Sec. 86-522

Extracted standards

17 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.

From the ordinance

Prior to using a dwelling as a short-term rental, the operator shall obtain a special use permit for the unit. The operator of a short-term rental must obtain a business license prior to operating or advertising the property for short-term rental. The operator must collect and remit the town's transient lodging tax and other applicable fees as specified in chapter 70 entitled 'Taxation.' On or before May 1 of each year, the operator shall register the address of any dwelling unit to be used for short-term rental with the zoning administrator. This requirement shall not apply to persons who are exempt pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 15.2-983(B)(2), as amended. Every operator filing registration forms with the zoning administrator shall pay an initial registration fee and an annual renewal fee as listed in the town's most current master list of fees, rates and charges. A short-term rental may only provide short-term occupancy services for compensation for guests including lodging, packaged food and beverages, and other incidental items typically found within a residence. The short-term rental must not prepare food or beverages or unrelated services for compensation. Accessory structures shall not be used or occupied for short-term rentals and only one short-term rental shall be permitted on any lot in a residential zoning district. If the operator of a short-term rental does not live within 30 miles of the town, he/she must designate on the application for a business license a responsible local agent to contact in case of emergencies. Any building offered for use as a short-term rental shall meet the requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code with a certificate of occupancy for each dwelling unit. The minimum short-term rental contract shall be 24 hours. The maximum number of adult occupants in a dwelling unit offered for short-term rental shall not exceed four unrelated individuals with at least one being 18 years of age or older. Short-term rental parking shall be provided that is adequate for all guests and shall be in driveways or other parking areas associated with the property and designed and built to be parking areas. Parking of guest vehicles in or along rights-of-way is prohibited. Signs for short-term rentals shall be permitted in all residential districts. a. Signs shall not be illuminated. b. The maximum number of signs per residential lot is one. c. Sign shall not exceed three square feet. d. The location of the sign placement must be approved by the administrator prior to construction or placement. Events, including luncheons, banquets, parties, weddings, meetings, fund raising, commercial or advertising activities, and any gathering of persons other than the authorized guests for similar activities, whether for direct or indirect compensation, are prohibited in association with any short-term rental. Three violations of state or local laws, ordinances or regulations for a property offered for short-term rental and directly related to the short-term rental shall result in the use no longer being permitted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, failure to comply with this subsection, including registration requirement, will result in a $500.00 penalty per property violation. Until such a time that the operator pays the penalty, the property may not be offered as a short-term rental. The owner of a dwelling used for short-term rental shall give the town, or its duly authorized agent, written consent to inspect any dwelling used for short-term rental to ascertain compliance with all state or local laws, ordinances, or regulations on 48 hours' notice to the owner given by text or e-mail.