Alexandria, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Alexandria Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The City of Alexandria allows the use of short-term rentals. The short-term rental must complete the short-term residential registration. For more information, view the following resources:Business License Requirements
You must complete the short-term residential registration if you operate one or more short-term residential rentals in the City of Alexandria.The City of Alexandria Code Section 3-2-152 requires the operator of each short-term residential rental property to register with the Department of Finance annually. Please complete the online registry reporting each platform you use to advertise your property.
Building and Housing Standards
The City of Alexandria has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Contact the Department of Planning and Zoning for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
All individuals, partnerships, or corporations engaged in renting daily rental property are classified as retail merchants for City business license tax purposes. Such merchants must collect from consumers a tax on all daily rentals instead of a business personal property tax on the rental property.Short-term rental properties are already subject to the following taxes:
- State and local Sales Taxes totaling 6% must be collected from the renter and remitted by the operator to the Virginia Department of Taxation.
- Regional and local Transient Lodging Taxes of 8.5% plus $1 per room per night must be collected from the renter and remitted by the operator to the City of Alexandria for any rental that can lodge four or more persons at any one time.
- The operator must obtain a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) if their gross revenue exceeds $10,000 annually and they rent more than four separate dwelling units (each having cooking facilities). A BPOL license is only required if they meet these two conditions.
- Short-Term (Daily) Rental Tax
- City of Alexandria Business Tax Division
- Virginia Department of Taxation – Sales Tax
Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Alexandria for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.5
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Competition
3.5 -
Real Estate Cost
4.2 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
4.1 -
Rental Rates
7.7
Alexandria, Virginia Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 159,467
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Alexandria
- Airports
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- College Park (CGS)
Want to learn more about Alexandria?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Alexandria rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Alexandria rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Alexandria.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Alexandria guests.
Interested in other Virginia cities?
Check out the Virginia Airbnb rules directory
What makes Alexandria a great place to invest?
- Historic Old Town: Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture, boutique shops, and cozy eateries. Don't miss out on King Street, the city's main thoroughfare, bustling with activity, entertainment, and local artisans.
- Waterfront Excursions: Discover the scenic Potomac River with a variety of water-based activities. Enjoy sightseeing cruises, rent a kayak, or take a water taxi to the National Harbor, offering stunning views of the city's shoreline and iconic landmarks.
- Torpedo Factory Art Center: Explore this vibrant art center, home to the largest collection of working artist studios in the U.S. The former World War II torpedo factory now houses more than 80 artists, galleries, and workshops, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts.
- George Washington's Mount Vernon: Step back in time at the first president's magnificent plantation home. Wander the expansive gardens, immerse yourself in interactive exhibits, and learn about the life and legacy of George Washington through guided tours and engaging storytelling.
- Outdoor Adventures: With numerous parks, biking trails, and green spaces, Alexandria offers an abundance of outdoor activities. Bike along the Mount Vernon Trail, picnic at waterfront parks, or immerse yourself in nature at the tranquil Dora Kelley Nature Park.
- Proximity to World-Class Education: Alexandria's prime location near Washington, D.C., provides easy access to prestigious universities such as Georgetown, George Washington, and American University. Visit these historic campuses or attend cultural events and lectures for a taste of academic excellence.
Alexandria Nearby Cities
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7 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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28 miles away
- Rating: 6.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Alexandria?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Alexandria has decreased -1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $503, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$677,973
-1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$503
-2% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,465
3% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Alexandria
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Alexandria, Virginia
Common terms for Alexandria short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Alexandria has a description approximately 1,662 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 6,240 listings in Alexandria, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are DC, Block, Place, Old Town, Washington DC, NumberHosted, Perfect, Metro, Easy, and Walking.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Alexandria?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Alexandria involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Outlet Shopping, the Zoo, and Cycling. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Outlet Shopping
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Zoo
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Cycling
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Hiking
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Adventure Activities
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Health Spa
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Antiquing
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Marina
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Boating
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Paddle Boating
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Alexandria, including National Mall, White House, Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, and George Washington University. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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National Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Washington Monument
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Arlington National Cemetery
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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George Washington University
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Lincoln Memorial
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Smithsonian Institution
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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International Spy Museum
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Jefferson Memorial
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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White House
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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National Air and Space Museum
Included on nearly all listings
What’s the weather like in Alexandria, Virginia?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 67°, while the average low is about 51°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 36 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 15 inches per year. The humidity levels in Alexandria are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
32° Low 46° High
Spring
March through May
49° Low 66° High
Summer
June through August
70° Low 86° High
Fall
September through November
52° Low 68° High
Cities Near Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia, is located in Alexandria County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
