Charlottesville, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Charlottesville Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.6
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Competition
7.1 -
Real Estate Cost
5.6 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
7.1 -
Rental Rates
6.6
Charlottesville, 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
- 46,553
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- March - May, September - November
- County
- Albemarle
- Airports
- Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO)
- Lynchburg Regional Preston Glenn Field (LYH)
Want to learn more about Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Charlottesville rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Charlottesville.
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 Charlottesville guests.
Interested in other Virginia cities?
Check out the Virginia short term rental regulations directory
What makes Charlottesville a great place to invest?
- Historic Charm and Architectural Wonders: Charlottesville is steeped in history, featuring beautiful architecture that reflects its rich past. Explore Monticello, the former home of President Thomas Jefferson, or the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, designed by Jefferson himself. These iconic landmarks showcase the city's significant role in American history.
- Thriving Food and Wine Scene: The surrounding region of Charlottesville is famous for its vineyards and wineries, offering a delightful gastronomic experience for visitors. Indulge in wine tastings and pairings at award-winning establishments like King Family Vineyards or Veritas Vineyard & Winery. The city's vibrant dining scene includes farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, and artisanal bakeries to satisfy every palate.
- Stunning Scenic Drives: Charlottesville is a gateway to the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, which offer breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These drives are perfect for leisurely drives, cycling, or hiking, with plenty of scenic overlooks and opportunities to spot local wildlife.
- Outdoor Adventures and Recreation: Enjoy the area's natural beauty by exploring the numerous parks and trails throughout Charlottesville. Hike through the lush landscapes of Shenandoah National Park or kayak down the Rivanna River. The city's parks also offer great spots for picnicking, bird-watching, and photography.
- Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene: Charlottesville boasts a lively arts community with galleries, theaters, and music venues showcasing local and international talent. Catch a performance at the historic Paramount Theater or visit the Virginia Film Festival to enjoy a diverse selection of films. The city also hosts numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Festival of the Photograph and the Virginia Festival of the Book.
- Top-Rated University: The prestigious University of Virginia (UVA) is a cornerstone of Charlottesville. The university's beautiful grounds, known as "The Lawn," are a must-see, and the school hosts various events, lectures, and sporting events open to the public. UVA's esteemed academics and lively campus life make it an attractive destination for students, scholars, and visitors alike.
Charlottesville Nearby Cities
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- Rating: 7.1
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- Rating: 6.4
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville has increased 8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $259, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$511,715
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Median per Square Foot
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$259
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,784
Local Short-Term Rental News for Charlottesville
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Charlottesville, Virginia
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 Charlottesville has a description approximately 1,638 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 876 listings in Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, Downtown Mall, UVA, Cottage, Main, Perfect, Quiet, Outdoor, Deck, and Spacious.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville involve Winery Tours, the City Centre, Hiking, Antiquing, and Mountain Biking. 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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Winery Tours
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City Centre
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Hiking
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Antiquing
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Mountain Biking
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Adventure Activities
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Horseback Riding
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Wildlife Viewing
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Cycling
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Health Spa
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Museums
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Kayaking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Charlottesville, including University of Virginia, Monticello, Downtown Mall, Trump Winery, and Blue Ridge Parkway North Entrance. 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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University of Virginia
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Downtown Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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University of Virginia Hospital
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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John Paul Jones Arena
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monticello
Included on 90% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Carter Mountain Orchard
Included on 89% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Scott Stadium
Included on 87% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Jefferson Theater
Included on 83% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Trump Winery
Included on 80% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Paramount Theater
Included on 73% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Included on 21% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Blue Ridge Parkway North Entrance
Included on 13% of listings
What’s the weather like in Charlottesville, Virginia?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 68°, while the average low is about 49°. 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 Charlottesville 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 49° High
Spring
March through May
48° Low 68° High
Summer
June through August
66° Low 85° High
Fall
September through November
49° Low 69° High
Cities Near Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia, is located in Albemarle County. Some cities that are located nearby include: