Charlottesville, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Charlottesville 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.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.6
  • 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)
Review our Charlottesville Virginia short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

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.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Charlottesville.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Charlottesville Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

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

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.

Median Sale Price

$511,715

8% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$259

7% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,784

7% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Charlottesville, Virginia

Word Cloud for Charlottesville, Virginia Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Charlottesville 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 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.

Winery Tours

City Centre

Hiking

Antiquing

Mountain Biking

Adventure Activities

Horseback Riding

Wildlife Viewing

Cycling

Health Spa

Museums

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.

Well Known Attraction

University of Virginia

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Downtown Mall

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

University of Virginia Hospital

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

John Paul Jones Arena

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Monticello

Included on 90% of listings

Regional Landmark

Carter Mountain Orchard

Included on 89% of listings

Local Landmark

Scott Stadium

Included on 87% of listings

Regional Landmark

The Jefferson Theater

Included on 83% of listings

Regional Landmark

Trump Winery

Included on 80% of listings

Local Landmark

Paramount Theater

Included on 73% of listings

Local Landmark

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards

Included on 21% of listings

Regional Landmark

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

Precipitation
6.8"
Snowfall
13.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
50%

Spring

March through May

48° Low 68° High

Precipitation
9.8"
Snowfall
1.7"
Muggy Days
4.1 days
Cloudiness
48%

Summer

June through August

66° Low 85° High

Precipitation
9.8"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
53.1 days
Cloudiness
43%

Fall

September through November

49° Low 69° High

Precipitation
9.9"
Snowfall
0.5"
Muggy Days
10.0 days
Cloudiness
39%