Norfolk, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Norfolk 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
    5.8
  • Competition

    5.7
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.2
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    5.7
  • Rental Rates

    3.8

Norfolk, 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
238,005
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Norfolk
Airports
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)
Review our Norfolk Virginia short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Norfolk?

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 Norfolk rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Norfolk rental market.

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Norfolk 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 Norfolk guests.

Interested in other Virginia cities?

Check out the Virginia short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Norfolk a great place to invest?

  • Rich Maritime History: Home to the world's largest naval base, Norfolk offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in maritime history. Don't miss the Nauticus Maritime Center, where you can explore the battleship USS Wisconsin and learn about the city's naval heritage.
  • Thriving Arts Scene: Norfolk's revitalized downtown area boasts a thriving arts scene, with venues such as the Chrysler Museum of Art, Harrison Opera House, and the vibrant NEON Arts District, where you can discover a myriad of galleries, studios, and street art.
  • Diverse Culinary Delights: Treat your taste buds to an array of culinary delights in Norfolk, from fresh seafood caught right off the coast to globally inspired fare. Enjoy waterfront dining at Waterside District or indulge in local flavors at the popular Norfolk Farmers Market.
  • Old Dominion University: This premier institution attracts students and scholars from around the world. Visitors can explore its beautiful campus, attend engaging lectures and events, or cheer on the Monarchs at a sports game.
  • Outdoor Adventures: With its prime coastal location, Norfolk offers an array of outdoor activities for all ages. Kayak through the tranquil Lafayette River, cycle along the scenic Elizabeth River Trail, or take a sunset cruise on the American Rover sailboat.
  • Stunning Natural Parks: Norfolk is home to numerous parks that showcase the region's natural beauty. Wander through the lush landscapes of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, encounter diverse wildlife at First Landing State Park, or relax by the water at Ocean View Beach Park.

Norfolk Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Norfolk?

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 Norfolk has increased 4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $193, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$301,896

4% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$193

4% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,686

5% YoY

Property Descriptions

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

Word Cloud for Norfolk, Virginia Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Norfolk 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 Norfolk has a description approximately 1,201 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 1,549 listings in Norfolk, 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 Beach, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Place, Perfect, Family, Quiet, Comfortable, Smart, and Ocean View.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Norfolk?

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 Norfolk involve going to the Beach, the Marina, the City Centre, Boating, and Outlet Shopping. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Beach

Marina

City Centre

Boating

Outlet Shopping

Museums

Zoo

Swimming

Adventure Activities

Health Spa

Water Sports

Kayaking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Norfolk, including Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia Beach Town Center, Old Dominion University, Waterside Festival Marketplace, and Norfolk Premium Outlets. 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.

Regional Landmark

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Norfolk Premium Outlets

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Naval Station Norfolk

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Old Dominion University

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

USS Wisconsin BB-64

Included on most listings

Well Known Attraction

Virginia Beach Town Center

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Waterside Festival Marketplace

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Chesapeake Beach

Included on 91% of listings

Local Landmark

Chrysler Museum of Art

Included on 89% of listings

Local Landmark

Mount Trashmore Park

Included on 84% of listings

Regional Landmark

Buckroe Beach and Park

Included on 68% of listings

Regional Landmark

Gallery of Military Circle

Included on 65% of listings

What’s the weather like in Norfolk, Virginia?

The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 69°, while the average low is about 54°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 41 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 5 inches per year. The humidity levels in Norfolk 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

37° Low 52° High

Precipitation
8.8"
Snowfall
4.2"
Muggy Days
0.2 days
Cloudiness
49%

Spring

March through May

51° Low 69° High

Precipitation
9.6"
Snowfall
0.4"
Muggy Days
6.6 days
Cloudiness
46%

Summer

June through August

71° Low 86° High

Precipitation
12.0"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
65.2 days
Cloudiness
45%

Fall

September through November

55° Low 71° High

Precipitation
10.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
17.8 days
Cloudiness
39%