PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth remains one of the only cities in the region without policies regulating short-term rentals such as Airbnbs and Vrbo. But city officials are working to put regulations on the books following public safety incidents and nuisance concerns.

The city is looking to its neighbors across Hampton Roads for guidance on regulations that would allow it to rein in a majority of short-term rentals that might be deemed noncompliant under state law.

Portsmouth City Council members met last week to begin discussing what regulations and enforcement they’d like to see, with a focus on preventing public safety issues. In January 2024, Portsmouth police reported a 15-year-old boy was killed on North Street from a shooting started at a nearby Airbnb in the Olde Towne area.

But council members also said they’ve received numerous calls from residents complaining about nuisance-related concerns, such as parking, trash and noise. They emphasized the need to balance such concerns with property rights, business opportunities and embracing tourists as the city works to bring in more hotels.

“(You) feel the pressure as a locality and appointed and elected members of the community to provide some relief to property owners so that … ‘my quiet and peaceful enjoyment of my property does not cause a burden on your ability to quietly and peacefully enjoy your property,’ ” said Planning Director Rhonda Russell during the Sept. 9 public work session.

Russell said since Portsmouth doesn’t have any short-term rental policies, the city defers to Virginia code that allows property owners to rent out their dwellings for less than 30 days to other parties as long as the owner lives in the property. It’s allowed by-right, and a business license is not currently required.

But an anecdotal search, Russell said, showed “more than 20 pages” of available Airbnb and Vrbo listings, with nearly all considered out of compliance with state code as they rent out all bedrooms and bathrooms.

In fact, only six property owners operating short-term rentals have received zoning clearances from the city, Russell said.

“We have a problem. And without address, that’s a problem that will probably bubble up and get worse,” she said.

Permit and license requirements as well as specific locations for short-term rentals vary across the region, according to Russell’s presentation.

Operators in Norfolk must obtain a conditional use permit or zoning permit and a business license, with a maximum of two guests per bedroom, up to 10 total. Parking must be off-street. Hampton requires a use permit and inspections, limiting the number of short-term rentals to no more than 1% of all dwellings in a zone.

Newport News allows a maximum of six dwellers, and property owners must be primary residents of the dwelling. Chesapeake allows such rentals with a conditional use permit in agricultural and historic overlay zones. Virginia Beach is considering changes to its rules that would shift violations from civil to criminal penalties.

Ideally, Russell said a policy in Portsmouth would address registration and licensing, minimum permit requirements, occupancy limits, parking, fire safety, insurance, inspections, tax collection and enforcement measures like fines, suspensions or revoking permits.

“(That’s) an opportunity to capture missed revenue as well as regulate location,” Russell said. “So occupancy taxes, inspection fees, registration fees will help with the burden of enforcement that comes along with regulating the use.”

Russell said her team and city staff will provide an outline of fiscal impacts and stakeholder engagement plans and incorporate all feedback for a vote on an ordinance by June. Council members also suggested a task force to further study the issue, noting a group of residents have expressed interest in doing that in Olde Towne.

Vice Mayor Bill Moody said he’d like to explore identification requirements similar to what hotels require upon check-in. Council member Yolanda Thomas asked about data on the number of short-term rentals that have been linked to crime and public safety issues like loud parties and underage drinking. Council member Kathryn Bryant asked for more information on how the growing number of short-term rentals competes with the city’s available housing supply.

Mayor Shannon Glover asked about impacts to property values and urged a need to collect taxes since all other property and business owners are expected to pay certain taxes as well.

Council member Bill Dodson Jr. said he rents out some property through Airbnb and requires a two-night stay minimum, which eliminates many concerns with parties.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/17/portsmouth-short-term-rental/