Source: Airbtics Dashboard

Airbnb Regulations in Washington DC and Neighboring Cities

It’s crucial to follow the short-term rental regulations in your prospective market. Doing so will ensure that you will not have any legal problems down the line. So here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

1. WASHINGTON DC

Hosts planning to have an investment property in Washington DC should first apply for a Short-Term or Vacation Rental License to kick off their Airbnb. 

In a Short-Term rental, the host should also be on the same property, which has a spare bedroom for their Airbnb guests. Only the presence of the host differentiates a Short-Term Rental from Vacation Rental, as defined by the local government of the District of Columbia.

2. ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

The short-term rental operator must be the property owner and reside on the property for at least 185 days per year. To operate the rental, they must obtain a biennial Short-Term Rental Permit, which costs $300 and covers administration and monitoring expenses. The permit is valid from January 1 of the year it is obtained until December 31 of the following year, regardless of the acquisition date.

3. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

The local government of Baltimore requires hosts to secure a license from the Housing Commissioner. It also requires the host to be a permanent resident of the investment property. 

This means that they should also reside there for at least 180 days annually. Baltimore is 35 miles from Washington, DC (54 minutes drive).

4. RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

A Short-Term Rental Permit is required to operate an Airbnb property in Richmond. Click here to apply. Richmond is 98 miles from Washington (1 hour and 44 minutes drive).

5. CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

Hosts are required to obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Commissioner of Revenue before engaging in an Airbnb business. Charlottesville is 99 miles southwest of Washington DC (2 hours and 10 minutes drive).

How To Use Data Analytics in Finding Profitable Airbnb Markets?

Airbtics gives 2 options to help you find profitable short-term rental markets:

1. You can use the Discovery Tool to get a general overview of your prospective Airbnb market. Simply type in your chosen city, and you will instantly see the following:

• • Market Name
  • The Best Number of Bedrooms
  • Market Size
  • Market Type
  • Gross Rental Yield

You can also see the neighboring cities of your chosen market. This will widen your horizon and inform you of other best Airbnb locations to invest in. If you’re lucky, you might end up entering a more profitable one than what you originally had in mind!