Amelia County adopts short‑term rental definition, asks staff to prepare tax and registry ordinances

The Amelia County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt revisions to the zoning ordinance that replace the outdated “tourist home” term with a state‑code definition of “short‑term rental,” making short‑term lodging of fewer than 30 consecutive days a defined use in several zoning districts and clarifying permit requirements.

Planning staff told the board the proposed definition is “drawn from state code” and clarifies that a short‑term rental is a dwelling unit offered for lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The change removes the old 14‑person threshold tied to non‑dwelling uses and treats houses used as short‑term rentals as dwelling units rather than hotels or inns.

Board members discussed companion policies that would follow the ordinance change. County staff recommended preparing a transient occupancy tax (TOT) and a registration or licensing registry for short‑term rentals, citing enforcement and public‑safety reasons. “You can create a registry … so that you have a handle on [properties] for public safety purposes,” a board member said during the discussion.

The board voted to accept the ordinance as updated and directed staff to draft a TOT ordinance and a short‑term rental registry for the board’s future consideration. The vote was taken by voice; members indicated support and the motion carried.

Next steps: planning staff said the change will appear before the planning commission and then return to the board with companion ordinances (TOT and registry) if the board elects to pursue them. If adopted later, those ordinances would require separate votes and would set any tax rate or registration requirements.