Goochland planning commission recommends approval for short-term rental at 443 Wood Acres Road

The Goochland County Planning Commission on May 21 recommended approval of conditional use permit CU-20265 to allow an unhosted short-term rental on a roughly 3.5-acre parcel at 443 Wood Acres Road in District 4.

Ben Ellis, a planner with Goochland County, told commissioners the property is a single-family dwelling in an area designated by the comprehensive plan as "single-family residential low density." He said staff recommended the standard conditions for short-term rentals, including that occupancy be limited by the lesser of septic capacity or county limits and that, for this dwelling, occupancy was capped at six people. "The permit is valid for a period of five years," Ellis said, and staff included standard transfer and lease language and conditions addressing public safety and neighbor enjoyment.

Applicant Rebecca Ireland spoke from the lectern, identified herself and her Short Pump address, and described the property's rental history. "I have had three renters in there over the time that I have owned the place," Ireland said, adding that she markets to longer-term or corporate renters and enforces house rules such as no noise after 10 p.m. She told the commission one nearby neighbor attended the community meeting and raised no objections.

Commissioners asked how county enforcement interacts with owner-imposed rules. Ellis explained the county's code is enforced after 11 p.m.; he said private lease terms or platform agreements (for example, Airbnb) can be used by the property owner to enforce earlier quiet hours contractually. Commissioners discussed practical enforcement, guest screening and whether a homeowners'association applied; the applicant said there is no HOA and the property is part of a private road maintenance agreement.

The chair opened the public comment period for the item and closed it after no one else stepped forward. After a motion to recommend approval, and a second, the commission took a roll-call vote: McLaughlin, Dean, Kimmerle, Patuck and Kowalski voted yes. The motion passed 5-0. The planning commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors; the case was listed for the Board's July 7, 2026 meeting.

The planner noted the conditional use process carries specific code-based standards of review and that approval includes the standard conditions Ellis summarized. Any enforcement of private house rules remains a contractual matter between owner and guests; county code enforcement addresses violations of the zoning ordinance and other county codes after the statutory enforcement hour referenced in the presentation.

Steps ahead: the Board of Supervisors will consider the planning commission's recommendation on July 7, 2026. If the Board acts differently than the commission, that will be reflected in the Board's public hearing record.