Board approves special exception to allow 3‑room homestay at 1234 Carter Street in Crozet

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a special exception for a homestay at 1234 Carter Street in Crozet, allowing a resident manager to live on‑site and increasing permitted guest rooms from two to three. Francis McCall, deputy zoning administrator, told the board staff recommended approval because the parcel meets special‑exception factors and the basement renovation is in the final stages of permitting.

McCall said staff will verify the resident manager’s occupancy during the homestay zoning clearance — including a final building inspection and certificate of occupancy where required — and that code compliance will check for fire safety items such as interconnected smoke alarms and posted evacuation maps. “The confirmation of resident agency residency will be verified during the Homestay clearance process when staff visits the site and inspects the property for building and fire safety compliance,” McCall said.

Board members asked several detailed questions about basement egress, whether the resident manager must be named before final approval, and how the county enforces on‑site manager responsibilities. Manager of Code Compliance Lisa Green said the basement has an active building permit and staff will not approve the homestay clearance without the final inspection and confirmation of the resident manager. Supervisor Anne Malek, who made the motion to adopt the staff resolution, said she appreciated the attention to safety and the property’s historic context in Crozet.

The motion to adopt the resolution attached to the staff report passed on a roll‑call vote with all supervisors voting in favor. The county will require the applicant to complete the final inspections and the separate homestay zoning clearance before short‑term rentals can begin under the new exception.