2022 STR Ordinance
The purpose of the STR Ordinance is to establish regulations for the use of privately owned dwellings as Short Term Rentals, to minimize negative ancillary impact on surrounding properties, and to ensure the collection and payment of Hotel Occupancy Taxes.
The City of Fredericksburg defines Short-Term Rentals (STRs) as a privately owned dwelling, including but not limited to, a single family dwelling, multiple family attached dwelling, apartment house, condominium, duplex, mobile home, or any portion of such dwellings, rented by the public for consideration, and used for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes for any period less than thirty (30) days.
A Short-Term Rental Permit must be issued by the City of Fredericksburg authorizing the use of a privately owned dwelling as a Short-Term Rental.
Click here to read the STR FAQ's and Fact Sheet provided by city officials.
NON-CONFORMING
(AKA Grandfathered)
If your STR property was originally permitted prior to April 1, 2022, and the permit has been maintained, you will fall under the rules lined out in the ordinance below.
2018 Short Term Rental Ordinance
Adopted April 1, 2018
REVOKABLE OFFENSES
Can I lose my permit?
Upon conviction for a violation of this Section 5.401 (Beginning on page 79 of the 2022 Ordinance), the City Manager may suspend or revoke any Short Term Rental Permit issued for the same Short Term Rental where the violation occurred.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the City Manager may not suspend or revoke any Short Term Rental Permit for convictions related to
-
the City Noise and Sound Level Regulation Ordinances (Article VI of Chapter 20)
-
the City Sign ordinances (Chapter 29)
-
the City Garbage Collection ordinances (Chapter 32)
-
the City Outdoor Lighting ordinances (Article XV of Chapter 5)
-
or the City Water Conservation ordinances (Article II of Chapter 47)
Occupancy
(Exhibit M, page 1 of 5)
Maximum occupancy for a short term rental shall be limited to two Occupants per bedroom, plus two (2) additional Occupants, (e.g., A three (3) bedroom home may be permitted for a maximum of (8) eight guests), but in no case shall maximum occupancy exceed a combined total of twelve (12) Occupants
Maximum occupancy under this sub-section is only applicable to the number of persons eighteen (18) years of age or older that are renting the temporary transient lodging for a specified period of occupancy, and excludes any other persons visiting the Occupants at the location of the temporary transient lodging.
Noise
Quiet Hours: 10:00 pm to 7:00 am
Max 55 dB
This is equivalent to a dishwasher running or a coffeemaker percolating. The average quiet two-person conversation is 60+ dB
Each STR use shall have one or more signs posted in prominent locations in the rear yard, near pools, hot tubs, and fire pits, and near other common gathering areas, providing the occupants and guests with notice of the Nighttime Hours, as set forth in Section 20-207 of the City's Noise and Sound Level Regulation ordinance.
Outdoor Lighting
All external lighting shall comply with the City's Outdoor Lighting ordinance set forth in Article XV of Chapter 5 (Buildings and Building Regulations) of the City Code of
Ordinances.
- Requirements set forth in the International Dark Sky Association community guidelines.
Water Conservation
Water use is dependent upon what DROUGHT STAGE we are in. Follow link above to stay aware and adjust your watering schedule appropriately.
Please consider Registering with Sensus Analytics to monitor the water usage at your property.
Follow this link for more details regarding water usage. BE AWARE - It is not uncommon for sprinkler systems to reset themselves after a power outage. This could result in you receiving a fine for watering on the incorrect day or time.
Trash & Solid Waste
Each STR shall provide a minimum of one (1) ninety-six gallon (96 gal) bulk garbage
container capacity, or equivalent, for every six (6) Occupants, based on the maximum permitted occupancy for the STR.
-
This subsection shall apply to all new and existing STRs.
-
This requirement does not apply to those properties that utilize commercial trash pickup or dumpsters.
Residential garbage collection is provided once weekly. Your garbage should be placed at your designated curb location for pickup by 7:00 am. Please make certain the arrow is pointing toward the street (wheels to the curb). If your collection day falls on a holiday, it will be picked up as usual.