The Cape Charles Town Council held an emergency meeting on Thursday, extending the compliance deadline for some short-term rental operators after delays tied to the town’s new online STR processing system left a number of applicants unable to complete the certification process on time.
Under current town policy, April 15, 2026, was established as the deadline for timely submission of Short-Term Rental applications for the 2026 fiscal year. According to town staff, many STR owners and property managers successfully met that deadline through the town’s new Rentalscape online portal.
However, officials say ongoing technical and administrative challenges associated with the new software rollout have slowed the review and approval process.
Town staff reported that approximately one-third of applicants who submitted their materials online on or before the April 15 deadline have not yet been able to complete the full certification process “through no fault of their own.”
In response, staff is recommending that the town grant an extension through June 30, 2026, for applicants who submitted their STR applications on time using the Rentalscape portal.
If approved, those applicants would not be considered in violation of the town’s Short-Term Rental ordinance under Chapter 32, Article IV, Section 32-104 of the Town Code.
The recommendation comes as Cape Charles continues transitioning to its updated online STR management system, which was introduced to streamline annual licensing, compliance reviews, and tax reporting for short-term rental operators.
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