Cape Charles Proposes Violations and Enforcement Measures for Short-Term Rentals

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — As part of the proposed zoning text amendment to regulate short-term rentals (STRs), the Cape Charles Town Council and Planning Commission have outlined specific violations that may result in the denial or revocation of an STR zoning permit. These measures, designed to ensure compliance and maintain community standards, were discussed in detail during the public hearing held at the Cape Charles Civic Center on October 21.

The new regulations will allow the town to deny an STR permit for several reasons, including failure to obtain or maintain a business license, unpaid property or business taxes, and falsification of town forms. Additionally, violations related to the building code, zoning laws, and occupancy limits may also result in permit denial if not addressed in a timely manner.

Under the proposed ordinance, STR operators will receive reasonable notice of violations from an authorized town official. “Reasonable notice” is defined as giving the permit holder or agent 24 hours to resolve the issue after being notified by the town. If the violation is not corrected within that time frame, the town may take further action.

In response to concerns raised by residents, town officials emphasized that individual nuisance or noise violations would be issued directly to the offending party, not the STR permit holder. However, the permit holder could still face consequences for repeated violations.

The town’s enforcement team, including the Town Manager, Treasurer, Zoning Administrator, Building Code Official, and Police Chief, will be responsible for investigating any complaints or permit violations. Once a violation is confirmed, the Zoning Administrator will issue the formal notice of the violation.

Owners and operators who lose their STR permit due to violations will not be eligible to reapply for the permit for the entirety of the following calendar year. Following this period, they must obtain a new business license, submit a new STR zoning permit application, and undergo an inspection to requalify.

Before any permit denial takes effect, the town will provide written notice to the STR owner or operator. The notice will include a detailed description of the violations, necessary corrective actions, and information regarding the right to appeal the decision within 30 days, as outlined by the Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2311(A).

With these enforcement measures, Cape Charles aims to ensure that short-term rentals operate in a manner that protects the town’s residential character while providing owners with clear guidelines on compliance.