CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Town of Cape Charles will only be accepting short-term rental (STR) applications using the online Customer Portal, marking a significant shift away from the town’s previous paper-based system as officials prepare for the 2026 rental season.
The platform will handle all STR applications, renewals, and payments, streamlining what had historically been a manual and time-intensive process. Town officials say the change is designed to improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, and provide clearer coordination across multiple departments involved in STR oversight.
Once an application is submitted through the portal, it will undergo a structured review involving three town departments:
- Finance Department: Verifies property ownership against deed records, confirms county taxes are current, and ensures no outstanding town fees or unpaid transient occupancy taxes (TOT).
- Building Department: Schedules and conducts physical inspections to ensure the property meets safety standards, occupancy limits, and applicable building codes.
- Zoning Department: Reviews site documentation, including bedroom layouts, parking plans, and existing conditions, while confirming compliance with current STR ordinances.
After completing these steps, the Planning Director and Zoning Administrator will issue the official STR Certificate via email in PDF format.
Town officials emphasized that applications will be processed in the order received, and applicants should expect communication from multiple departments during the review.
What Applicants Need to Prepare
To complete the application, property owners must gather detailed information in advance, including:
- Property owner and (if applicable) property manager contact details
- A designated 24/7 local contact
- Bedroom count and maximum occupancy
- Estimated and prior-year gross revenue
- Required affidavits and authorization documents
- Payment information
Applicants are advised to have all materials ready before starting, as the system does not allow users to save partial applications.
Payments and Fees
The portal accepts:
- Credit cards (Visa/Mastercard): 2.9% + $0.30 fee
- e-Check payments: $2.50 fee
Training and Reporting Updates
Training resources for the new system are in development, with instructional videos for applicants and property managers expected soon. A separate training module for quarterly TOT reporting is scheduled for release by April 1.
Until then, monthly TOT reporting for 2025 will remain paper-based, and users are advised not to submit electronic TOT reports through the portal before April 1, 2026. The shift to quarterly TOT reporting was approved by Town Council in December 2025.
New Rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Recent changes adopted under Ordinance 2026115B now allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be used as short-term rentals. However, new restrictions apply:
- Only one unit per property—either the primary dwelling or the ADU—may be used as an STR in a given calendar year.
- ADUs used as STRs must comply fully with all STR zoning and occupancy requirements.
- Additional affidavits are required during the application process.
Purpose Behind STR Regulations
Town officials say the STR ordinance framework, adopted in late 2024, is intended to balance economic opportunity with community character. The regulations aim to:
- Ensure guest safety
- Maintain neighborhood integrity
- Monitor STR density across zoning districts
- Align STR operations with business licensing requirements
Assistance Available
Applicants with questions or needing help navigating the new system are encouraged to contact the town:
- Email: inspector@capecharles.org
- Phone: (757) 331-3259, ext. 42
As Cape Charles continues refining its STR program, officials are asking for patience as staff work through applications and transition to the new digital system ahead of the busy 2026 season.
About the Author
“Building Department: Schedules and conducts physical inspections to ensure the property meets safety standards, occupancy limits, and applicable building codes.”
This procedure will ensure that no STR permits will be issued for 2026.
If you need to rent your vacation property to help pay the mortgage, then you could not afford it to begin with.
Stu Stu and I actually agree for once.