Arlington, Virginia Short-Term Rental Market
Arlington requires host primary residence; September 2026 Washington metro ADR is $170, occupancy 65.6%, monthly revenue $3,036.
Quick Answer: Arlington, Virginia is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Washington DC market area is 66%. average monthly revenue in the Washington DC market area is $3,036. average daily rate in the Washington DC market area is $170. the top operator in the Washington DC market area is Blueground with 664 listings. market score is 50/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Washington DC regional market, which includes Arlington. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Arlington.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Arlington, Virginia sits across the Potomac from Washington, DC, and its short-term rental performance is reported at the level of the Washington, DC metro area STR market. Every performance figure on this page describes that metro area market rather than Arlington alone. As of September 2026, the Washington, DC metro area STR market averaged an ADR of $170 and occupancy of 65.6%, producing average monthly revenue of $3,036 per listing. Compared with a year earlier, occupancy rose 5.9%, ADR rose 0.6%, and revenue rose 9.7%, so most of the gain came from more booked nights rather than higher rates. Entire-place rentals averaged an ADR of $208 and monthly revenue of $3,641, well ahead of the all-listings figure. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Arlington, so this profile omits them. Demand in Arlington itself is institutional and runs through the year. The county, home to 236,254 residents, drew 7.1 million visitors in 2023 who spent a record $4.5 billion, 2% above 2019 levels, although visitor counts have not yet returned to the 8 million peak of 2019. Arlington National Cemetery alone draws about 3 million visits a year, and the Pentagon, federal agencies, and defense-sector employers generate steady business travel. Other guests use Arlington as a walkable, transit-connected base for the wider DC area. Investors should weigh the market data against the local rules. Arlington permits accessory homestays by right, but the host must occupy the home as a primary residence, so these figures are not open to non-resident investors operating a second property. The regulatory section covers the permit, tax, and zoning details. Housing data show a typical Arlington home value of $823,028, a high entry cost for anyone buying a primary residence with hosting in mind.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 52% |
| Feb | 59% |
| Mar | 70% |
| Apr | 67% |
| May | 71% |
| Jun | 74% |
| Jul | 71% |
| Aug | 66% |
| Sep | 66% |
| Oct | 69% |
| Nov | 60% |
| Dec | 58% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Arlington are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Washington DC market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Washington DC market as a whole, which includes Arlington, so these counts are not Arlington-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blueground | 664 | 514 | ★ 4.36 |
| 2 | WeHost | 373 | 6,479 | ★ 4.28 |
| 3 | Sojourn | 323 | 13,478 | ★ 4.75 |
| 4 | Global Luxury Suites | 231 | 2,897 | ★ 4.20 |
| 5 | Evolve | 223 | 5,141 | ★ 4.39 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Arlington?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Arlington are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 67% |
| vrbo | 4.9% |
| both | 28.1% |
Home Value Trends (Arlington)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Arlington are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Arlington — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Arlington County permits short-term rentals under an Accessory Homestay framework first adopted in December 2016. Homestays are allowed by right in residential and commercial or mixed-use zoning districts, but the host, whether an owner or a tenant, must live in the unit as a primary residence for at least 185 days a year. Non-resident investors cannot legally operate an accessory homestay. Ownership is not required, because the January 2017 amendment extended eligibility to tenants. A biennial Accessory Homestay Permit is required at a $63 filing fee, along with a county business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue. Before a permit is issued, certified-mail notice must go to abutting neighbors and, in multi-unit buildings, to units across the hall, above, and below. Hosts must name a 24/7 local contact within 30 miles and maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and an accessible fire extinguisher. Detached accessory structures such as guest cottages are prohibited. In multi-unit buildings, the greater of one unit or 25% of units may operate concurrently. Only one rental contract is allowed per overnight stay, stays must be under 30 days, and events, weddings, and parties are prohibited. Guest occupancy is capped at the greater of 6 people or 2 per bedroom, with a hard cap of 12. There is no cap on rental nights per year. The occupancy tax is 8.25%, and since 2022 booking platforms collect and remit it directly. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
The Washington, DC metro area STR market runs at 65.6% occupancy and a $170 ADR. Entire-place listings at $208 and professionally managed listings at $210 sit above the all-listings rate, while luxury listings at $375 sit far above it. The profile is an occupancy-driven market where volume of booked nights carries revenue, helped by steady government, defense, and memorial-related travel. Year-over-year gains of 5.9% in occupancy and 9.7% in revenue show the market recovering from the 64.3% occupancy recorded in 2025. Arlington’s rules are a further difference from many national markets: the primary residence requirement limits supply to resident hosts, though the county sets no annual night cap. Top operator names and listing counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Arlington, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arlington, Virginia
Can investors who do not live in Arlington run a short-term rental?
What is the average Airbnb ADR and occupancy for Arlington, VA?
What permit does Arlington require for short-term rentals?
What tax applies to short-term rentals in Arlington?
Which months are best for short-term rental income in Arlington?
How much does a typical home cost in Arlington?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
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