Is Cherrydale, Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Cherrydale, Virginia, begin by researching Arlington County's short-term rental regulations, as Cherrydale falls under Arlington County jurisdiction, which requires hosts to obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate and comply with zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to primary residences with a maximum of 30 days per year unless you obtain a Conditional Use Permit. Contact Arlington County's Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development at 703-228-3525 to understand specific permit requirements, which may include a business license ($30-50 annually) and compliance with fire safety codes. Find a suitable property by purchasing or securing landlord permission if renting, ensuring it meets county occupancy standards and HOA restrictions common in Cherrydale neighborhoods. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as required by Arlington County fire codes. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos, competitive pricing ($80-150/night typical for Cherrydale area), and highlight proximity to Washington DC metro access via nearby Ballston-MU station. Manage your property by maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, collecting and remitting the 5.75% Virginia sales tax plus Arlington County's transient occupancy tax, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while ensuring compliance with the county's noise ordinances and parking restrictions that are strictly enforced in residential Cherrydale areas.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Cherrydale, Virginia, focus on properties within walking distance of the Cherrydale Metro station and along Lee Highway for easy access to Washington DC, targeting 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1980 with modern amenities, parking, and outdoor space that appeal to business travelers and tourists visiting the capital region. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in nearby Arlington neighborhoods like Ballston and Clarendon, aiming for properties that can command $100-150 per night while keeping acquisition costs under $600,000 to maintain healthy profit margins after mortgage, taxes, and operating expenses. Conduct competition research using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess occupancy rates and average daily rates in the 22207 zip code, while monitoring supply density to avoid oversaturated micro-markets. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Arlington County records to evaluate potential returns, and consider properties near Reagan National Airport, Arlington Cemetery, and downtown DC attractions that consistently attract both leisure and business travelers year-round, ensuring compliance with Arlington County's short-term rental regulations and zoning requirements.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Cherrydale, Virginia, you must apply through Arlington County since Cherrydale is an unincorporated community within Arlington County. First, submit an application to the Arlington County Zoning Office located at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201, or apply online through the county's permitting portal. Required documents include a completed short-term rental registration form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and parking plan documentation. The registration fee is approximately $150-200 annually, with additional inspection fees of around $100-150 if required. You must also obtain a business license from Arlington County for approximately $50-75. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing once all documents are submitted. Specific Arlington County requirements include limiting occupancy to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests maximum, maintaining off-street parking for each rental unit, ensuring the property meets all building and fire safety codes, displaying the registration number in all advertisements, and submitting annual renewal applications. Properties in certain zoning districts may have additional restrictions, and some homeowner associations in Cherrydale may prohibit short-term rentals, so verify HOA rules before applying.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Cherrydale, Virginia are subject to Arlington County regulations, which generally allow STRs but with significant restrictions. As of 2023, Arlington County permits short-term rentals in residential areas including Cherrydale, but requires hosts to obtain a use permit and business license, limits rentals to no more than 90 days per year for non-hosted properties, and mandates that hosted rentals (where the owner is present) can operate year-round. The county prohibits STRs in certain zoning districts and requires compliance with safety standards, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Recent changes around 2021-2022 tightened regulations by implementing the 90-day annual limit for unhosted rentals and strengthening enforcement mechanisms. Properties must meet specific criteria including adequate parking, and hosts must register with the county, pay applicable taxes, and maintain liability insurance, making STRs legal but heavily regulated in Cherrydale.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Cherrydale, Virginia include the neighborhoods closest to Arlington's Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, particularly properties within walking distance of the Ballston-MU Metro station, as this area attracts significant business travelers working in nearby corporate offices and government contractors. The residential streets between Wilson Boulevard and Washington Boulevard offer excellent potential due to their proximity to both Metro access and local dining establishments, making them attractive to tourists visiting Washington DC who prefer quieter accommodations outside the city center. Properties near the intersection of Lee Highway and Glebe Road are particularly valuable for short-term rentals because they provide easy access to both Reagan National Airport (approximately 10 minutes) and downtown DC (15-20 minutes via Metro), appealing to business travelers, government employees, and tourists attending events at venues like the Kennedy Center or Capitol Hill. The tree-lined streets south of Wilson Boulevard toward Arlington Boulevard are ideal for families and longer-stay guests visiting the Smithsonian museums or attending events at venues like the Washington Convention Center, as these properties offer parking and a suburban feel while maintaining urban accessibility.

Airbnb properties in Cherrydale, Virginia are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Virginia's state transient occupancy tax of 5.3% and Arlington County's local transient occupancy tax of 7.5%, totaling 12.8% in combined lodging taxes. These taxes apply to stays of less than 30 consecutive days and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Virginia around 2019. Airbnb remits these taxes quarterly to the Virginia Department of Taxation and Arlington County on behalf of hosts, though individual hosts remain responsible for registering with local tax authorities and ensuring compliance. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient occupancy taxes, and certain government employees or long-term medical patients may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation. Hosts should also be aware that rental income is subject to standard Virginia state income tax and federal income tax requirements, and properties generating significant revenue may need to collect and remit Virginia sales tax of 5.3% plus local sales tax.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Cherrydale, Virginia is approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase costs around $550,000-$650,000 based on median home prices in this Arlington County neighborhood. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Arlington County requires a short-term rental permit costing $300 annually plus business license fees of approximately $50. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection adds $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $300-$400 monthly or $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), property management software ($50 monthly), maintenance reserves ($200 monthly), and marketing expenses total approximately $4,000-$6,000. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees common in Cherrydale developments ranging $100-$300 monthly, and initial marketing budget for guest acquisition of $1,000-$2,000.

Airbnb properties in Cherrydale, Virginia typically generate annual revenues between $25,000-$45,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on proximity to Washington DC (approximately 8 miles away). Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue if outsourced), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Net profit margins typically range from 15-25% after all expenses, with properties closer to Metro stations and featuring modern amenities achieving higher occupancy rates of 65-75% versus the neighborhood average of 50-60%. Success factors include professional photography, responsive host communication, walkability to local attractions like the Cherrydale Farmers Market, and proximity to Arlington's business districts. A typical 3-bedroom Cherrydale property purchased for $650,000 in 2022 with a $150,000 renovation generated approximately $38,000 in annual Airbnb revenue with $22,000 in expenses, yielding a 2.5% cash-on-cash return, though appreciation and tax benefits improved overall investment returns to 8-12% annually.

Airbnb investments in Cherrydale, Virginia typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on the area's proximity to Washington DC and strong rental demand from business travelers and tourists. Properties in this Arlington County neighborhood, with average home prices around $800,000-$1.2 million, can expect gross rental yields of 4-6% annually, with net returns after expenses, taxes, and management fees settling at the 8-12% range. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, particularly for well-located properties near Metro stations or major corridors like Lee Highway, with peak earning potential during cherry blossom season and summer months when DC tourism peaks. The market benefits from consistent year-round demand due to government contractors, consultants, and visitors to nearby attractions, though investors should factor in Arlington County's short-term rental regulations and higher property taxes when calculating returns.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Cherrydale, Virginia. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Realty agents who focus on Arlington County STR investments, Long & Foster agents with vacation rental expertise, and RE/MAX professionals experienced in Cherrydale's rental market dynamics. National services like Mashvisor offer property analysis tools, while AirDNA provides market data and revenue projections for the Northern Virginia area. Local property management companies such as RedAwning and Vacasa help investors identify and manage profitable properties, while investment-focused brokerages like BiggerPockets-affiliated agents and HomeVestors work specifically with real estate investors. Regional services include Virginia Beach-based STR consultants who service the DC metro area, and local property scouts who specialize in identifying undervalued properties with strong Airbnb potential in Cherrydale's competitive market near Washington DC.