Is Fairlington, Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Fairlington, Virginia, begin by researching Arlington County's short-term rental regulations, which require hosts to obtain a business license ($30-50 annually) and comply with zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to primary residences with a maximum of 30 days per year for entire-home rentals. Contact Arlington County's Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development at 703-228-3525 to verify current permit requirements and submit applications for necessary licenses, including a transient occupancy tax certificate. Find a suitable property in Fairlington's townhouse or garden-style apartment communities, ensuring it meets county safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $3,000-8,000 for initial setup. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting Fairlington's proximity to Washington DC (15 minutes by Metro), Pentagon City shopping, and the community's parks and walking trails. Set competitive pricing around $80-150 per night based on local market rates, and implement a management system using tools like automated messaging, keyless entry systems, and either self-manage or hire a local property management company charging 15-25% commission to handle guest communications, cleaning coordination, and maintenance issues while ensuring compliance with Arlington County's noise ordinances and parking restrictions.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Fairlington, Virginia, focus on units within walking distance of the Pentagon and Metro stations, particularly those near Shirlington Village for dining and entertainment access. Target 1-2 bedroom condos or townhomes with modern amenities, updated kitchens, parking spaces, and outdoor areas like patios or balconies, as these appeal to business travelers and tourists visiting DC. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in nearby Arlington neighborhoods like Ballston and Crystal City, aiming for properties that can command $80-150 per night based on proximity to transit and Pentagon. Study competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess occupancy rates and revenue potential in the 22206 zip code, noting that Fairlington's appeal lies in its quiet residential feel while maintaining easy DC access. Utilize LoopNet and Zillow for property acquisition, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa who understand Arlington's STR regulations and can help navigate the county's licensing requirements for short-term rentals.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Fairlington, Virginia, you must apply through Arlington County since Fairlington is located within Arlington County jurisdiction. Submit your application to the Arlington County Zoning Office at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201, or online through their permit 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 ($1 million minimum), contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and parking plan documentation. The application fee is approximately $150 with an annual renewal fee of $100. Additionally, you must pay transient occupancy taxes of 10.25% on all bookings. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for initial approval after submitting a complete application. Fairlington-specific requirements include adherence to the condominium association's bylaws (as Fairlington consists of condominiums and townhomes), maximum occupancy limits based on bedroom count (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional), mandatory registration with Arlington County's rental inspection program, compliance with noise ordinances particularly strict in this residential community, and provision of adequate parking as Fairlington has limited parking availability. You must also maintain the property as your primary residence if applying for a homestay permit, or meet investment property requirements if operating a full-unit rental.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Fairlington, Virginia are generally prohibited under Arlington County's zoning regulations, as Fairlington is located within Arlington County which has restrictive STR policies. Arlington County allows STRs only in specific zoning districts and requires special use permits, but residential areas like Fairlington's townhouse communities are typically excluded from STR operations. The county implemented these restrictions around 2019-2020 to preserve residential neighborhood character and prevent commercial activity in residential zones. Additionally, many of Fairlington's individual homeowners associations and condo associations have their own bylaws that explicitly prohibit short-term rentals, creating a dual layer of restrictions. Property owners in Fairlington who operate STRs without proper permits face fines and enforcement action from both the county and their respective HOAs, making legal STR operation extremely difficult if not impossible in most Fairlington properties.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Fairlington, Virginia are primarily within the North Fairlington and South Fairlington neighborhoods, particularly properties near the Shirlington Village area and those closest to the King Street Metro station. North Fairlington is attractive due to its proximity to Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington, generating consistent business travel demand, while properties near Shirlington Village benefit from the entertainment district's restaurants, theaters, and shopping that draw weekend visitors. The areas closest to Interstate 395 and Route 1 corridors are ideal for government contractors and Pentagon employees seeking short-term housing, especially during peak contracting seasons. South Fairlington properties near the bike trails and Four Mile Run offer appeal to recreational visitors and families visiting the Washington DC metro area. The neighborhood's location provides easy access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (15 minutes), downtown DC (20 minutes via Metro), and major business districts in Rosslyn and Crystal City, making it attractive for both leisure travelers wanting to explore the nation's capital and business travelers working with government agencies, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, and the numerous consulting firms in the area.

Airbnb properties in Fairlington, 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 6.75%, totaling approximately 12.05% 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 around 2019-2020 for Virginia jurisdictions. Airbnb remits these collected taxes directly to the Virginia Department of Taxation and Arlington County on behalf of hosts on a monthly basis. However, hosts are still required to register for a Virginia sales tax account and Arlington County business license, and must file returns even when Airbnb collects the taxes to ensure compliance. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient occupancy taxes, and certain exemptions may apply for government employees or long-term medical stays, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations can change.

Starting an Airbnb in Fairlington, Virginia requires approximately $650,000-$750,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs average $550,000-$650,000 for a median 2-bedroom condo in this Arlington County community, based on 2024 market conditions. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for complete setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials cost approximately $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Arlington County include business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit ($200-$300), and potential HOA approval fees ($100-$500), totaling around $500-$1,000. Insurance costs including landlord insurance with short-term rental coverage run $2,000-$3,500 annually, or $1,000-$1,750 for six months. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $300-$400 monthly, totaling $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), supplies, maintenance, platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses typically total $8,000-$12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates and average daily rates of $120-$180 in the Fairlington area.

Airbnb properties in Fairlington, Virginia typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for one-bedroom units and $25,000-$45,000 for two-bedroom units, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on proximity to Arlington and DC metro access. 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), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Net profit margins typically range from 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts achieving higher margins through strategic pricing during peak seasons like cherry blossom season and summer tourism months. Key success factors include maintaining 4.8+ star ratings, offering amenities like parking and metro accessibility, and targeting business travelers and tourists visiting nearby attractions like Arlington Cemetery and Pentagon City. Properties within walking distance of Shirlington Village or with easy I-395 access command premium rates, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $8,000-$12,000 on studio units and $15,000-$20,000 on larger units, though performance varies significantly based on host responsiveness, property condition, and local competition from the estimated 150-200 active Airbnb listings in the Fairlington area as of 2023-2024.

Airbnb investments in Fairlington, 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 steady demand from government contractors, business travelers, and tourists. Properties in this established community, with average purchase prices around $400,000-$600,000 for condos and townhomes, can expect monthly rental income of $2,500-$4,000 depending on size and amenities. The timeframe to profitability is generally 18-24 months after accounting for initial setup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses, with break-even typically occurring within the first year of operation. The market benefits from consistent year-round occupancy rates of 65-75% due to Fairlington's location near the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and downtown DC, making it attractive for both short-term business stays and longer-term relocations, with peak earning potential during cherry blossom season and summer months when tourism increases.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research services. In the Fairlington, Virginia area, local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments include Long & Foster Real Estate agents who focus on Arlington County properties, Keller Williams Capital Properties agents with STR expertise, and RE/MAX Allegiance specialists in the Northern Virginia market. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, Mashvisor for rental property analytics and market data, AirDNA for short-term rental market intelligence, and Roofstock which offers turnkey rental property investments. Local property management companies that assist investors include AvantStay, which manages premium short-term rentals in the DC metro area, and several boutique property management firms like Capital City Stays and DC Metro Short Term Rentals that specialize in Airbnb optimization and guest management services throughout Arlington and Fairlington neighborhoods.