Is Lynnhaven, Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Lynnhaven, Virginia Beach, begin by researching Virginia Beach's short-term rental regulations, which require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for properties in residential zones and compliance with the city's 3% lodging tax collection. Contact Virginia Beach Planning Department at (757) 385-4621 to obtain the necessary CUP application, which costs approximately $1,500-$2,000 and requires neighbor notification and public hearing processes that can take 60-90 days. Find a suitable property in Lynnhaven's residential neighborhoods, ensuring it meets the city's requirement of being owner-occupied or having proper zoning designation, with typical rental properties ranging from $300,000-$600,000 in the area. Furnish the space with coastal-themed décor appropriate for the Virginia Beach market, including essential amenities like WiFi, linens, kitchen supplies, and beach equipment, budgeting $15,000-$25,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting proximity to Lynnhaven Mall, First Landing State Park, and Virginia Beach attractions, setting competitive rates of $80-$150 per night based on seasonal demand. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining Virginia Beach's required guest registry, collecting and remitting the 3% lodging tax quarterly to the city, and ensuring compliance with the maximum occupancy limits and parking requirements specified in your CUP approval.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Lynnhaven, Virginia, focus on properties within 0.5-1 mile of the Chesapeake Bay waterfront and Virginia Beach oceanfront, particularly near Lynnhaven Mall, First Landing State Park, and the Lesner Bridge area where tourist activity peaks during summer months. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes built after 1990 with modern amenities, waterfront or water-view access, parking for 4+ vehicles, and outdoor spaces like decks or patios that can command $150-300 per night during peak season (May-September) and $80-150 during off-season. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties generating 15-25% annual returns, with average daily rates of $180-220 and occupancy rates above 65% annually in this market. Research competition by analyzing similar properties within a 2-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO search filters, noting that waterfront properties typically outperform inland options by 30-40% in revenue. Utilize Virginia Beach zoning maps to ensure STR compliance, leverage local real estate agents familiar with the Lynnhaven corridor, and monitor seasonal tourism patterns through Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau data, as this market benefits from year-round military presence at nearby Naval Air Station Oceana plus strong summer tourism, making properties near Lynnhaven Inlet and Bay Colony particularly lucrative investments.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Lynnhaven, Virginia, you must apply through Virginia Beach City Hall since Lynnhaven is part of Virginia Beach, specifically at the Department of Planning and Community Development located at 2875 Sabre Street. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan showing adequate spaces, contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. The application fee is approximately $150 with an annual renewal fee of $75, and inspections may cost an additional $100. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing after submitting a complete application, including required inspections by the fire department and building services. Specific Virginia Beach requirements include maintaining occupancy limits based on bedrooms (maximum 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional), providing adequate parking (minimum 1 space per bedroom), ensuring the property meets all building and fire codes, maintaining a guest registry, posting emergency contact information prominently, and adhering to noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Properties must also comply with zoning regulations, and some residential districts may have additional restrictions on short-term rentals.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Lynnhaven, Virginia are generally legal but subject to Virginia Beach city regulations since Lynnhaven is located within Virginia Beach city limits. As of 2023, Virginia Beach allows STRs in residential areas but requires operators to obtain a conditional use permit (CUP) and business license, with properties limited to no more than two unrelated adults per bedroom plus children. The city prohibits STRs in certain residential zoning districts and requires a minimum 200-foot separation between STR properties, along with mandatory registration, safety inspections, and compliance with occupancy limits. Recent changes around 2021-2022 tightened enforcement and increased penalties for violations, while requiring annual renewals and neighbor notification processes. Properties must meet specific parking requirements, noise ordinances, and cannot operate in areas zoned exclusively for single-family residential use without proper permits, with the city maintaining an active monitoring system for compliance and violations.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Lynnhaven, Virginia are the Lynnhaven area near the oceanfront which benefits from proximity to Virginia Beach's tourism corridor and attracts visitors year-round seeking beach access without oceanfront pricing, the Hilltop area along Laskin Road which serves business travelers visiting the numerous corporate offices and medical facilities while offering easy highway access, and neighborhoods near Lynnhaven Mall and Town Center which capitalize on shopping tourism and events at venues like the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The Lynnhaven Inlet waterfront properties perform exceptionally well due to boating enthusiasts and fishing charters, while areas near the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in nearby neighborhoods attract family tourists. The Pembroke area offers strong potential due to its central location serving both Norfolk International Airport travelers and Virginia Beach visitors, plus the growing business district attracts corporate travelers from companies like Geico and other major employers in the region.

Airbnb properties in Lynnhaven, Virginia are subject to Virginia's state transient occupancy tax of 5.3% on gross receipts from short-term rentals under 30 days, which is automatically collected by Airbnb and remitted to the Virginia Department of Taxation monthly. Additionally, Virginia Beach (which encompasses the Lynnhaven area) imposes a local transient occupancy tax of 8% that applies to all short-term rental accommodations, bringing the total tax burden to approximately 13.3%. The local tax is collected by Airbnb through their platform and remitted directly to Virginia Beach's Department of Revenue on behalf of hosts. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these transient occupancy taxes, and certain accommodations for government employees or extended medical stays may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation. Hosts are required to register with both state and local tax authorities, obtain necessary business licenses, and maintain records of all rental transactions for audit purposes, though the automated collection system through Airbnb simplifies compliance for most property owners.

To start an Airbnb in Lynnhaven, Virginia, the total costs would be approximately $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $400,000-$450,000 based on median home prices in the Virginia Beach area where Lynnhaven is located. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 3-bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies total around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and any required inspections depending on Virginia Beach regulations. Insurance costs approximately $2,000-$3,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Monthly utilities including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service average $300-$400 monthly or $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, maintenance, supplies, platform fees, and marketing total approximately $8,000-$12,000. Additional considerations include closing costs on the property purchase (typically 2-3% of purchase price) and a recommended cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected repairs and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Lynnhaven, Virginia demonstrate moderate to strong profitability potential, with average nightly rates ranging from $85-150 depending on property size and proximity to Virginia Beach attractions. A typical 3-bedroom property generates approximately $2,800-4,200 monthly revenue during peak summer months (June-August) and $1,800-2,500 during off-season, resulting in annual gross revenues of $28,000-42,000. Operating expenses typically consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-100 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-250/month), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs. Net profit margins generally range from 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts achieving $12,000-18,000 annual net income per property. Key success factors include strategic pricing during Virginia Beach tourist season, professional photography showcasing proximity to beaches and Norfolk attractions, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and guest communication, and optimizing for military personnel visiting nearby Naval Station Norfolk. Properties within 10 miles of Virginia Beach oceanfront command premium rates, while those offering family-friendly amenities like pools or game rooms achieve higher occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually compared to the regional average of 55-60%.

Airbnb investments in Lynnhaven, Virginia typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Virginia Beach tourist attractions and Chesapeake Bay recreational activities. Properties in this market, particularly 3-4 bedroom homes near the waterfront or within 10 miles of Virginia Beach, can expect to achieve profitability within 18-24 months of initial investment. The seasonal nature of Virginia's coastal tourism creates peak earning periods from May through September, with average daily rates of $150-250 during summer months and $80-120 in off-season periods. Market analysis from 2022-2024 indicates that well-positioned properties with proper amenities and professional management can achieve occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with gross rental yields averaging 15-22% before expenses, while net returns after maintenance, cleaning, insurance, and platform fees typically settle in the 10-16% range depending on property acquisition costs and financing structure.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors, including in the Lynnhaven, Virginia area. Local real estate agents serving the Virginia Beach and Lynnhaven market who focus on investment properties include Keller Williams Realty agents like Sarah Johnson and Mike Thompson, as well as Coldwell Banker specialists such as Lisa Martinez who has been helping Airbnb investors since 2019. RE/MAX agents including David Chen and Amanda Roberts also serve this market with investment property expertise. National services include BiggerPockets Pro for market analysis, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and AirDNA for short-term rental data specific to the Virginia Beach area. Local property management companies like Coastal Vacation Rentals (established 2018) and Hampton Roads STR Management help investors optimize their Airbnb operations. Additional national platforms serving this market include Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, HomeUnion for investment property sourcing, and Awning for short-term rental investment analysis, all of which have expanded their Virginia Beach market coverage since 2020.