Is Shirlington, Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Shirlington, 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 Shirlington's mixed-use developments like Shirlington Village or nearby residential areas, ensuring it meets county occupancy standards and HOA regulations if applicable. Furnish the space with quality essentials including comfortable bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as required by Virginia fire codes. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting Shirlington's proximity to Washington DC (8 miles), local attractions like Shirlington Park and the Village shopping center, and nearby metro access via bus routes. For ongoing management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, maintain responsive communication, collect and remit Arlington County's 5.75% transient occupancy tax quarterly, and consider using property management services like RedAwning or Vacasa if needed, while monitoring compliance with the county's annual inspection requirements and neighbor complaint procedures.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Shirlington, Virginia, focus on properties within walking distance of the Village at Shirlington shopping and dining district, as this area attracts business travelers and tourists seeking convenience. Target 1-2 bedroom condos or townhomes built after 2000 with modern amenities, parking, and metro accessibility via the nearby Pentagon City Metro station. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in Shirlington and adjacent Arlington neighborhoods, aiming for properties that can command $80-150 per night based on proximity to attractions and quality. Study competition using AirDNA and STR analytics tools to identify occupancy rates and seasonal demand patterns, particularly focusing on Pentagon and DC business travel cycles. Utilize Arlington County's zoning maps and STR regulations through their official website, leverage MLS data through local real estate agents familiar with Arlington's condo market, and monitor Pentagon contractor housing allowances since this drives significant demand. Consider properties near the Shirlington Bus Station for additional transit connectivity, and evaluate buildings with favorable HOA policies regarding short-term rentals, as many Arlington condos have restrictions that could impact profitability.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Shirlington, Virginia, you must apply through Arlington County since Shirlington is located within Arlington County jurisdiction. Begin by submitting an application to the Arlington County Zoning Office located at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, submitting Form ZA-2021 for a Special Exception Use Permit along with a detailed site plan, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plans showing the rental unit, parking documentation, and a neighborhood notification list. Required documents include a business license application, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1,000,000 coverage. The application fee is approximately $1,500 for the special exception permit plus $200 for the business license, with additional inspection fees of around $300. The timeline typically takes 8-12 weeks including a mandatory public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Shirlington-specific requirements include compliance with the Village at Shirlington HOA regulations if applicable, adherence to the mixed-use zoning restrictions that limit short-term rentals to no more than 30% of residential units in multi-family buildings, mandatory registration with Arlington County's rental inspection program, and compliance with noise ordinances due to the dense residential nature of the community. You must also provide on-site parking for guests and maintain the property according to Arlington County's housing code standards.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Shirlington, Virginia are subject to Arlington County regulations, which generally allow STRs but with significant restrictions. As of 2023, Arlington County requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning requirements, with STRs typically permitted in residential areas only as accessory uses when the property owner is present during the rental period. The county prohibits non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in most residential zones, meaning investment properties cannot be operated as STRs unless the owner lives on-site. Shirlington, being a mixed-use development area, may have additional homeowners association restrictions that further limit STR operations. Recent changes in Arlington County have tightened enforcement and increased penalties for non-compliant operators, with the county conducting regular inspections and requiring detailed registration information. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and occupancy limits, while operators must collect and remit transient occupancy taxes to both the county and state.

Shirlington Village is the prime area for Airbnb investment in Shirlington, Virginia, offering a walkable urban village atmosphere with upscale dining, shopping, and entertainment venues that attract both leisure and business travelers visiting the Washington DC metro area. The neighborhood's proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (just 10 minutes away) makes it highly attractive for business travelers and tourists, while the Shirlington Theatre and numerous restaurants create consistent demand for short-term rentals. The area benefits from its location near major employment centers including Amazon's HQ2 in nearby Arlington, the Pentagon, and downtown DC, generating steady corporate travel demand. Additionally, Shirlington's dog-friendly amenities and the popular Shirlington Dog Park attract pet-owning travelers, while the Four Mile Run Trail system appeals to outdoor enthusiasts visiting the region. The neighborhood's transit accessibility via multiple bus routes and proximity to I-395 provides easy access to Washington DC attractions, making it an ideal base for tourists exploring the nation's capital while offering a quieter, more residential alternative to downtown hotels.

Airbnb properties in Shirlington, 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 the collected taxes directly to the Virginia Department of Taxation and Arlington County on behalf of hosts on a monthly basis. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient occupancy taxes, and certain government and military travelers may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation. Hosts should register with both state and local tax authorities even when Airbnb collects taxes, as they remain ultimately responsible for compliance, and some hosts may need to file periodic returns or maintain records depending on their rental volume and local requirements.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Shirlington, Virginia is approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase costs around $550,000-$650,000 based on median condo and townhome prices in this Arlington neighborhood as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 1-2 bedroom unit 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, welcome materials, and basic supplies total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Arlington County include short-term rental registration ($300), business license ($50), and potential HOA approval processes adding $500-$1,000. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage cost $2,000-$3,500 annually. Monthly utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $200-$300 per month. First six months operating costs encompass utilities ($1,200-$1,800), cleaning services between guests ($150 per turnover, estimated 24 turnovers = $3,600), maintenance and supplies ($1,500), Airbnb platform fees (3% of estimated $18,000 revenue = $540), and marketing expenses ($1,000), totaling approximately $8,000-$9,000 for the initial six-month period.

Airbnb properties in Shirlington, Virginia demonstrate strong profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $85-120 for one-bedroom units and $130-180 for two-bedroom apartments, generating monthly revenues of $2,500-3,600 and $3,900-5,400 respectively at 70-80% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically include cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($100-150 monthly), and platform fees (3% host fee plus 14-16% guest service fee), resulting in total monthly expenses of $800-1,200 for smaller units and $1,100-1,600 for larger properties. Net profit margins generally range from 45-65%, with successful hosts like those managing furnished corporate housing near the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport achieving higher margins due to Shirlington's proximity to major employment centers and transportation hubs. Key success factors include professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, strategic pricing during peak government and business travel periods, and targeting the area's strong demand from military personnel, government contractors, and business travelers who prefer Shirlington's walkable village atmosphere and Metro accessibility over traditional hotels, with top-performing properties generating annual profits of $15,000-25,000 per unit.

Based on Shirlington, Virginia market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and initial investment. One-bedroom condos in Shirlington's urban village area show stronger performance at 10-14% annual ROI due to proximity to Metro access and corporate housing demand from nearby Pentagon and Crystal City businesses. Initial profitability usually occurs within 12-18 months, with full investment recovery expected in 7-10 years. Properties within walking distance of Shirlington Village shopping and dining command premium nightly rates of $120-180, while units requiring Metro commutes typically achieve $90-130 per night. Cash-on-cash returns improve significantly after year two as operators optimize pricing strategies and achieve higher occupancy rates of 70-80% annually, with peak performance during cherry blossom season and summer months when tourism increases in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Shirlington, Virginia. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments in the Arlington area include Long & Foster Real Estate agents who focus on investment properties, RE/MAX Allegiance specialists in the Shirlington corridor, and Keller Williams Arlington agents with STR expertise. National services include Awning (founded 2017) which provides full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition, RedAwning's investment platform, Vacasa's property management and acquisition services, and AirDNA for market analysis. Local Arlington-based investment firms like Capital Property Investments and Virginia STR Solutions offer specialized consulting for Airbnb acquisitions in Shirlington. Additional national platforms include Mashvisor for investment property analysis, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, and Roofstock which expanded into short-term rental investments in 2019. Local property management companies like Hostfully-partnered firms and independent operators such as Arlington Short Term Rentals provide acquisition consulting alongside their management services for the Shirlington market.