Put Mathews to work.
Open a short-term rental.
Mathews County logged over 100,000 tracked visitor trips in 2025 — with 70% of visitors staying overnight. That demand is real, it's year-round, and most of it flows through short-term rentals. Here's what you need to know to host legally and successfully.
The Opportunity
Why Mathews is a strong STR market
Most Mathews visitors stay the night — they're not day-trippers. That means multiple nights of revenue, not a single afternoon.
The Richmond metro drives roughly 60% of all visitor traffic. It's a large, close, repeat-visitor market — exactly the profile that fills STR calendars.
Summer peaks, but birding, fishing, and fall events keep the shoulder seasons active. A well-positioned property can book year-round.
Mathews has limited hotel inventory, which means short-term rentals aren't competing with a saturated market — they are the market. Properties near the water, in the courthouse village, or with access to Mathews' event calendar have real pricing power, especially in summer and during major events like Market Days, ArtFest, and the Gwynn's Island Festival.
Getting Started
How to register and stay compliant
Short-term rental operators in Mathews County are required to register with the Commissioner of the Revenue (10644 Buckley Hall Road, Mathews, VA 23109). This establishes your business for local tax purposes and is required before collecting any rental income.
Virginia does not have a statewide STR permit requirement, but your local registration is mandatory. There is currently no Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requirement for STRs in Mathews County, unlike some more-regulated Virginia jurisdictions — but this is under active review as part of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan process. Ask the EDA for the latest status.
Mathews County levies a 5% transient lodging tax on gross rental receipts. You must file a Transient Lodging Tax Remittance Form monthly, due by the 20th of the month following each calendar month in which you collected rent. Late filings carry a 10% penalty.
Good news: If you list on Airbnb or VRBO, these platforms typically collect and remit the Virginia state sales tax (5.3%) and in many cases the local lodging tax on your behalf. Confirm with your platform whether they cover the Mathews County 5% — if not, you remit it directly. Either way, you must still be registered.
Submit forms to: Commissioner of the Revenue, P.O. Box 896, Mathews, VA 23109. Checks payable to Mathews County Treasurer. Download the remittance form →
If your booking platform does not collect Virginia state sales tax (5.3%) on your behalf, you must register with the Virginia Department of Taxation and remit it yourself. Most major platforms — Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com — handle this automatically for Virginia properties, but verify with your specific platform.
Virginia requires STR properties to meet basic habitability and safety standards administered by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). This includes functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, safe egress, potable water, and working sanitation. Properties with a septic system should ensure it is properly sized for occupancy loads.
In Mathews County, where much of the county relies on private wells and septic systems, confirm your system is permitted and adequate before listing. Contact the Mathews County Health Department for guidance on septic capacity relative to occupancy.
Standard homeowner's insurance typically excludes commercial rental activity. Before hosting, contact your insurer to discuss your options — many carriers offer short-term rental endorsements or riders. Airbnb's AirCover provides some host protection, but it is not a substitute for proper insurance.
Specialized STR insurance providers such as Proper Insurance, Steadily, and CBIZ offer policies designed specifically for short-term rental hosts. Compare coverage before your first booking.
Tax Summary
What you collect from guests
| Tax | Rate | Who collects | Paid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathews County Transient Lodging Tax | 5% of gross rent | You (or platform, verify) | Commissioner of the Revenue · monthly by 20th |
| Virginia State Sales Tax | 5.3% | Usually your platform (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) | Virginia Department of Taxation |
| Federal Income Tax | Your marginal rate | You | IRS · annual (14-day rule applies — see FAQ) |
Confirm platform tax collection with Airbnb/VRBO for your specific property. Rates current as of 2025. Always verify with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Common Questions
FAQ for Mathews STR hosts
The 2025 Comprehensive Plan review
The Mathews County Board of Supervisors has directed that a stakeholder group be convened in 2025 to discuss the regulation and taxation of transient/short-term rental housing. This is part of the county's broader Comprehensive Plan review, which runs through the end of 2025.
This process could result in new registration requirements, zoning restrictions, or changes to the local tax rate. Current operators and prospective hosts should stay engaged with the process. The EDA will publish updates as they become available.
Get EDA Updates →Ready to Host?
The EDA can connect you to the
right people and resources.
Whether you're listing your first property or buying specifically to host, the EDA can connect you with local real estate agents who understand the STR market, keep you updated on regulatory changes, and point you toward county and state resources.