Steps for Starting a Bed & Breakfast Homestay
Thank you for considering what it takes to open a bed and breakfast homestay in Loudoun County! B&B homestays provide valuable rural lodging amenities thanks to talented entrepreneurs like you.
This page is designed to give you an overview of important considerations before establishing a B&B homestay, but your specific situation may have different requirements. The Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance is the ruling document.
Working with Loudoun County and Virginia Commonwealth staff will help verify that those requirements are met. Our combined goal is to ensure that your operation is safe for customers so that your business can be successful.
Before establishing a B&B homestay, it is important to understand what is permitted with that use. Opening a B&B homestay permits you to provide:
- One to four guest rooms for overnight guests;
- Daily private parties of up to 20 attendees;
- Up to 10 annual private parties of more than 20 attendees (see more below);
- Food service for overnight guests and private party attendees.
This does not allow you to provide more than four guest rooms, 20 daily attendees or 10 annual private parties or to operate a restaurant, however, you may choose to apply for a separate restaurant use if allowed in the zoning district.
While this page focuses on B&B homestays, think about what additional uses (if any) you might consider later. Communicating these additional uses to Loudoun County and Virginia Commonwealth staff up front can help avoid surprises later in the process. If you have questions at any point, please contact Loudoun Economic Development at 1-800-LOUDOUN.
Detailed contact information for County and Commonwealth regulatory departments can be found at the bottom of this page.