Yes, hosts in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, short-term rental hosts do need to ensure they comply with several legal requirements.

Local councils and zoning laws in the U.S. Virgin Islands also play a significant role in regulating short-term rentals. Hosts may need to secure a

In the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), several national and local taxes apply to income earned from short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of the applicable taxes:

Yes, hosts in the U.S. Virgin Islands are required to collect taxes from guests for short-term rentals. Specifically:

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, there is

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, short-term rental properties must adhere to basic health and safety standards. These include:

Online platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, national laws such as the

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are

There is

There are no specific nationwide zoning or cultural heritage laws directly governing short-term rentals (STRs) in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, zoning regulations do apply at the territorial and local levels. For example, certain areas may have specific zoning restrictions regarding the use of properties for short-term rentals, which can differ based on the island and municipality. Property owners are advised to check with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) for zoning approvals when considering a short-term rental.

Additionally, there are protections for cultural and historic sites under U.S. Virgin Islands law. This includes guidelines that affect properties in areas designated for conservation or that are considered historically or culturally significant. These areas may have stricter regulations, especially in places like Charlotte Amalie, which has notable historic importance

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, short-term rental operators must comply with various environmental and zoning regulations that are intended to protect the territory’s natural resources and ensure sustainable development. These regulations primarily fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR). Key regulations include those related to coastal zone management, environmental permitting, and efforts to mitigate nonpoint source pollution, particularly in coastal and watershed areas.

For instance, the DPNR's Coastal Zone Management (CZM) division plays a critical role in monitoring and regulating development, especially in areas close to the shoreline. Properties in coastal areas or near wetlands must meet specific requirements, such as obtaining permits for construction or operation. This helps to manage the impact of development on the fragile ecosystems, such as coral reefs, and to maintain water quality.

Additionally, short-term rental properties must also ensure that they comply with environmental protection standards, particularly regarding wastewater management and pollution control, as part of broader territorial efforts to preserve natural resources and coastal waters.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), there are several protections in place for tenants, particularly concerning long-term tenants who may face eviction due to short-term rental conversions.

Evictions in the USVI follow specific legal procedures. Tenants in long-term rentals are generally protected under local laws, and landlords must follow due process to remove them from properties, especially when attempting to convert long-term rentals into short-term rentals. A landlord cannot simply evict a long-term tenant to begin short-term rentals without adhering to the legal requirements set forth by the Virgin Islands Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

This law mandates that landlords provide proper notice for any eviction, and the notice period typically ranges from 30 to 90 days depending on the lease type and the reason for eviction. Additionally, there are broader protections in place for tenants, such as the requirement for a lawful reason (e.g., non-payment of rent or lease violations) for eviction.

The USVI does not have specific laws preventing landlords from converting long-term rentals into short-term rentals, but tenants are shielded from arbitrary evictions through the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and the general eviction process that requires judicial oversight. Landlords must ensure that they comply with these legal protections before pursuing short-term rental opportunities.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are no specific national immigration reporting requirements that compel hosts of short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or other vacation rental platforms, to report foreign guests to immigration authorities. However, hosts are generally responsible for maintaining accurate records of their guests, especially in compliance with tax and safety regulations, but not for immigration reporting.

While the U.S. Virgin Islands does follow U.S. federal laws, including immigration laws, the responsibility for tracking the entry and exit of foreign nationals typically falls to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other federal agencies. Property owners and hosts are not obligated to report guest details to national immigration authorities unless specific legal actions or requests are made by law enforcement agencies.

If hosts suspect illegal activity or face specific legal situations, such as guests violating U.S. visa regulations, they should contact local law enforcement or federal immigration authorities, but proactive reporting of foreign guests is not a standard requirement.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), digital platforms facilitating short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and VRBO, must comply with specific regulations to ensure lawful operations.

Hotel Room Occupancy Tax Collection:

Since June 1, 2017, Airbnb has had an agreement with the Government of the Virgin Islands to collect a 12.5% Hotel Room Occupancy Tax on behalf of hosts and remit it directly to the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (VIBIR).

This arrangement simplifies tax compliance for hosts using Airbnb.

However, other platforms without such agreements require hosts to personally collect and remit this tax.

Business Licensing Requirements:

Effective July 1, 2021, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) mandates that all short-term rental operators obtain a business license.

There are two categories:

• Short Term Rental A: For properties accommodating five or more persons; annual fee of $260.
• Short Term Rental B: For properties accommodating up to four persons; annual fee of $195.

These licenses ensure compliance with local laws and facilitate the collection of occupancy taxes.

Platform Compliance Responsibilities:

While Airbnb's agreement with the USVI government streamlines tax collection for its hosts, other platforms may not have similar arrangements.

Hosts using such platforms are responsible for:

• Tax Collection and Remittance: Collecting the 12.5% Hotel Room Occupancy Tax from guests and remitting it to VIBIR.
• Business Licensing: Securing the appropriate business license from the DLCA.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to all local regulations, including zoning laws and safety standards.

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In the U.S. Virgin Islands, national laws that apply to short-term rental contracts to ensure compliance with consumer protection standards primarily stem from territorial laws rather than specific federal regulations. The

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, non-resident owners of short-term rental properties face specific regulations and additional obligations compared to resident owners. These regulations primarily involve taxation, licensing, and compliance with local zoning laws. Below are some of the key regulations that target non-resident owners:

In the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as accommodations provided for less than 90 days in private homes, condominiums, or villas. To regulate these rentals, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) has established specific business license categories based on the property's guest capacity:

• Short Term Rental A: This license is designated for properties that can accommodate five or more guests. The annual fee for this license is $260.
• Short Term Rental B: This license applies to properties accommodating up to four guests, with an annual fee of $195.

These classifications ensure that all short-term rental operators adhere to local regulations, contributing to fair business practices and the collection of appropriate taxes within the territory.

To obtain the relevant license, property owners must submit an application to the DLCA, which includes providing necessary documentation such as a police record check, zoning approval, fire inspection, and tax clearance from the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (VIBIR). Additionally, a resident of the Virgin Islands must be identified as responsible for the business license.

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There are no specific national regulations that directly impose additional requirements on short-term rentals (STRs) in the U.S. Virgin Islands during national events or holidays, such as changes to maximum length of stay, stricter ID verification, curfews, or noise restrictions. However, certain territorial regulations already in place—such as zoning laws, fire inspections, and business licensing—ensure that STRs comply with safety and community standards.

During high-traffic periods like national events or holidays, local authorities may impose temporary measures or heightened enforcement of existing rules, such as stricter noise restrictions or curfews to maintain public order, but these are typically set at the local level. Hosts are expected to comply with any such temporary adjustments, especially in terms of noise control and curfew measures, but no fixed additional regulations are universally applied solely due to the timing of national events.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), non-compliance with short-term rental regulations, such as renting without the required business license, can result in substantial fines and penalties. Specifically, for Coral Bay in the US Virgin Islands, if a host operates a short-term rental without obtaining a valid "Apartment House D, 4 or Less Units" business license from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA), they may face the following penalties:

•