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HOTELS AND MOTELS

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 6, art. II
in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 6-23 Definitions.

Sec. 6-23. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Hotel and motel mean any building or group of buildings containing guestrooms or dwelling units, or both, which are intended, used or designed to be rented, let or hired out for compensation by automobile tourists or other transients, whether such compensation is paid directly or indirectly. The terms "hotel" and "motel" include hotels, motels, motor hotels, tourist courts, motor lodges, and the like. The daily or weekly rental of units or any sign on the premises making reference to other than monthly rates shall be considered prima facie evidence that a building is a hotel or motel and subject to all of the restrictions and requirements of this article. Transient guest means a person who leases, rents or puts up at a hotel or motel. (Code 1993, § 6-16; Code 2004, § 18-36; Code 2015, § 6-23; Code 2020, § 6-23)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 6-24 Violations.

Sec. 6-24. - Violations. Any person who shall violate any of the sections of this article shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (Code 1993, § 6-21; Code 2004, § 18-37; Code 2015, § 6-24; Code 2020, § 6-24)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 6-25 Numbering of rooms.

Sec. 6-25. - Numbering of rooms. Each sleeping room, living room or dwelling unit in a motel or hotel shall be numbered or designated in a plain, conspicuous manner. Such number or designation shall be placed on the outside of the outer door of each sleeping room, living room or dwelling unit, and no two rooms or units shall bear the same number or designation. (Code 1993, § 6-17; Code 2004, § 18-38; Code 2015, § 6-25; Code 2020, § 6-25)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 6-26 Guest register generally.

Sec. 6-26. - Guest register generally. (a) Every person who operates a motel or hotel where rooms or units are let to the public shall at all times keep and maintain therein a guest register in which shall be inscribed, with ink or indelible pencil, or entered into a computer or other electronic-based guest registry, either the name and home or business address of each guest or person age 14 years or older renting or occupying a room or the name of the organization making the reservation for the guest or person age 14 years or older, as well as the guest's vehicle description and license plate information. Such register shall be signed by the person renting a room or confirmed by a computer entry or other electronic database entry by an authorized employee of the hotel or motel. The proprietor of such hotel or motel or the proprietor's agent shall thereupon write with ink or indelible pencil or enter into a computer or other electronic database or data entry system opposite such name so registered the number of each room assigned to and occupied by such guest, together with the date when such room is rented. Until all of the entries have been made in such register, no guest shall be suffered or permitted to occupy privately any room in such motel or hotel. When the occupant of a room or space so rented shall vacate and surrender the room, it shall be the further duty of the proprietor of the hotel or motel or the proprietor's agent to maintain for one year a record of the date when such room was vacated and surrendered. (b) The guest register required by this section shall be subject to inspection at any and all reasonable times by the Chief of Police or by any police officer in the performance of such officer's duties. (c) The guest vehicle parking area of every hotel or motel shall be accessible at all times to any police officer in the performance of the police officer's duties. (Code 1993, § 6-18; Code 2004, § 18-39; Code 2015, § 6-26; Code 2020, § 6-26)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 6-27 False registration of guest.

Sec. 6-27. - False registration of guest. It shall be unlawful for any person to write or cause to be written or knowingly permit to be written in the guest register of any hotel or motel a name or designation other than the true name of the person registered therein or the name by which such person is generally known or to enter false information regarding such person's vehicle and address. (Code 1993, § 6-19; Code 2004, § 18-40; Code 2015, § 6-27; Code 2020, § 6-27)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 6-28 Maximum occupancy.

Sec. 6-28. - Maximum occupancy. It shall be unlawful for any person operating, conducting or managing any motel or hotel in the City where rooms are let to permit any room or space to be occupied in excess of the maximum occupant load for such room or space, as certified by the Fire Marshal in accordance with the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (Chapter 13, Article V). (Code 1993, § 6-20; Code 2004, § 18-41; Code 2015, § 6-28; Code 2020, § 6-28)
Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH6BUBURE_ARTIIHOMOFetched: 11/8/2026

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