Home/What you're looking for/Short-Term Rentals
Investment & Short-Term Rentals
The single most important fact for an investor at this lake: the rules change at the county line.
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The market, briefly
What this costs at Smith Mountain Lake
Condos in rental-friendly communities start well under $200K; high-performing waterfront homes run into the seven figures.
Figures reflect publicly reported Smith Mountain Lake area activity and are for general orientation only — they are not an appraisal. Ask us for current numbers on your specific segment.
Bedford County permits short-term rentals; Franklin County is tighter
Bedford permits short-term rentals with registration. Franklin has allowed them by right on agricultural land but required a special use permit in residential zoning — and the ordinance is under review. Verify first; it's parcel-specific.
Several condo communities allow it outright
Mariners Landing, Bernard's Landing, Highland Pointe, Stripers Landing, and Bridgewater Pointe are among the communities that permit short-term rentals. That is a shortcut around a lot of zoning risk — but confirm current HOA rules, which can change.
The season is real and it is short
This is a seasonal lake. Your pro forma lives or dies on Memorial Day through Labor Day plus shoulder weekends. Be skeptical of annualized numbers that smooth over a quiet February.
A boat slip is the amenity that drives rate
Guests are not booking a lake house to look at the lake. Slip access, dock condition, and swim depth move nightly rate more than a renovated kitchen does.
Use this
Questions to ask any agent about this
Ask these of any agent — one we introduce or one you found yourself. A specialist answers easily. Everyone else gets vague.
- What is the zoning on this exact parcel and what does it permit today?
- Does the HOA allow weekly rentals, and can that be changed by vote?
- What did this property actually gross last year — show me the statements.
- Is the slip included in the rental, or does the guest have no boat access?
- What is the county permit process and current fee?
Communities that fit
A starting point. Details change — always verify current rules with the HOA and the county.
| Community | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Mariners LandingGolf · Resort · Condos | Huddleston, Bedford Co. | A large resort community on Craddock Creek with a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, several restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a beach and a spa. Short-term rentals permitted; slips leased. |
| Bernard's LandingCondos · Resort | Moneta, Franklin Co. | The lake's original resort, on the North Shore peninsula: 70 acres with three pools, tennis and pickleball, a beach, marina and waterfront dining. Slips leased; short-term rentals allowed. |
| Bridgewater PointeCondos | Moneta, Franklin Co. | Waterfront condominiums near Bridgewater Plaza with a pool, day docks and covered slip leases. Short-term rentals allowed by the HOA — confirm Franklin County zoning for the unit. |
| Stripers LandingCondos · Rental | Moneta, Bedford Co. | Waterfront condominiums where short-term rentals are permitted. |
| Highland PointeCondos · Deeded Slips | Union Hall, Franklin Co. | Pool, hot tub, tennis and pickleball, boat ramp — with deeded covered boat slips included and short-term rentals allowed. |
| Harbor RidgeTownhomes · Deeded Slips | Goodview, Bedford Co. | Waterfront common area and pool, with one to two deeded slips per property and short-term rental eligibility in Bedford County. |
Where to look for this on the lake
Moneta & the Bedford Shore
The classic lake side. Cottages and chalets tucked into wooded coves, the State Park, and the county where short-term rentals are permitted.
Explore this areaHuddleston & the East End
Deep water, wide views, and the quietest stretch of main channel — the lake between the bridges and the dam.
Explore this areaWestlake & Hales Ford
The center of gravity. Groceries, the clinic, Bridgewater Plaza, and the bridge everyone crosses — plus the lake's densest cluster of condos and townhomes.
Explore this areaOr maybe you're really after…
Waterfront Homes
Waterfront homes for sale at Smith Mountain Lake: deeded shoreline where the dock is yours. The most sought-after — and most technical — purchase at this lake.
What to knowOff-Water & Water Access
Lake life for a fraction of the price — if you know exactly what "water access" includes.
What to knowCondos & Townhomes
Lock the door and go. The lake's lowest-maintenance path to the water — and often the easiest one to rent out.
What to knowLooking for short-term rentals?
Tell us the specifics and we'll introduce you to an agent who does this every week — not one who does it occasionally. Free, and no obligation whatsoever.
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