Norfolk City Council members voted 7-1 to raise the per-night tax rate on short-term rental properties like Airbnbs with more than one bedroom.

With Ward 4 City Council member John “J.P.” Paige voting against the measure, the City Council approved the increase at its Tuesday meeting.

Short-term rental guests are currently taxed $3 per night. The measure increases the tax to $3 per night per bedroom. For example, guests staying two nights in a two-bedroom Airbnb will now be taxed $12 instead of $6 under the previous rate.

The ordinance will take effect Jan. 1.

Paige said he voted against the increase because he believed short-term rentals were an important tool for homeowners to help earn extra income and help pay off their mortgages.

“We don’t want to overburden our citizens with thos

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