Bed and Breakfast Facilities

Bed and Breakfast Permitting

Bed and Breakfast facilities must be permitted as lodging facilities under the Sanitary Regulations for Hotels (12VAC5-431).

Bed & Breakfast facilities are subject to all of the requirements of this regulation, with two exceptions:

1. 1. Unlike in a hotel or motel, B&B laundry storage rooms do not have to be separated from owner living quarters (12VAC5-431-340 ).
   2. B&Bs are not required to have a three-compartment sink or commercial dish-washing machine  for the washing of any glassware provided in patron rooms (12VAC5-431-440 ).

Bed and Breakfast Exemptions

Bed & Breakfast facilities are exempt from the requirement for a food establishment permit if:

1. The premises of the bed-and-breakfast operation is owner occupied or owner-agent occupied;
2.  The bed-and-breakfast operation prepares food for, and offers food only to, individuals who are guests of the bed-and-breakfast ;
3. 18 guests or less are served at the bed-and-breakfast operation on any given day; and
4. The bed-and-breakfast operation informs guests, in a manner outlined in the Food Regulations (12VAC5-421 ), that the food is prepared in a kitchen not permitted as a food establishment

Any meal can be offered to guests, not just breakfast.

If a bed & breakfast does hold a food establishment permit, it is exempt from certain requirements of the Food Regulations. Contact your local health department for more information.