RICHMOND — A new Virginia law that took effect July 1 forbids hotels from turning away people who live nearby when they seek shelter for health or safety emergencies, including events such as widespread power outages following storms.
What changed and why it matters
The statute removes distance from a hotel as a lawful basis for refusal when someone is trying to find a safe place during a qualifying emergency. The change aims to close a gap that left some residents without lodging after severe weather and utility failures, even when rooms were available.
Hospitality operators retain the right to enforce other rules — such as those addressing disruptive behavior, damage or business-related requirements — but they can no longer cite a guest’s local address as the sole reason to deny service during a covered emergency.
Voices from the ground
Some Virginians said they were surprised in the past to be refused a room because they lived nearby. One resident described the experience as shocking and confusing when a hotel she had stayed at before declined to accept her because she was local. Hotel managers and some in the industry have welcomed the change as aligning practice with what they view as basic hospitality.
“We want those people to know that we’re here for them ... during times of trouble,” said Neil Ordway, general manager of a SpringHill Suites property.
Practical notes for travelers and hotels
- Law effective date: July 1.
- Applies when a person seeks shelter for health or safety reasons during a qualifying emergency.
- Hotels may still apply other safety and business policies that are unrelated to a guest’s residence.
| Issue | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Refusal based on address | Commonly allowed by some hotels | Prohibited during qualifying emergencies |
| Other safety rules | Enforceable | Remain enforceable |
News reports earlier this year documented instances in which people said they were denied rooms during January storms; at least one hotel still listed a “no local” policy online. Under the new law, those kinds of policies cannot be enforced when a guest is seeking emergency shelter as defined by the statute.
For Virginians, the change provides a clearer path to refuge when severe weather or other emergencies put homes and health at risk. For hotel operators, it clarifies obligations while preserving the ability to protect property and safety through standard rules of conduct.
