We closed by Thanksgiving. Most of our local B & B's sent folks to our local restaurants for dinner as we by law are required to have a commercial kitchen to do meals other than breakfast..so no one here does dinners.
To me..it would be a hassle. Now, if you are doing dinner for yourselves, and your health dept allows it....and want to just include your guests.. I say go for it. Me personally..no way:-(.
In WV, 6 rooms or less does not need a commercial kitchen. I can do dinners for registered guests.
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You are lucky you can do it. I see no reason why VA can't do the same...you cook just as much for breakfast as you do for dinner in the same kitchen!!!
Some counties just "look the other way" if B &B's do dinners. But it is a state rule.
We also just got hit with an increase in the license fee. $100 a year..up from $40!!! And of course no one knew it was changing...and the GOV will not roll it back either because we are in such a sad economic state here in VA.
Plus is you are on a well, you must have it inspected annually. Our county made one B & B do a well inspection quarterly. I told them to complain loudly because that is requirement for restaurants..not B & B's...so they said ok..only 1 now.
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Not meaning this is a critical way - but THAT is where BBAV should be raising cain.
We had a problem with our inns being legal because of the way the Fire Codes were written. It cost MABB over $3000, but we did succeed up to a point. MABB Board does not want to ge back for our 4 to 6 rooms but we at least got them exempt from the fire doors and enclosed staircases and an OR situation. 3 rooms or less that are owner or innkeeper occupied are now considered just a residence. Prior to our intervention, we were all subject ot the same requirements of a large hotel.
MABB was formed in the first place because of the health codes and that is why we have the 6 rooms or less no commercial kitchen rule. To me, marketing and legislative issues are the core reason to have an association.
I believe (OK, hope) that legislators cannot be bought, but your MUST BUY legislation. (Explanation - unless you PAY a lobbyist, your legislation is not going to go anywhere.)
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