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All states

North Carolina short-term rental regulations

North Carolina · The Tar Heel State38 markets coveredUpdated Apr 17, 2026
Restriction mix38 markets
Prohibited3 · 8%
Strict0
Sort
Prohibited

Banned or owner-occupied only

3 markets

STRs are banned outright or limited to owner-occupied stays only.

Elon

North Carolina

Prohibited

The Town of Elon regulates short-term rentals through specific zoning district allowances and a 3% local occupancy tax implemented in 2024.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $600.1% tax

Asheville

North Carolina

Prohibited

Short-term rentals (STRs) are strictly regulated in the City of Asheville; whole-unit rentals are prohibited in all residential zones and only permitted in...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $2340.1% tax

Chapel Hill

North Carolina

Prohibited

Chapel Hill requires permits for all short-term rentals, allowing owner-occupied units in all residential zones while restricting investor-owned 'Dedicated...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $1500.1% tax
Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

13 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Cullowhee

North Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Cullowhee are permitted and regulated by Jackson County, primarily requiring registration for occupancy tax collection.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Durham

North Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals are permitted in Durham as an accessory use in most residential and commercial zones, provided hosts obtain a one-time Zoning Compliance...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Blowing Rock

North Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals are permitted in specific 'Multiple Family' (M) and commercial zoning districts in Blowing Rock, provided the owner obtains a one-time...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $3000.1% tax

Oak Island

North Carolina

Moderate

The Town of Oak Island requires all short-term rental owners to register their property with the Planning Department.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.2% tax

Brevard

North Carolina

Moderate

The City of Brevard requires all short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) to obtain a Zoning Permit and designate a local 24-hour contact.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Jacksonville

North Carolina

Moderate

Jacksonville, NC requires short-term rental operators to obtain an Onslow County permit and register for both city and county occupancy taxes, totaling 6%.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Wrightsville Beach

North Carolina

Moderate

The City of Wrightsville Beach requires all short-term rental operators to register for a Zoning Compliance Permit and undergo a fire safety inspection.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Atlantic Beach

North Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals are a permitted use in Atlantic Beach provided the owner obtains a one-time $50 registration.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $500.1% tax

Fayetteville

North Carolina

Moderate

Fayetteville has no specific short-term rental ordinance and currently regulates STRs as standard residential rental properties under general business and...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Kitty Hawk require a Short Term Business Registration and are subject to a combined 12.75% lodging and sales tax.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $500.1% tax

Kure Beach

North Carolina

Moderate

The City of Kure Beach requires all short-term rental operators to register annually and pay a $100 fee.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Raleigh

North Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals are permitted in Raleigh subject to a zoning permit and strict bedroom limitations.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $1820.1% tax

Greensboro

North Carolina

Moderate

Greensboro requires a one-time $200 zoning permit for all short-term rentals, categorized into Homestays and Whole House rentals, with recently removed...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $2000.1% tax
Permissive

Light-touch rules · STRs welcome

22 markets

Minimal restrictions: basic registration, no permit caps, no night limits.

Cary

North Carolina

Permissive

Cary does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance and does not require a specific STR permit or city-level registration.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Hyde County

North CarolinaCounty

Permissive

Hyde County does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement for unincorporated areas, including Ocracoke Island.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Wilmington

North Carolina

Permissive

Following a 2022 North Carolina Court of Appeals ruling, Wilmington no longer requires short-term rental registration or limits the number/density of rentals.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Davidson

North Carolina

Permissive

Short-term rentals are permitted in the Town of Davidson without a specific municipal permit, as North Carolina state law limits local government registration...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.2% tax

Hatteras

North Carolina

Permissive

Short-term rentals in Hatteras are governed by the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act and Dare County tax regulations, with no specific local permit required.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Beaufort

North Carolina

Permissive

Short-term rentals in Beaufort, NC do not require a specific municipal permit due to North Carolina state preemption, but they must comply with zoning...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Duck

North Carolina

Permissive

The Town of Duck does not require a local short-term rental permit due to North Carolina state preemption, though owners must comply with county tax...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Southern Shores

North Carolina

Permissive

Southern Shores regulates short-term rentals through general zoning, parking, and trash ordinances, but does not require a specific STR permit due to North...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Topsail Beach

North Carolina

Permissive

Topsail Beach does not currently require a specific short-term rental permit or license.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Ocracoke

North Carolina

Permissive

Short-term rentals in Ocracoke do not require a specific operating permit due to North Carolina state law protections, but must comply with a 5% local...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Carolina Beach

North Carolina

Permissive

Carolina Beach requires all short-term rental operators to register with the Town's Planning and Development Department for a $40 annual fee.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $400.1% tax

Buies Creek

North Carolina

Permissive

Short-term rentals in Buies Creek are governed by Harnett County, which does not require a specific STR permit but mandates the collection of occupancy taxes.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Charlotte

North Carolina

Permissive

Short-term rentals are currently unregulated via permits in Charlotte because North Carolina state law preempts cities from requiring STR licenses or...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Dare County

North CarolinaCounty

Permissive

Unincorporated Dare County does not require a specific short-term rental permit due to North Carolina state law protections, but hosts must register for and...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Kill Devil Hills

North Carolina

Permissive

Kill Devil Hills does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit or registration system.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Nags Head

North Carolina

Permissive

Nags Head does not have a formal short-term rental permit or licensing system, but STRs are heavily regulated through the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Winston Salem

North Carolina

Permissive

Winston-Salem generally allows short-term rentals but recently banned new STR operations in R-1 and R-2 single-family residential zones.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Bryson City

North Carolina

Permissive

Bryson City does not currently have a dedicated municipal ordinance regulating short-term rentals.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Currituck County

North CarolinaCounty

Permissive

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Currituck County (including Corolla) are permitted in most residential zones.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Emerald Isle

North Carolina

Permissive

Emerald Isle does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit or registration system.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Greenville

North Carolina

Permissive

Greenville regulates short-term rentals under the 'Tourist Home' zoning classification, with no city-wide registration or permit required due to North Carolina...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax

Corolla

North Carolina

Permissive

Corolla has no short-term rental permit requirement due to state preemption, but operators must comply with a 6% occupancy tax and specific bedroom-based trash...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Free permit0.1% tax
Moderate
13 · 34%
Permissive22 · 58%

Neighboring states & common comparisons

South Carolina25 marketsVirginia21 marketsGeorgia20 marketsTennessee14 markets

Disclaimer: Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your local planning department before operating a short-term rental.