What is the TOT tax rate in Asheville?

**6% TOT** is the current tax rate for short-term rentals in Asheville, North Carolina. You are responsible for collecting this tax from your guests and remitting it to the city's finance department. Be sure to register your Homestay permit to ensure proper tax collection and remittance.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Asheville?

**No**, whole-unit short-term rentals are generally not allowed in residential zones in Asheville. You can only operate a short-term rental if you obtain a Homestay permit and reside on-site during guest stays. Check zoning regulations to confirm if your property qualifies.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Asheville?

**Yes**, you must live in your property to legally rent it out on Airbnb in Asheville. The city requires a Homestay permit, which mandates that the host reside on-site during all guest stays. This regulation aims to limit the impact of short-term rentals on residential neighborhoods.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Asheville?

**No**, renters cannot legally host on Airbnb in Asheville. The city's regulations require the property owner to obtain a Homestay permit and reside on-site during guest stays. This regulation effectively prohibits tenants from operating short-term rentals without the owner's consent and presence.

Asheville

Q: Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Asheville?

**Yes**, you need a Homestay permit to legally operate a short-term rental in Asheville. This permit costs $234 and requires the host to reside on-site during all guest stays. Whole-unit rentals are prohibited in residential zones, so ensure compliance before listing your property.

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

North CarolinaLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

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 specific commercial districts. Most hosts must apply for a 'Homestay' permit, which requires the host to reside on-site during all guest stays and limits occupancy to two guests.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Host presence required (hosted-only)
•Standard permit fee: $234
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•No night cap

In Plain English

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$234

Processing Time

14-30 business days

Regulation Details

Eligibility(12)

•Asheville, NC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Asheville: You cannot have a full kitchen in the area designated for the guests (no stoves/ovens).
•Asheville: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(17)

•Asheville, NC: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•Asheville: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
•Asheville has different permit classes: Homestay (hosted) only. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.

Application Process(11)

•Asheville STR permit - Step 3: Submit Application. Apply online via the Development Services portal and pay the non-refundable application fee. Time: 1 hour. Cost: 234.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Asheville charges a registration fee of $234 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Asheville charges a Buncombe County Occupancy Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect the 6% Occupancy Tax and the 7% NC Sales Tax.
•Asheville: The 6% occupancy tax is collected by Buncombe County, not the City of Asheville directly.
•North Carolina has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Asheville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Asheville limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: Maximum of 2 guests per stay for homestays.
•Asheville enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Asheville, NC: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Asheville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Functioning interconnected smoke detectors, Clear egress routes, Property must meet current NC Building Code for residential use.

Penalties(5)

•Asheville: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Asheville: Asheville uses a proactive enforcement software to find and fine unpermitted listings.
•Asheville: Fines are $500 per day starting from the first day of the violation notice.

Exemptions(3)

•Asheville: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Asheville, NC: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Disclaimer

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

Other North Carolina Markets

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. Hosts must comply with general town ordinances regarding noise, parking, and minimum housing standards. A 6% Room Occupancy Tax is collected by Wake County, which is typically handled automatically by major platforms like Airbnb.

0.1% total tax

Hyde County

North Carolina

Permissive

Hyde County does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement for unincorporated areas, including Ocracoke Island. However, all hosts are required to remit a 5% Occupancy Tax to the county finance department on a monthly basis.

0.1% total 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. Hosts must still comply with zoning standards, parking requirements, and collect a total of 13% in taxes (6% Room Occupancy Tax + 7% State Sales Tax).

0.1% total tax

Cullowhee

North Carolina

Moderate

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

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Asheville

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

Regulation Details

Eligibility(12)

Requirements(17)

Application Process(11)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(5)

Exemptions(3)

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Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee

Asheville

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Asheville?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Asheville?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Asheville?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Asheville?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Asheville?

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee