Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Carolina Beach?

**Yes**, you need to register your short-term rental with the Town's Planning and Development Department. This registration helps the town manage short-term rentals and ensure compliance with safety standards. You can find the registration form and more information on the town's website. (51 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Carolina Beach?

**6% TOT** is the current room occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Carolina Beach. This tax is administered by New Hanover County, not the town itself. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the county. Check New Hanover County's website. (51 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Carolina Beach?

**$40** is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Registration in Carolina Beach. You need to renew this registration each year to legally operate your short-term rental. This fee is paid to the Town's Planning and Development Department when you submit your registration form. (48 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Carolina Beach?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Carolina Beach, provided you register with the town. You must adhere to all local regulations and safety standards. It is important to check with the Town's Planning and Development Department for any specific zoning restrictions that might apply to your property. (53 words)

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Carolina Beach?

**Penalties** can be incurred for operating a short-term rental without proper registration in Carolina Beach. The town enforces its regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors. Contact the Town's Planning and Development Department to understand the specific penalties and avoid any potential fines. (50 words)

Carolina Beach

Permissive

STRs Allowed

North CarolinaLast updated: February 13, 2026

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Carolina Beach requires all short-term rental operators to register with the Town's Planning and Development Department for a $40 annual fee. While the town manages registration and safety standards, the 6% Room Occupancy Tax is administered by New Hanover County.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 5 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Carolina Beach, you must first register your property with the town and pay a $40 annual fee. You don't need to live in the home to rent it out, but you must provide a local contact who can respond to issues within an hour. You are also required to display your registration number on your listing and post occupancy limits and trash rules inside the house. Don't forget that stays under 90 days are subject to a 6% local occupancy tax collected by the county.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$40

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You must have a 'local contact' who lives within 50 miles and can respond to emergencies 24/7.
2.Parking is strictly regulated; your registration requires a site plan showing exactly where guests will park.
3.The 6% Room Occupancy Tax is separate from registration and is managed by New Hanover County, not the Town.
4.Max occupancy is capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional people for the whole unit.
5.Trash cans must be rolled back from the street within 24 hours of collection or you may face fines.
6.Failure to register your STR can result in daily fines of $100.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Carolina Beach: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Carolina Beach does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Carolina Beach, NC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(14)

•Carolina Beach: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
•Carolina Beach has different permit classes: Standard Residential STR. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
•Carolina Beach: Parking is strictly regulated; your registration requires a site plan showing exactly where guests will park.

Application Process(9)

•Carolina Beach STR permit - Step 3: Post Required Information. Post the maximum occupancy, trash collection days, and emergency contact information inside the unit. Time: 1 day.
•Carolina Beach, NC: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Completed Registration Form, Site Plan (parking spots), Proof of Trash Service, Local Contact Information.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Carolina Beach charges a registration fee of $40 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Carolina Beach charges a Room 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 and remit the 6% New Hanover County tax directly.
•North Carolina has a state sales tax of 4.75% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Carolina Beach: Max occupancy is capped at 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional people for the whole unit.
•Carolina Beach, NC occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Carolina Beach limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Carolina Beach enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Carolina Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window compliance, Trash management plan.

Penalties(5)

•Carolina Beach, NC: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Carolina Beach: Trash cans must be rolled back from the street within 24 hours of collection or you may face fines.
•Carolina Beach: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Carolina Beach exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
•Carolina Beach, 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

Carolina Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(5)

Exemptions(3)

Create a free account

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee

Carolina Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Carolina Beach?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Carolina Beach?

4Are short-term rentals allowed in Carolina Beach?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Carolina Beach?

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee