What should Duck hosts know about north carolina state law (g.s?

North Carolina state law (G.S. 160D-1207) prohibits the town from requiring a rental permit.

What are the key requirements for Duck hosts?

Rental properties MUST have a minimum of two approved solid waste containers; more are required for occupancies over 12 people.

What are the key requirements for Duck hosts?

Street parking is strictly prohibited; all guest parking must be on the home's paved area.

What should Duck hosts know about the nc vacation rental act?

The NC Vacation Rental Act requires a written rental agreement for all stays under 90 days.

Duck, NC Short-Term Rental Laws & Regulation Guide

Baseline Verification

100%

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Verified: Feb 8, 2026

Summary

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 registration and state safety laws.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

In Duck, you don't need a specific license from the town to rent out your home. However, you must register with Dare County to pay occupancy tax and the North Carolina Department of Revenue for sales tax, and you must follow the safety rules outlined in the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.North Carolina state law (G.S. 160D-1207) prohibits the town from requiring a rental permit.
2.Rental properties MUST have a minimum of two approved solid waste containers; more are required for occupancies over 12 people.
3.Street parking is strictly prohibited; all guest parking must be on the home's paved area.
4.The NC Vacation Rental Act requires a written rental agreement for all stays under 90 days.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Duck: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Duck: Street parking is strictly prohibited; all guest parking must be on the home's paved area.
•Duck does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Duck allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex.

Requirements(11)

•Duck: The NC Vacation Rental Act requires a written rental agreement for all stays under 90 days.
•Duck does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
•Duck STR warning: Rental properties MUST have a minimum of two approved solid waste containers; more are required for occupancies over 12 people.

Application Process(5)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Duck: Step 1: Register with NC Department of Revenue - Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration from the North Carolina Department of Revenue if renting for 15 or more days per year. Documents needed: FEIN or SSN, Business Name and Address. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/sales-and-use-tax Step 2: Register for Dare County Occupancy Tax - Complete the Occupancy Tax Registration form with the Dare County Finance Department to establish a tax account. Documents needed: NCDOR Sales Tax ID Number, Property Management Info. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://www.darenc.gov/departments/finance/occupancy-tax Step 3: Verify Trash and Equipment Compliance - Ensure the property has at least two rollout trash containers as required by Duck Ordinance 23-03. Check occupancy-based requirements for additional cans. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.ducknc.gov/town-services/residential-curbside-services/

Taxes(2)

•North Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.0675% that applies to STR rentals.
•Dare charges a Occupancy Tax of 0.06%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Duck limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: Commonly 2 per bedroom based on septic permit capacity
•Duck limits stays to a maximum of 89 nights.
•Duck enforces quiet hours: Unreasonably loud noise prohibited at all times.
•Duck occupancy calculation: Commonly 2 per bedroom based on septic permit capacity. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Duck requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with NC Vacation Rental Act (Chapter 42A), Minimum 2 trash rollout carts required, Compliance with Dark Sky lighting standards.

Penalties(2)

•Dare enforces penalties: First offense: 10% of tax due.
•Duck enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by ordinance violation. Daily fine: $50-$500 per day.

Exemptions(2)

•Duck: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Duck exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), long-term rentals 30+ days (county).

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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

Duck

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(5)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee

Duck

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Duck?

3Are there rental night limits in Duck?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Duck?

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee