Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Emerald Isle?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Emerald Isle, though state and county regulations may still apply. Hosts must comply with North Carolina state sales tax requirements and local noise ordinances. Always check with the Emerald Isle zoning office before operating a short-term rental.

What is the TOT tax rate in Emerald Isle?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Emerald Isle. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to Carteret County. Note that Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax in certain jurisdictions. Tax rates vary; check with the local finance department.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Emerald Isle?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Emerald Isle as a standard residential use. You need to comply with existing town ordinances related to noise, parking, and trash disposal. Check with the Emerald Isle planning department to confirm zoning regulations for your specific property before listing it as a rental.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Emerald Isle?

**Penalties** can include fines and legal action. You need to comply with all local ordinances related to noise, parking, and waste disposal, as well as collecting and remitting the required Carteret County occupancy tax. Operating without paying the proper taxes can result in significant penalties from the county and state.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Emerald Isle?

**Yes**, renters can host on Airbnb in Emerald Isle. You need to ensure that your lease agreement allows for short-term rentals. Subletting rules vary; check with your landlord to confirm whether they allow you to rent out the property on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.

Emerald Isle

Permissive

STRs Allowed

North CarolinaLast updated: February 15, 2026

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Summary

Emerald Isle does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit or registration system. Rentals are treated as a standard residential use and are primarily regulated through existing noise, parking, and trash ordinances. Hosts must ensure the 6% Carteret County Occupancy Tax and the NC State Sales Tax are paid.

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

To host an Airbnb in Emerald Isle, you don't currently need a specific city permit or license. The town is very vacation-rental friendly and considers STRs a normal part of the community. Your main responsibilities are collecting the 6% occupancy tax (which Airbnb usually does for you) and making sure your guests follow the town's local rules for noise and parking to avoid fines.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify if you are inside the Town Limits or in 'Unincorporated Carteret County' as tax rules differ.
2.The 6% occupancy tax is collected at the County level, not the City level.
3.North Carolina state law generally limits how much cities can regulate short-term rentals, contributing to the lack of a permit system here.
4.Noise ordinances are strictly enforced, especially during 'Quiet Hours' (11 PM - 7 AM).
5.On-street parking is prohibited in many areas; ensure your property has enough off-street spots for guest vehicles.
6.Oceanfront properties have specific trash collection schedules that guests must follow to prevent litter on the beach.
7.Stays longer than 90 days are exempt from the occupancy tax.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Emerald Isle, NC: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Emerald Isle allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums, Townhouses.
•Emerald Isle, NC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Emerald Isle: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(11)

•Emerald Isle: Oceanfront properties have specific trash collection schedules that guests must follow to prevent litter on the beach.
•Emerald Isle STR warning: The 6% occupancy tax is collected at the County level, not the City level.
•Emerald Isle does not require STR registration.

Application Process(6)

•Emerald Isle STR permit - Step 2: Register with State for Sales Tax. Apply for a North Carolina Sales and Use Tax Certificate if you are managing the property yourself. Required documents: SSN or EIN. Time: 10 days.
•Emerald Isle STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning. Ensure your property is located within the town limits and permitted for residential use. Time: 1 day.

Taxes(3)

•Emerald Isle: The 6% occupancy tax is collected at the County level, not the City level.
•North Carolina has a state sales tax of 4.75% that applies to STR rentals.
•Emerald Isle charges a 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% Carteret County Occupancy Tax automatically.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Emerald Isle: North Carolina state law generally limits how much cities can regulate short-term rentals, contributing to the lack of a permit system here.
•Emerald Isle: Verify if you are inside the Town Limits or in 'Unincorporated Carteret County' as tax rules differ.
•Emerald Isle enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Emerald Isle requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, Standard NC Building Code residential requirements.

Penalties(1)

•Emerald Isle enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Violation of noise ordinance: $100 fine. Second offense: Violation of noise ordinance: $250 fine. Third offense: Violation of noise ordinance: $500 fine.

Exemptions(4)

•Emerald Isle exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Emerald Isle, 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

Emerald Isle

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(6)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(4)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee

Emerald Isle

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Emerald Isle?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Emerald Isle?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Emerald Isle?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Emerald Isle?

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee