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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Topsail Beach, though state and county regulations may still apply. Hosts must comply with local zoning which limits occupancy based on the number of bedrooms and requires off-street parking. Check with the town for updates.

What is the TOT tax rate in Topsail Beach?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Topsail Beach, plus 6.75% state sales tax. You need to collect this tax from guests for stays under 90 days and remit it to the Pender County Tax Office and the State of North Carolina. Most platforms handle this.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Topsail Beach?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Topsail Beach as permitted accessory uses within residential zones. You need to ensure your property complies with basic safety and occupancy standards. Always check with the town's zoning department for any specific restrictions or updates to these regulations.

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

**Penalties** for operating an illegal STR in Topsail Beach can include fines and legal action. You need to comply with all local zoning ordinances, occupancy limits, and tax requirements. Contact the Topsail Beach planning and inspections department to ensure full compliance and avoid potential enforcement issues.

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

**No**, there is no requirement to live in your property to rent it on Airbnb in Topsail Beach. You need to ensure that you comply with all local regulations including zoning and tax requirements. Contact the Topsail Beach planning and inspections department for any specific questions.

Topsail Beach

Permissive

STRs Allowed

North CarolinaLast updated: February 10, 2026

Verified Verification

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Verified against official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

2 Official Sources

Summary

Topsail Beach does not currently require a specific short-term rental permit or license. STRs are recognized as permitted accessory uses within residential zones provided they comply with basic safety and occupancy standards. Hosts must ensure that the 6% Pender County Occupancy Tax and 6.75% State Sales Tax are paid on all stays under 90 days.

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 Topsail Beach, you do not need to apply for a special town permit at this time. However, you must follow local zoning rules which limit your occupancy based on the number of bedrooms and require off-street parking. You are also responsible for ensuring that occupancy taxes (6%) and state sales taxes (6.75%) are collected and sent to Pender County and the State of North Carolina. Most major booking platforms like Airbnb will handle this for you, but you should still register with the Pender County Tax Office to be safe.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.No town-level permit is required, but zoning standards for occupancy and parking still apply.
2.Occupancy is strictly limited based on septic capacity or a formula of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional people.
3.The town has historically discussed implementing a registration system; always check the latest Town Board minutes.
4.North Carolina state law prohibits cities from requiring STR permits in some cases, which is why Topsail Beach uses zoning standards instead of a license.
5.Properties on septic systems have much stricter occupancy limits than those on sewer.
6.Trash must be managed according to town-mandated schedules to avoid fines.
7.Quiet hours are strictly enforced between 11 PM and 7 AM.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Topsail Beach: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Topsail Beach: Glass containers are strictly prohibited on the beach.
•Topsail Beach does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Topsail Beach allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums, Townhomes.

Requirements(14)

•Topsail Beach STR warning: Verify you are in Topsail Beach (Pender County), not North Topsail Beach (Onslow County), as rules differ.
•Topsail Beach STR warning: Beach equipment (chairs, umbrellas) must be removed from the beach daily by 9:00 PM.
•Topsail Beach STR warning: HOAs on the island often have stricter rules than the town; always check your specific subdivision bylaws.

Application Process(5)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Topsail Beach: Step 1: Verify Zoning and HOA - Confirm your property is in a residential zone and check for any Homeowner Association (HOA) restrictive covenants that may prohibit short-term rentals. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.topsailbeachnc.gov/town-government/town-code Step 2: Register for Occupancy Tax - If you are renting through platforms like Airbnb/Vrbo, they collect taxes. If you rent directly, you must register with Pender County to remit the 6% Occupancy Tax. Documents needed: Tax Registration Form. Estimated time: 1-5 days. More info: https://www.pendercountync.gov/finance/occupancy-tax/ Step 3: Maintain Safety Standards - Ensure the property meets NC Building Code for residential rentals, including working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Estimated time: Ongoing.

Taxes(2)

•Topsail Beach charges a Room Occupancy Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit North Carolina state sales tax (7%) and local occupancy tax (6%) automatically.
•North Carolina has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Topsail Beach occupancy calculation: Limited by septic capacity and occupancy standards defined in NC building code. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Topsail Beach: Occupancy is often limited by the capacity of the property's septic system.
•Topsail Beach enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Topsail Beach limits stays to a maximum of 89 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Topsail Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, Septic system must be maintained to support guest capacity, Beach equipment must be removed from beach strand nightly by 9:00 PM.

Penalties(1)

•Topsail Beach enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil penalty for noise or beach equipment violations ($50).

Exemptions(3)

•Topsail Beach: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Topsail Beach: Stays of 90 days or longer are exempt from occupancy taxes.

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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

Topsail Beach

Verified 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(5)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(5)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee

Topsail Beach

Verified Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Topsail Beach?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Topsail Beach?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Topsail Beach?

5Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Topsail Beach?

Related Content

Other North Carolina Markets

Cary

Hyde County

Wilmington

Cullowhee