Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Buncombe County, NC

Airbnb listings are allowed in Buncombe County, NC, but with restrictions. In Buncombe County, vacation rentals (2-29 days) are allowed in all zoning districts except AI-Airport, though complexes with 3+ units or units over 9,000 sq ft require a Special Use Permit. Within the City of Asheville, entire-unit rentals (STVRs) are restricted to the Resort zoning district, while 'homestays' are allowed in residential areas if the resident lives on-site full-time and rents only 1-2 bedrooms. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

In Buncombe County, vacation rentals (2-29 days) are allowed in all zoning districts except AI-Airport, though complexes with 3+ units or units over 9,000 sq ft require a Special Use Permit. Within the City of Asheville, entire-unit rentals (STVRs) are restricted to the Resort zoning district, while 'homestays' are allowed in residential areas if the resident lives on-site full-time and rents only 1-2 bedrooms.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Buncombe County. 1. Apply for a Zoning Permit through the Planning and Development department. 2. For complexes (3+ units or large units), apply for a Special Use Permit which requires meeting standards for parking, utilities, and buffering. 3. Schedule a zoning compliance inspection by emailing the Planning and Development office.

1. Apply for a Zoning Permit through the Planning and Development department. 2. For complexes (3+ units or large units), apply for a Special Use Permit which requires meeting standards for parking, utilities, and buffering. 3. Schedule a zoning compliance inspection by emailing the Planning and Development office.

Vrbo is permitted in Buncombe County, NC under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Buncombe County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Buncombe County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.