Short-Term Rental Regulations
in New Hanover County, NC

Airbnb listings are allowed in New Hanover County, NC, but with restrictions. In the City of Wilmington, occupancy is limited to two guests per bedroom. Operators must maintain $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance, respond to complaints within three hours, and retain guest records for three years. 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 the City of Wilmington, occupancy is limited to two guests per bedroom. Operators must maintain $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance, respond to complaints within three hours, and retain guest records for three years.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in New Hanover County. Submit an application to the Department of Land Use and Planning including a floor plan, evacuation plan, noise abatement plan, and proof of STR course completion. Pay the $75 annual fee and maintain $1M liability insurance. Permits must be renewed annually.

Submit an application to the Department of Land Use and Planning including a floor plan, evacuation plan, noise abatement plan, and proof of STR course completion. Pay the $75 annual fee and maintain $1M liability insurance. Permits must be renewed annually.

Vrbo is permitted in New Hanover 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 New Hanover 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 New Hanover County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.