https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/ Recent short-term rental regulatory updates across North Carolina markets. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:16:32 GMT https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/banner-elk/ NC HB 667 passed the House in 2025 and would limit municipalities' ability to ban STRs in residential areas. Pending Senate vote; if passed, would significantly restrict local STR bans statewide. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-banner-elk-2025-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/north-topsail-beach/ NC HB 667 passed the House in 2025; would limit municipalities from banning STRs in residential areas. If enacted by the Senate, would reinforce North Topsail Beach's permissive stance statewide. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-north-topsail-beach-2025-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/asheville/ Asheville City Council is reviewing a proposal to impose per-neighborhood density caps on whole-home STR licenses in residential zones, which would limit the percentage of homes on any block that could be licensed for non-owner-occupied short-term rental use. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-asheville-2025-08-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/raleigh/ Raleigh enforced its 25%-of-units STR cap in multi-unit buildings, requiring buildings at or above the threshold to decline new STR permit applications and notifying affected operators of their building's current compliance status. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-raleigh-2024-10-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/wilmington/ Wilmington conducted its annual review of Chapter 34 STR compliance, confirming that all permitted STRs have current local designated operator information on file and updated safety and sanitation plans. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-wilmington-2024-10-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/asheville/ Asheville's code compliance division conducted an enforcement campaign targeting unlicensed whole-home STR operations in residential neighborhoods, particularly West Asheville, where STR density has grown rapidly. Non-compliant properties received compliance notices with deadlines and fine schedules. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-asheville-2024-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/boone/ Boone's planning department enforced its 75-foot transitional zone buffer requirements for vacation rentals, denying permits and issuing compliance notices to properties that fell within the restricted buffer area. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-boone-2024-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/bryson-city/ Swain County is developing a registration program for vacation rental properties in unincorporated areas, building on Hocking County and other rural county models. The program will require safety inspections, local contact designations, and occupancy and septic compliance. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-bryson-city-2024-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/lake-lure/ Lake Lure stepped up enforcement of its 12-person occupancy cap following summer 2024 complaints about overcrowded lakefront properties, conducting inspections on properties with repeat noise and parking violations. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-lake-lure-2024-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/maggie-valley/ Maggie Valley's code enforcement team increased monitoring of STR listings to confirm that all operating rentals are located in the R-4/SR Seasonal/Short Term Residential district, issuing notices to operators in ineligible zones. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-maggie-valley-2024-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/surf-city/ Surf City clarified that the one-whole-home and one-partial-home permit limit applies per owner entity, preventing investors from obtaining multiple whole-home permits through separate LLCs or entities. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-surf-city-2024-09-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/nags-head/ Nags Head reminded all STR operators to comply with the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act, which governs security deposits, rental agreements, and tenant protections for vacation rentals — separate from local permit requirements. Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-nags-head-2024-08-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/kitty-hawk/ Kitty Hawk began enforcing its 14-consecutive-day stay limit following complaints about long-term transient occupants in vacation rental properties, issuing notices to operators with guests exceeding the limit. Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-kitty-hawk-2024-07-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/kitty-hawk/ Kitty Hawk stepped up enforcement of its off-street parking requirement for STRs after summer complaints about rental guests parking in rights-of-way and fire lanes, issuing fines to operators whose guests repeatedly violated parking rules. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-kitty-hawk-2024-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/wilmington/ Following a city-wide zoning code update, Wilmington published updated STR density limit maps by zone, clarifying which residential neighborhoods are at, near, or below their density cap and where new permits can be issued. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-wilmington-2024-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/boone/ Boone audited homestay permits to verify that hosts continue to occupy the property as their primary residence and are present during guest stays, revoking permits where documentation was insufficient. Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-boone-2024-05-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/maggie-valley/ Maggie Valley's updated Comprehensive Plan reaffirmed the town's intent to maintain its cottage and cabin character, indicating that future zoning changes will be evaluated for their compatibility with the seasonal residential vision. Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-maggie-valley-2024-05-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/north-topsail-beach/ County updated STR operators on occupancy tax obligations; 6% tax on gross receipts from short-term rentals. All operators must register with the county and remit monthly. Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-north-topsail-beach-2024-05-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/raleigh/ Raleigh moved its STR permit renewal process entirely online, enabling operators to renew, update contact information, and verify zone eligibility without visiting the Planning and Development department. Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-raleigh-2024-05-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/lake-lure/ Lake Lure clarified which specific zoning districts allow duplexes to operate as vacation rentals, publishing an updated eligibility map after operators in some duplex-zoned areas received conflicting information. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-lake-lure-2024-04-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/nags-head/ The Town clarified that partial-house STRs (resident-occupied with up to two guest rooms) require one additional off-street parking space beyond the single-family minimum, to be provided before the STR permit is issued. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-nags-head-2024-04-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/surf-city/ The Town updated its requirement that the STR permit number and visitor emergency information be posted conspicuously inside the unit at all times, specifying minimum font size and required placement. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-surf-city-2024-04-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/maggie-valley/ Haywood County reminded Maggie Valley STR operators of their obligation to collect and remit the county's occupancy tax on all short-term stays, with increased audit activity for direct-booking operators. Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-maggie-valley-2024-02-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/wilmington/ Wilmington increased enforcement of its prohibition on STRs having separate visible entrances or accessory signs that distinguish the rental unit from a standard residential property, citing neighborhood character concerns. Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-wilmington-2024-02-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/banner-elk/ County occupancy tax rate increased from 4% to 6% effective January 2024; all STR operators must collect and remit monthly through the county finance office. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-banner-elk-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/boone/ Boone published guidance on its multi-unit building STR concentration limits, clarifying what percentage of units in a building may operate as vacation rentals simultaneously. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-boone-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/kitty-hawk/ Kitty Hawk reviewed its four-room and 10-person occupancy limits following requests from some operators to raise them, ultimately deciding to maintain current caps based on neighborhood character and parking capacity considerations. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-kitty-hawk-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/lake-lure/ Lake Lure implemented automated annual permit renewal reminders sent 90 days before expiration, reducing the number of operators inadvertently lapsing into unlicensed status. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-lake-lure-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/nags-head/ Nags Head moved its annual STR permit renewal entirely online, reducing processing times and enabling operators to verify compliance status and update contact information without visiting Town Hall. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-nags-head-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/raleigh/ Following a unified development ordinance update, Raleigh clarified which new zone designations are eligible for STR Limited Use, confirming that RX, OX, NX, CX, and DX mixed zones remain eligible in addition to traditional residential zones. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-raleigh-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/surf-city/ Surf City adjusted its annual STR permit renewal fees to reflect updated administrative costs, with a modest increase for whole-home permits and no change to partial-home permit fees. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-surf-city-2024-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/bryson-city/ Bryson City requires vacation rental operators within town limits to obtain a town business license and register for applicable local and state tax collection. Most Bryson City area cabins are in unincorporated Swain County outside town limits. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-bryson-city-2023-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/asheville/ Asheville's STR ordinance distinguishes between hosted homestays (owner present) and whole-home rentals (owner absent). In residential zones, whole-home rentals require the property to be the operator's primary residence. Both types require a city STR license and annual renewal. Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-asheville-2023-05-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/bryson-city/ North Carolina imposes sales and use tax on short-term rental income. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit NC state sales tax on behalf of hosts through the state's marketplace facilitator requirements. Swain County may impose additional occupancy taxes. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-bryson-city-2023-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/north-topsail-beach/ Town requires annual STR registration with safety compliance check; contact information must be posted on-site for all rentals. Onslow County occupancy tax registration also required. Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-north-topsail-beach-2022-08-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/north-carolina/banner-elk/ Town requires annual STR permit ($100/year for 1–2 bedrooms; $150/year for 3+ bedrooms) with fire safety compliance. Permit number required in all listings. Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT north-carolina-banner-elk-2021-07-01