How to get a short-term rental permit in Asheville, NC (2026)
Asheville requires Homestay Permit — the fee is $200, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Homestay Permit |
| Permit fee | $200 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Asheville restricts short-term rentals to your primary residence, so confirm the property qualifies before applying. Homestays (1-2 bedrooms rented inside an occupied dwelling) are allowed in residential zones citywide with a permit, but may not be located in a detached accessory structure (unless permitted before Dec 14, 2021). Whole-unit short-term vacation rentals (STVRs, stays under one month) are only permitted in the Resort zoning district; a Jan 9, 2018 UDO amendment extended this effective ban from residential districts to commercial and mixed-use districts, leaving conditional zoning as the only path outside the Resort District. Only one homestay is permitted per lot/parcel.
- 2
Apply for the Homestay Permit
Submit the Homestay Permit application to Asheville and pay the $200 fee. The current City of Asheville Fees and Charges Manual (current-year manual linked from the city Finance page, updated July 1, 2026) lists 'Homestay — $200' under Development Services Miscellaneous Permits/Applications; no separate renewal fee is listed even though the permit is reviewed annually. Older third-party guides cite $208 initial / $82 renewal, which no longer matches the current manual. Whole-unit short-term vacation rentals (Resort District only) require an annual zoning permit whose fee is not separately itemized.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Asheville. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Asheville changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Asheville before applying.