Short-Term Rental Laws in Raleigh, NC (2026)
Raleigh allows short-term rentals (stays of 30 days or less) citywide in most residential and mixed-use zoning districts, but every operator must first obtain a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit from the city and renew it annually. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, night cap, or per-owner unit limit; multi-unit buildings are capped at 25% of units (or two units, whichever is greater) as STRs. Guests pay roughly 13.25% in combined taxes: 7.25% NC/Wake County sales tax plus the 6% Wake County room occupancy tax.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 9 official sources. How we verify data
Raleigh STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Allowed with permit |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit |
| Permit fee | $278 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13.25% of gross revenue |
| Enforcement | The zoning permit number must be conspicuously posted on all advertisements and on the property itself, and operators must keep a list of all lodgers for three years. |
| Current rules effective | 2021-03-04 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Raleigh stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Raleigh, NC — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Raleigh occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| NC state + Wake County local/transit sales tax (7.25%)· collection varies | $32.63 |
| Wake County Room Occupancy Tax (6%)· collection varies | $27.00 |
| Total tax (13.25%) | $59.63 |
| Guest pays | $509.63 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Raleigh requires Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $278, renewed annually.
Ordinance TC-8-20 ties the STR application fee to the commercial zoning permit fee in the Development Fee Guide. The FY2027 guide (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) lists 'Zoning Permit Fee - Commercial' at $278.00 per review; a 4% technology surcharge brings the actual amount collected to $289.00. Annual renewal is equal to the original zoning permit fee. Fee is collected after completion of the initial application review, due when the permit is issued. Prior-year (FY2026) base fee was $270.00.
Zoning & location rules
Short-Term Rental is a Limited Use in zoning districts R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10, RX, OX, NX, CX, and DX -- effectively all of Raleigh's residential districts plus residential/office/neighborhood/commercial/downtown mixed-use districts. Whole-house, partial-house, ADU, and multi-family unit rentals are all eligible. In any multi-unit building, no more than 25% of units or two units (whichever is greater) may be STRs. In residential districts, renters may not hold special events or gatherings; no exterior advertising; bedroom cooking facilities are prohibited (studio exception); the premises may not double as Live-Work or Home Day Care.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| NC state + Wake County local/transit sales tax4.75% NC general state rate plus Wake County local and 0.50% transit rates = 7.25% total (NCDOR rate table effective July 1, 2026). Accommodation facilitators such as Airbnb/Vrbo collect and remit for platform bookings; hosts taking direct bookings must register and remit on Form E-500. | 7.25% | varies |
| Wake County Room Occupancy Tax6% on gross receipts, explicitly applied to Airbnb/VRBO-type rentals. Paid to Wake County Tax Administration (not NCDOR); monthly reports due by the 20th of the following month, zero-due returns required. Per NCDOR guidance, rental agents/facilitators have the same collection responsibility as under the state sales tax on accommodations, so platforms remit for platform bookings; direct-booking hosts must register with Wake County and file themselves. Exemptions: nonprofits and stays of 90+ consecutive days. | 6% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
The zoning permit number must be conspicuously posted on all advertisements and on the property itself, and operators must keep a list of all lodgers for three years. The city SHALL revoke the permit after a written determination of an on-premises conviction under specified criminal statutes within 365 days, or two or more 'Verified Violations' (zoning, noise, or nuisance) within 365 days. Once revoked, no new STR permit may be issued for the premises for 365 days.
Violations of UDO Sec. 6.4.6.E are subject to civil penalties under UDO Sec. 10.4.2: $100 per violation (plus $25 if unpaid within 48 hours and a civil action is instituted), and $500 per day for continuing violations after the correction period expires. The ordinance also authorizes criminal sanctions at the maximum allowed by law notwithstanding the $50 limit in N.C.G.S. 14-4(a), plus permit revocation with a 365-day reissuance bar.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in Raleigh: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: Short-Term Rental is a Limited Use in zoning districts R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10, RX, OX, NX, CX, and DX -- effectively all of Raleigh's residential districts plus residential/office/neighborhood/commercial/downtown mixed-use districts. Whole-house, partial-house, ADU, and multi-family unit rentals are all eligible. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit
Budget $278, renewed annually. Ordinance TC-8-20 ties the STR application fee to the commercial zoning permit fee in the Development Fee Guide. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: NC state + Wake County local/transit sales tax (7.25%), Wake County Room Occupancy Tax (6%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 5
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annually (budget $278 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 6
Know the cost of getting it wrong
Violations of UDO Sec. E are subject to civil penalties under UDO Sec. Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.
Recent rule changes in Raleigh
July 1, 2026
FY2027 Development Fee Guide fee increase
The commercial zoning permit fee that applies to short-term rental applications rose from $270.00 (FY2026) to $278.00 (FY2027, effective July 1, 2026); with the 4% technology surcharge the total collected is $289.00.
Official source →March 4, 2021material
TC-8-20 Short-Term Rentals ordinance took effect
Ordinance No. (2021) 193 TC 444 (adopted February 2, 2021) repealed Raleigh's homestay regulations and legalized whole-house short-term rentals citywide with an annually renewed zoning permit; compliance was required within 90 days of the March 4, 2021 effective date. This remains the governing framework; no substantive STR ordinance amendments were found for 2024-2026.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Raleigh?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are legal in Raleigh, NC, but you must obtain a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit before operating. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Raleigh?
Yes. Raleigh requires a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit to operate a short-term rental, which costs $278 and must be renewed annually. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Raleigh short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit costs $278 (annual renewal). Ordinance TC-8-20 ties the STR application fee to the commercial zoning permit fee in the Development Fee Guide. The FY2027 guide (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) lists 'Zoning Permit Fee - Commercial' at $278.00 per review; a 4% technology surcharge brings the actual amount collected to $289.00. Annual renewal is equal to the original zoning permit fee. Fee is collected after completion of the initial application review, due when the permit is issued. Prior-year (FY2026) base fee was $270.00.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Raleigh?
Yes — Raleigh does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Raleigh?
Hosts in Raleigh are subject to: NC state + Wake County local/transit sales tax (7.25%), Wake County Room Occupancy Tax (6%) — roughly 13.25% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Raleigh?
No — in Raleigh hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Raleigh?
Violations of UDO Sec. E are subject to civil penalties under UDO Sec. See the enforcement section on this page for full details.
›When did Raleigh's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on March 4, 2021. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
Raleigh's STR rules changed 1 time recently.
Get an email the moment Raleigh changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Related
Nearby covered markets
- Charlotte, NCAllowed
- Horry County, SCPermit required
- Richmond, VARestricted
- Myrtle Beach, SCRestricted
- Virginia Beach, VARestricted
More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in Raleigh
- Raleigh short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in Raleigh?
- All North Carolina STR laws by city
- Occupancy tax calculator
- Compare STR permit costs across cities
- STR city rankings: strictest, cheapest permits & more
- What is transient occupancy tax?
- Best STR compliance tools, compared
- Latest STR rule changes nationwide
Sources
- Short-Term Rentals | Raleighnc.gov (official city STR page)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance No. (2021) 193 TC 444 - TC-8-20 Short-Term Rentals Text Changeretrieved July 20, 2026
- Short-Term Rental Application and Checklist - Zoning Permit (City of Raleigh)retrieved July 20, 2026
- City of Raleigh Development Fee Guide, July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027retrieved July 20, 2026
- Raleigh UDO Sec. 6.4.6 Overnight Lodging (Short-Term Rental standards)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Raleigh UDO Sec. 10.4.2 Civil Penaltyretrieved July 20, 2026
- Room Occupancy Tax | Wake County Governmentretrieved July 20, 2026
- Current Sales and Use Tax Rates | NCDORretrieved July 20, 2026
- NCDOR Fact Sheet: Local Room Occupancy Taxes and Prepared Food and Beverage Taxesretrieved July 20, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Raleigh and a qualified professional before operating.