Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Raleigh?

Yes. Raleigh requires Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit, and the fee is $278. 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.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Raleigh?

The Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit fee in Raleigh is $278, renewed annual. 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.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Raleigh, NC (2026)

Raleigh requires Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit — the fee is $278, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit
Permit fee	$278
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. 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.
2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit
Submit the Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit application to Raleigh and pay the $278 fee. 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.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Raleigh. 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 Raleigh changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Raleigh before applying.

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