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10/16/2023 5:54 pm

Short-Term Rentals

Everything you need to know about hosting a short-term rental such as Airbnb or Vrbo in Raleigh.

Updated: Oct 16, 2023

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General Information Short Term Rental Regulations How To Apply Fees Monitoring Your Project Community Resources

The Short-Term Rental text change was adopted by the Raleigh City Council on February 2, 2021. It is effective on March 4, 2021, and will replace the Homestay regulations. 

Read the full text change ordinance.

Short-Term Rentals

General Information

Short Term Rental regulations apply to dwelling units that are used for overnight lodging accommodations that are provided to renters for no longer than 30 days for compensation. A portion of or the entire dwelling unit can be used for lodging, including part or all of an accessory structure.

Short-Term Rentals are permitted as a Limited Use in the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10, RX, OX, NX, CX, and DX.  To determine the zoning district of your property you may use iMaps.

Short Term Rental Regulations

  1. Every short-term rental operator shall first apply for and procure a zoning permit from the City.
  2. Cooking facilities are not permitted in any bedroom. For the purpose of this regulation, cooking facilities include any refrigerator in excess of seven cubic feet; any stovetop 2 range that operates on 220-volt electric service; any appliance that operates on natural gas; or any cooktop, whether integrated into a countertop or a separate appliance, which contains more than two cooking surfaces or burners. This shall not prohibit cooking facilities within a one-room studio short-term rental. For the purpose of this regulation, a studio shall be a single-room rental with a sleeping area, living area, and kitchen/eating area in one consolidated room.
  3. No exterior advertising shall be allowed.
  4. In residential zoning districts, short-term renters shall not utilize the premises for holding special events or gatherings.
  5. For single-unit and two-unit living, the premise shall not be used for “Live-Work” or a “Day Care, Home”. For a multi-unit living, the dwelling unit shall not be used for “Live-Work” or a “Day Care, Home”
  6. For any multi-unit living use, no more than 25 percent, or two dwelling units, whichever is greater, may be used for short-term rental in any single building.
  7. Short-term rental operators shall comply with all applicable State and local laws, including those relating to fire and building codes, smoke detecting and carbon monoxide detecting equipment, housing codes, and payment of taxes to appropriate governmental entities, including occupancy taxes.
  8. Every short-term rental operator shall maintain for a period of three (3) years a list of all short-term rental lodgers staying on the premises.
  9. The zoning permit number authorizing the short-term rental shall be conspicuously posted on all advertisements for short-term rentals, and the subject property.

How To Apply

Submit a PDF of the entire Short-Term Rental Application packet (with all documents) via the Permit and Development Portal.

Fees

The fee for zoning permits can be determined by reviewing the Development Fee Guide.

Permit fees are due when permits are issued.

Monitoring Your Project

The Permit and Development Portal is a great way to manage your project activity online. Registration is required for all users, including current customers of the Planning and Development Department. We also have a video available if you need more information about registering. (How-to video: How-to-Register (English). Once you have registered an account, you are able to view your project workflow and pay fees.

Community Resources

The information below has been provided to the City of Raleigh by third-party short-term rental vendors as helpful community resources.

Airbnb

Other Resources

 

Unified Development Ordinance (land use and development guidance)

Contact

 

Questions? Contact the Current Planning Team!
919-996-2492
Email Current Planning

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Planning and Development
Service Categories:
ZoningPermits - Zoning