Home / Cities / Raleigh

Is Airbnb legal in Raleigh, North Carolina?

Legal with an annual zoning permit, no owner-occupancy rule. Raleigh allows whole-home STRs in ten zoning districts with no owner-occupancy requirement since the 2021 rule change. Investors need a $278 annual zoning permit ($289 with the technology surcharge), and the permit number must appear on every ad. Multi-unit buildings are capped at 25% of units or two units.

Showing the researched rules for Raleigh, NC below. Type your Raleigh address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

Legal with an annual zoning permit, no owner-occupancy rule

Raleigh allows whole-home STRs in ten zoning districts with no owner-occupancy requirement since the 2021 rule change. Investors need a $278 annual zoning permit ($289 with the technology surcharge), and the permit number must appear on every ad. Multi-unit buildings are capped at 25% of units or two units.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit
Issued by
City of Raleigh, Development Services
Cost
$278 / year ($289 with surcharge)
Renewal
Annual

Key limits

Zoning
permitted Limited Use in 10 districts (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10, RX, OX, NX, CX, DX)
Multi-unit cap
25% of units or 2 units max per building
Ad disclosure
permit number on all ads
Stays
30 days or fewer

Taxes

State sales tax
4.75%
Wake County occupancy tax
6%

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Confirm zoning eligibility
    Use the city's iMaps tool to confirm the address sits in one of ten eligible districts.
  2. 2
    Apply for the permit
    File the STR application through the city permit portal; the fee is collected after review.
  3. 3
    Post and keep records
    Maintain a three-year lodger list and post the permit number on ads.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
HOA rules can restrict STRs even in eligible districts.
2021 rule change
The 2021 text change repealed the old owner-occupied homestay rules, opening investor STRs.

Sources

BNBCalc Raleigh guide · BNBCalc Wake County guide

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

Want this verified for your exact address?

$75 per address
  • Verdict for your parcel, not just the city
  • Permit name, fee, and renewal schedule
  • Night caps, occupancy rules, and key limits
  • Tax rates and a step-by-step checklist

Free during early access. Run the free address check

Also check

Asheville, NC Charlotte, NC Gulf Shores, AL Orange Beach, AL All 103 cities
Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.