Short-Term Rental Policies by Region
A state-by-state, municipality-by-municipality reference for short-term rental rules and restrictions across the Southeast coastal corridor from North Carolina to Florida.
Short-term rental rules change frequently. The summaries below are for general guidance — always confirm current ordinances, permits, and tax requirements with the linked official source before listing or booking.
North Carolina
North Carolina has no single statewide short-term rental statute. Cities and counties regulate STRs through zoning, permitting, and registration ordinances, and most coastal counties levy a local occupancy (room) tax collected by the operator.
Statewide Resources
Wilmington
STRs permitted under the Unified Development Ordinance; operators must register with the City and collect local occupancy tax.
Permit / Registration RequiredWrightsville Beach
Town requires a short-term rental registration/certificate and compliance with occupancy limits; New Hanover County collects the room tax.
Permit / Registration RequiredCarolina Beach
Town STR registration required; occupancy tax remitted through New Hanover County.
Permit / Registration RequiredNags Head (Outer Banks)
Outer Banks rentals are widely permitted; Dare County collects a 6% occupancy tax; town zoning governs use and parking.
Permit / Registration RequiredKill Devil Hills
STRs common; Dare County occupancy tax and town zoning standards apply.
Permit / Registration RequiredOak Island
Town requires STR registration/permitting; Brunswick County occupancy tax applies.
Permit / Registration RequiredBrunswick Islands (Sunset, Ocean Isle, Holden)
Each barrier-island town sets its own STR registration; Brunswick County collects the occupancy tax.
Permit / Registration RequiredNew Bern / Oriental
City of New Bern allows STRs with a business registration; Pamlico County river towns are lightly regulated.
Permit / Registration Required
