Carolina Beach, NC Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Carolina Beach Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

Carolina Beach does not regulate short-term rental and is allowed. 

Business License Requirements

Carolina Beach does not need a business license to operate a short-term rental

Building and Housing Standards

Carolina Beach has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing.  Consult the Building Inspections for more information

Tourist and Local Taxes

Every operator of a business or individual furnishing a taxable accommodation in New Hanover County, such as a hotel, motel, inn, room rental, tourist camp, or other such short-term rentals, is subject to charging a Room Occupancy Tax in accordance with North Carolina General Statute §153A-155 and §160A-215.

Other Rules

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Town of Carolina Beach for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    4.3
  • Competition

    2.6
  • Real Estate Cost

    4.8
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    2.8
  • Rental Rates

    7.1

Carolina Beach, North Carolina Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
6,399
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
New Hanover
Airports
Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ)
Review our Carolina Beach North Carolina short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Carolina Beach?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Carolina Beach rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Carolina Beach rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Carolina Beach.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Carolina Beach Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Carolina Beach guests.

Interested in other North Carolina cities?

Check out the North Carolina Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Carolina Beach a great place to invest?

  • Stunning Beaches: Bask in the sun and feel the warm Atlantic waves caress your feet as you stroll along Carolina Beach's pristine shoreline. With its soft sand, crystal-clear waters, and ample space for relaxation, the beach provides the perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing.
  • Vibrant Boardwalk: Step back in time as you explore the nostalgic Carolina Beach Boardwalk, packed with colorful shops, mouthwatering eateries, and lively entertainment. Don't miss the weekly summertime fireworks and live music that add to the boardwalk's festive atmosphere.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Unleash your inner adventurer with a myriad of water sports like surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. For land lovers, venture out on scenic trails by foot or bike, or explore the natural beauty of the nearby Carolina Beach State Park.
  • Fishing Excursions: Cast a line and reel in the catch of the day on the family-friendly Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, or set sail on a deep-sea fishing charter for a thrilling offshore experience. Anglers of all skill levels will find plenty to keep them hooked.
  • Aquatic Wildlife Encounters: Immerse yourself in the region's rich marine life as you snorkel or scuba dive through vibrant underwater landscapes, or embark on a dolphin-watching cruise for an unforgettable encounter with these playful creatures.

Carolina Beach Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Carolina Beach?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Carolina Beach has increased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $424, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$585,006

0% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$424

1% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,915

-2% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Word Cloud for Carolina Beach, North Carolina Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Carolina Beach short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Carolina Beach has a description approximately 2,024 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 3,203 listings in Carolina Beach, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Carolina Beach, Beach, Deck, Pool, Outdoor, Fort Fisher, Ocean, Family, Ocean view, and Oceanfront.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Carolina Beach?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Carolina Beach involve Swimming, Surfing, Boating, Cycling, and the Beach. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Swimming

Surfing

Boating

Cycling

Beach

Marina

Jet Skiing

Sailing

Paddle Boating

Wildlife Viewing

Museums

Wind Surfing

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Carolina Beach, including University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Battleship North Carolina. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Regional Landmark

Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Carolina Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Kure Beach Pier

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Carolina Beach Fishing Pier

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Freeman Park

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Wrightsville Beach

Included on 80% of listings

Local Landmark

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Included on 59% of listings

Local Landmark

Oak Island Lighthouse

Included on 45% of listings

Regional Landmark

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Included on 41% of listings

Local Landmark

Johnnie Mercer's Pier

Included on 14% of listings

Regional Landmark

Battleship North Carolina

Included on 3% of listings

What’s the weather like in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?

The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 72°, while the average low is about 57°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 49 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Carolina Beach are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

42° Low 58° High

Precipitation
10.6"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
1.2 days
Cloudiness
48%

Spring

March through May

56° Low 71° High

Precipitation
9.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
15.1 days
Cloudiness
44%

Summer

June through August

73° Low 85° High

Precipitation
15.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
79.7 days
Cloudiness
54%

Fall

September through November

58° Low 74° High

Precipitation
13.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
30.0 days
Cloudiness
41%