Cary, North Carolina Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Cary 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

The town of Cary has no regulations on short-term rentals. We advise that you check with your HOA when considering a specific property.

Business License Requirements

The town of Cary doesn't have any regulations about registering short-term rentals. If applicable, apply for all State and County licenses.

Building and Housing Standards

The town of Cary 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 NC Building Codes for more information.

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 Cary for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.8
  • Competition

    7.1
  • Real Estate Cost

    5.2
  • STR Regulations

    10.0
  • Seasonality

    7.8
  • Rental Rates

    4.1

Cary, 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
174,721
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Chatham
Airports
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Horace Williams Airport (IGX)
Review our Cary North Carolina short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Cary?

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 Cary rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Cary rental market.

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Cary 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 Cary guests.

Interested in other North Carolina cities?

Check out the North Carolina Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Cary a great place to invest?

  • Charming Downtown: Stroll through the heart of Cary, where history meets modernity. Downtown Cary offers a delightful mix of quaint shops, art galleries, and delectable dining options. Don't miss the beautiful Page-Walker Arts & History Center, an architectural gem that showcases local history and talent.
  • Sports Enthusiast's Haven: Get your adrenaline pumping at the USA Baseball National Training Complex or the WakeMed Soccer Park. These world-class facilities host collegiate, professional, and international competitions, offering sports fans ample opportunities to catch a thrilling game.
  • Art Lovers' Paradise: Be inspired at the Cary Arts Center, which offers a variety of exhibits, performances, and classes. Witness the magic of live theater at the Cary Playhouse or indulge in the melodious tunes of the North Carolina Symphony at the beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
  • Green Spaces Galore: Discover Cary's 30+ public parks, including the lush and picturesque Fred G. Bond Metro Park. Immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the park's hiking trails, boating, and scenic picnic spots. Venture a little further to the stunning Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, where you can explore rare Eastern Hemlock trees and tranquil walking trails

Cary Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Cary?

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 Cary has increased 3% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $278, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$552,645

3% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$278

2% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,790

2% YoY

Property Descriptions

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

Word Cloud for Cary, North Carolina Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Cary 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 Cary has a description approximately 1,274 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 1,094 listings in Cary, 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 Raleigh, Downtown Raleigh, Cary, NC, Quiet, Spacious, Perfect, Place, Shopping, and Outdoor.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Cary?

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 Cary involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Hiking, Cycling, and the Health Spa. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

City Centre

Museums

Hiking

Cycling

Health Spa

Boating

Adventure Activities

Swimming

Kayaking

Paddle Boating

Wildlife Viewing

Ice Skating

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Cary, including North Carolina State University, Crabtree Valley Mall, PNC Arena, Raleigh Convention Center, and Research Triangle Park. 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.

Well Known Attraction

North Carolina State University

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

PNC Arena

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Crabtree Valley Mall

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

UNC REX Hospital

Included on 92% of listings

Regional Landmark

Research Triangle Park

Included on 87% of listings

Regional Landmark

North Carolina Museum of Art

Included on 84% of listings

Regional Landmark

Raleigh Convention Center

Included on 76% of listings

Regional Landmark

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Included on 56% of listings

Regional Landmark

Red Hat Amphitheater

Included on 50% of listings

Local Landmark

Cary Towne Center

Included on 47% of listings

Regional Landmark

Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

Included on 39% of listings

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

The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 71°, while the average low is about 51°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 39 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 8 inches per year. The humidity levels in Cary 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

35° Low 53° High

Precipitation
8.4"
Snowfall
7.5"
Muggy Days
0.3 days
Cloudiness
50%

Spring

March through May

50° Low 71° High

Precipitation
9.6"
Snowfall
0.8"
Muggy Days
6.9 days
Cloudiness
46%

Summer

June through August

68° Low 87° High

Precipitation
11.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
65.3 days
Cloudiness
44%

Fall

September through November

52° Low 71° High

Precipitation
9.8"
Snowfall
0.2"
Muggy Days
16.0 days
Cloudiness
39%