Raleigh, North Carolina Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Raleigh 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
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. 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. View the zoning map here. For more information, see the Short-Term Rentals page.Business License Requirements
Submit a PDF of the entire Short-Term Rental Application packet (with all documents) via the Permit and Development Portal.Building and Housing Standards
Raleigh 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 Planning and Development for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county lawOther 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 Raleigh for more informationIs something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.8
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Competition
5.7 -
Real Estate Cost
6.0 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
8.6 -
Rental Rates
4.5
Raleigh, 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
- 467,665
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- April-May, September-October
- County
- Wake
- Airports
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Triangle North Executive Airport (LFN)
Want to learn more about Raleigh?
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 Raleigh rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Raleigh rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Raleigh.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Raleigh guests.
Interested in other North Carolina cities?
Check out the North Carolina short term rental regulations directory
What makes Raleigh a great place to invest?
- Rich History & Heritage: Step back in time at the North Carolina Museum of History, where you can explore the state's fascinating past, or visit the Historic Yates Mill County Park to admire a beautifully restored 18th-century gristmill.
- World-Class Museums: Stimulate your curiosity at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, or immerse yourself in the creative world at the North Carolina Museum of Art, showcasing masterpieces from ancient to contemporary.
- Lively Sports Scene: Catch a thrilling game of the Carolina Hurricanes, Raleigh's very own NHL team, or show your support for the North Carolina Football Club, the city's professional soccer team, as they compete in electrifying matches.
- Outdoor Adventures: Get your adrenaline pumping at William B. Umstead State Park, offering 5,599 acres of wilderness and 22 miles of hiking and biking trails, or embark on a scenic paddle down the Neuse River, taking in the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape.
- A Foodie's Paradise: Raleigh's diverse culinary scene boasts farm-to-table eateries, food trucks, and award-winning restaurants. Enjoy mouthwatering Southern cuisine, international flavors, and vibrant nightlife at the city's many dining establishments.
- Scenic Green Spaces: Take a leisurely stroll through Pullen Park, the oldest public park in North Carolina, or explore the JC Raulston Arboretum, a stunning 10-acre garden showcasing a diverse collection of plants and breathtaking landscapes. These lush urban oases offer a perfect retreat from the bustling city life.
Raleigh Nearby Cities
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9 miles away
- Rating: 6.8
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22 miles away
- Rating: 5.8
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $268, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$479,280
1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$268
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,814
3% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Raleigh
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Raleigh, North Carolina
Common terms for Raleigh 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 Raleigh has a description approximately 1,223 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 2,267 listings in Raleigh, 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, Downtown, Place, Quiet, Comfortable, Perfect, Deck, Spacious, and Backyard.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Hiking, the Health Spa, and Cycling. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Hiking
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Health Spa
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Cycling
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Adventure Activities
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Kayaking
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Swimming
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Antiquing
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Paddle Boating
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Wildlife Viewing
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Boating
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Raleigh, including North Carolina State University, Crabtree Valley Mall, PNC Arena, Raleigh Convention Center, and North Hills Shopping Center. 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.
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Regional Landmark
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Raleigh Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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North Carolina State University
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Crabtree Valley Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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PNC Arena
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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UNC REX Hospital
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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North Carolina Museum of Art
Included on 90% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Included on 89% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Red Hat Amphitheater
Included on 82% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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North Hills Shopping Center
Included on 78% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Included on 78% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Triangle Town Center
Included on 68% of listings
What’s the weather like in Raleigh, 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 40 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 7 inches per year. The humidity levels in Raleigh 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 54° High
Spring
March through May
50° Low 72° High
Summer
June through August
69° Low 87° High
Fall
September through November
52° Low 72° High
Cities Near Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina, is located in Wake County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
