Wilmington, North Carolina Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Wilmington 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 lodging is defined as overnight stays in a residence of up to 29 nights. There are two types of short-term lodging:- Homestay lodging is the rental of individual bedrooms within the host's home. The host lives and remains onsite during the rental period.
- Whole-house lodging is the rental of an entire dwelling without a host present. A local operator must be within 25 miles and available 24 hours a day.
Business License Requirements
Due to a recent court decision, the City of Wilmington will no longer require registration for short-term rentals or enforce the cap and separation requirements in the City’s short-term lodging ordinance. All other provisions of the ordinance remain in effect.Building and Housing Standards
Wilmington 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 Code Enforcement for more informationTourist 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 the City of Wilmington for more informationIs something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating7.1
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Competition
6.1 -
Real Estate Cost
7.6 -
STR Regulations
10.0 -
Seasonality
7.4 -
Rental Rates
4.4
Wilmington, 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
- 115,451
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- May-September
- County
- New Hanover
- Airports
- Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
- Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ)
Want to learn more about Wilmington?
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 Wilmington rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Wilmington rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Wilmington.
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 Wilmington guests.
Interested in other North Carolina cities?
Check out the North Carolina Airbnb rules directory
What makes Wilmington a great place to invest?
- Historic Riverwalk: Stroll along Wilmington's charming Historic Riverwalk, a scenic mile-long wooden boardwalk that runs parallel to the Cape Fear River. With picturesque views, waterfront dining, and a plethora of shops and galleries, this lively destination offers a perfect blend of history, leisure, and entertainment.
- USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial: Step back in time and explore the USS North Carolina, a World War II-era battleship and now an awe-inspiring floating museum. This well-preserved piece of history offers a unique insight into the lives of sailors during wartime, with interactive exhibits and guided tours that captivate visitors of all ages.
- Airlie Gardens: Discover the natural beauty of Airlie Gardens, a 67-acre oasis boasting vibrant flora, enchanting walking trails, and the famous Airlie Oak, which is over 470 years old. The gardens host seasonal events, including the dazzling Airlie Summer Concert Series and the enchanting Enchanted Airlie during the holiday season.
- Surf, Sand, and Sun: With three stunning beaches - Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure - just a short drive away, Wilmington is a beach lover's paradise. Enjoy an array of water sports, such as surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking, or simply bask in the sun on the pristine shores.
- Wilmington Hammerheads Soccer: Catch the electrifying action of a Wilmington Hammerheads soccer game at the Legion Stadium. This beloved local sports team competes in the USL League Two, and attending a match is an unforgettable experience filled with thrilling moments and passionate fans.
- Outdoor Adventures Galore: Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in and around Wilmington. Paddle through scenic marshes and waterways on a guided kayak tour, hike or bike the area's numerous nature trails, or try your hand at fishing in the Cape Fear River or from one of the nearby piers.
Wilmington Nearby Cities
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16 miles away
- Rating: 4.3
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33 miles away
- Rating: 5.6
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Wilmington?
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 Wilmington has decreased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $250, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$365,926
0% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$250
7% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,798
2% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Wilmington, North Carolina
Common terms for Wilmington 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 Wilmington has a description approximately 1,387 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 1,589 listings in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, Downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Downtown, Beach, Block, Perfect, Backyard, Place, and Quiet.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Wilmington?
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 Wilmington involve going to the City Centre, Boating, Museums, Swimming, and Surfing. 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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Boating
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Museums
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Swimming
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Surfing
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Kayaking
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Antiquing
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Marina
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Paddle Boating
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Sailing
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Jet Skiing
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Adventure Activities
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Wilmington, including University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Battleship North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach, and Wilmington Convention 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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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Battleship North Carolina
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Wilmington Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Mayfaire Town Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Cape Fear Community College
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Wrightsville Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Johnnie Mercer's Pier
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Carolina Beach
Included on 89% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Carolina Beach Fishing Pier
Included on 32% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Freeman Park
Included on 29% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Airlie Gardens
Included on 26% of listings
What’s the weather like in Wilmington, North Carolina?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 73°, while the average low is about 56°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 47 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 Wilmington 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
40° Low 58° High
Spring
March through May
54° Low 73° High
Summer
June through August
72° Low 87° High
Fall
September through November
57° Low 75° High
Cities Near Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina, is located in New Hanover County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
