Greensboro, NC Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Greensboro distinguishes long-term and short-term ADU rentals. Long-term rentals (30+ days): No city license required, but LDO Sec. 30-8-11.2 owner-occupancy applies - the owner must occupy one unit on the lot. NC Residential Rental Agreements Act (NCGS Ch. 42) governs the lease. Greensboro does not maintain a general rental registry; Proactive Rental Inspection under NCGS 160D-1207 applies only to properties with documented substantial code violations. Short-term rentals (under 30 days): Effective April 1, 2024, all STRs operating within Greensboro must obtain a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit issued by Greensboro Planning, codified in the LDO STR amendments. Permit fee: $200 (one-time; no annual renewal unless ownership or management changes - new permit required within 30 days of change). Insurance: $1 million liability coverage required. Permits are issued as either Homestay Rentals (room rental within an owner-occupied dwelling) or Whole-House Rentals. Multi-family caps: no more than one dwelling unit per building, or 25% of total units per building, whichever is greater, may operate as STR. In February 2025, the City Council removed the prior 750-ft separation requirement between STR properties. Following Schroeder v. City of Wilmington (2019), NC municipalities cannot prohibit STRs as zoning violations but may impose reasonable regulation - the Greensboro permit regime exists under that framework. STR hosts must collect and remit NC state sales tax (4.75%), Guilford County local option sales tax (2.25%), and Guilford County Room Occupancy Tax (6%). Total tax burden exceeds 13%. HOA covenants commonly restrict STRs and operate as private restrictions enforceable in NC courts.