Winston-Salem permits long-term ADU rentals subject to UDO 5.3.4 common ownership. The city currently has no general STR zoning permit; Forsyth County's STR regime applies only in A1 and Ag-Res zones. Under Schroeder v. City of Wilmington (2019), NC cities cannot outright prohibit STRs but may regulate them.
Winston-Salem distinguishes long-term and short-term ADU rentals. Long-term rentals (30+ days): No city license required. NC Residential Rental Agreements Act (NCGS Ch. 42) governs the lease. UDO Sec. 5.3.4 common-ownership applies; the ADU must remain on the parent parcel. NCGS 160D-1207 limits proactive rental inspection programs, and Winston-Salem does not maintain a general rental registry. Short-term rentals (under 30 days): As of this writing Winston-Salem has no general STR zoning-permit ordinance comparable to Greensboro's 2024 permit regime. In Forsyth County's unincorporated UDO jurisdiction, STRs are restricted to A1 (Agricultural) and Ag-Res (Agricultural Residential) zoning districts and require a Conditional Use Permit before applying for the Forsyth County Department of Business License Short-Term Rental License (application fee approximately $250). Winston-Salem-Forsyth Planning has discussed STR amendments at Planning Board, but no general city permit is in force. Following Schroeder v. City of Wilmington (2019), NC municipalities cannot ban STRs as zoning violations but may impose reasonable regulation. STR hosts must collect and remit NC state sales tax (4.75%), Forsyth County local option sales tax (2.25%), and Forsyth County Room Occupancy Tax (6%). Total tax burden exceeds 13%. HOA covenants commonly restrict STRs and operate as private restrictions enforceable in NC courts. Hosts should monitor City Council and Planning Board agendas because Winston-Salem could adopt a STR permit framework on short notice.
Long-term rentals violating UDO 5.3.4 face zoning enforcement. STR operations in Forsyth's A1/Ag-Res zones without a Conditional Use Permit and county business license face citation and tax penalties. Failure to remit Room Occupancy Tax is a NC violation.
Winston-Salem, NC
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Winston-Salem, NC
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Winston-Salem, NC
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Winston-Salem, NC
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Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is not in a designated high-severity wildfire zone, but wooded neighborhoods along Salem Creek, Muddy Creek, and the western edge near Pilot Mo...
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem permits recreational fire pits under the NC Fire Code (Section 307) when fires are contained, attended, and set back at least 25 feet from stru...
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