Short-Term Rentals in Wilmington, NC (2026)
2 verified short-term rentals rules for Wilmington, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Wilmington regulates short-term rentals through the Land Development Code. Operators must obtain an STR permit and comply with zoning, safety, and tax requirements.
Wilmington Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsN.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-1207
In no event may a local government do any of the following: (i) adopt or enforce any ordinance that would require any owner or manager of rental property to obtain any permit or permission under Article 11 or Article 12 of this Chapter from the local government to lease or rent residential real property or to register rental property with the local government, except for those individual proper...
Occupancy Limits
Wilmington caps homestay lodging, an owner-occupied short-term rental, at one fewer guest room than the home has bedrooms, and never more than three guest rooms, under City Code Section 18-330(2). In single-family districts, hosts must also issue guests a parking placard and limit patron vehicles on site to three.
Wilmington Homestay Guest Room Cap
Some RestrictionsWilmington City Code § 18-330(2), (3)
(2)The maximum number of guest rooms allowed shall be one (1) less than the total number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit, not to exceed three (3) guest rooms.(3)In the R-20, R-15, R-10, R-7, R-5, R-3, HD, HD-R, and HDMU districts:a.The host shall issue a parking placard to each guest parking on site.b.Guest parking shall be restricted to behind the plane of the front façade of the home, except...
Looking for New Hanover County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wilmington city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in New Hanover County →