Short-Term Rentals in Buncombe County, NC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
In unincorporated Buncombe County, a single vacation rental (up to two homes / 9,000 sq ft) is a permitted use in most zoning districts. Larger vacation rental complexes need a conditional use permit, and a zoning compliance certificate is required.
Buncombe County Vacation Rental Permits (Zoning Ordinance)
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 78-581 (Definitions)
Vacation rental means no more than two single family homes with a combined total of no more than 9,000 square feet gross floor area which are rented for two (2) days or more to tourists, vacationers, or similar transients.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Buncombe County's Zoning Ordinance requires a vacation rental complex or rooming house to provide at least one off-street parking space for every two guest rooms, and to screen parking with a vegetative buffer or fencing next to single-family homes.
Buncombe County Vacation Rental Parking (1 Per 2 Guest Rooms)
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 78-678(9)(b)
Parking requirements shall be at least one space for each two proposed guest rooms. Such parking areas shall be visually screened with a vegetative buffer or fencing adjacent to any single family residential development.
Occupancy Limits
A Buncombe County vacation rental complex may contain no more than 10 separate vacation rental units; anything larger is treated as a hotel/motel. Complexes must also provide one bathroom for every four guest rooms and keep 20 feet between buildings.
Buncombe County Vacation Rental Complex Unit Cap
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 78-581 (Definitions)
A vacation rental complex shall include no more than 10 separate vacation rental units. A development consisting of more than 10 vacation rental units shall be considered a hotel or motel for purposes of this ordinance except within the Open Use District (OU) where it shall be considered a vacation rental complex.
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