Raleigh does not impose a hard cap on the number of nights per year a short-term rental can be rented. Whole-home rentals are treated as a regulated use under the Unified Development Ordinance but can operate year-round with a valid zoning permit. Raleigh distinguishes between hosted (owner-present) and unhosted (owner-absent) STRs, with somewhat stricter buffer rules for unhosted. Many HOA communities and downtown condo buildings impose minimum-stay requirements of 30, 90, or 180 days under NC General Statute Chapter 47F, which effectively bans nightly rentals.
Unlike some major tourist markets such as San Francisco, New Orleans, and Austin, Raleigh has not adopted a cap on the number of nights per year that a property can be offered as a short-term rental. Once a host obtains the required zoning permit under the Unified Development Ordinance, the property can legally be rented for any number of nights throughout the year, subject to the other rules on occupancy, parking, and tax collection. Raleigh's ordinance does distinguish between hosted (owner present during the stay) and unhosted (owner absent) short-term rentals, with unhosted rentals subject to somewhat stricter zoning and buffer rules because they are perceived as having greater neighborhood impact. Neither category, however, carries a numerical annual night limit imposed by the city.
Where night limits do appear in Raleigh is at the HOA, condo, and deed-restriction level. Many newer planned communities governed under NC General Statute Chapter 47F (the North Carolina Planned Community Act) prohibit rentals of less than a specified duration - typically 30 days, 90 days, or 180 days - which effectively bans nightly short-term rentals regardless of the city permit. Downtown condo buildings such as The Hue, 222 Glenwood, Skyhouse Raleigh, The Dawson, and Quorum Center have association rules that range from outright STR bans to caps of a few dozen rental days per year per unit. Some HOAs enforce through fines that compound daily for violations, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals has generally upheld HOA minimum-stay rules as enforceable under Chapter 47F. Hosts should always read the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCRs) and HOA rules before applying for a Raleigh STR zoning permit, because a valid city permit does not override contractual HOA restrictions and the HOA can sue for injunctive relief in Wake County civil court to compel compliance. Buyers considering a property specifically for STR use should request the complete CCR and any amendments before closing and should consider an attorney review if the covenants are ambiguous.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Raleigh code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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