Wilmington, NC Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Section 18-330 governs homestay lodging in Wilmington's single-family, multifamily, and historic districts, and it is distinct from the whole-house lodging and bed and breakfast categories elsewhere in the code. Subsection (2) sets the numeric occupancy control at the room level rather than a headcount: the maximum number of guest rooms allowed is one less than the total number of bedrooms in the dwelling, and in no case more than three guest rooms, regardless of how large the house is. Subsection (3) adds occupancy-adjacent controls for the R-20, R-15, R-10, R-7, R-5, R-3, HD, HD-R, and HDMU districts: the host must issue a parking placard to every guest who parks on site, guest parking must stay behind the plane of the home's front facade unless an existing improved surface predates the ordinance, and no more than three patron-owned vehicles may be parked on site at any time.

A homestay must be the host's principal residence, and only a property owner may register the use annually with the city; the registration is void if not renewed each year. Posted notice inside the unit must state the maximum number of overnight occupants along with the host's name and phone number, consistent with subsection (10).