Forsyth County, NC Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Forsyth County, NC, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Statewide STR preemption
- None in North Carolina
- County/city STR permit
- None required
- Bed and Breakfast
- Special Use Permit (ZBA)
- Governing code
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth UDO
- Authority
- N.C.G.S. Ch. 160D
Summary
North Carolina has no statewide short-term-rental licensing preemption, and neither Forsyth County nor Winston-Salem issues a dedicated STR permit. A whole-house rental is treated as a residential use. A Bed and Breakfast, however, needs a Special Use Permit from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Uses Allowed With Special Use Permit From Zoning Board of Adjustment (A): Bed and Breakfast.
Full Breakdown
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unified Development Ordinance (adopted under N.C.G.S. Ch. 160D) contains no standalone Airbnb or short-term-rental permit category. Renting a dwelling short-term is generally allowed as a residential use, so no separate land-use license is required. The one lodging use that IS regulated by permit is a Bed and Breakfast: in single-family residential (RS) districts it appears in the use table only under 'Uses Allowed With Special Use Permit From Zoning Board of Adjustment (A).' Owners should still confirm their exact zoning district and, if inside a town like Kernersville or Clemmons, check that town's rules.
Violations & Fines
Operating a use requiring a Special Use Permit without one is a UDO zoning violation, subject to citation and civil penalties by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections and zoning enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city license to run an Airbnb here?
What if my property is inside a town?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
How Forsyth County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the North Carolina short-term rentals overview
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