Raleigh does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investors may operate STRs in dwellings where they do not live, provided the zoning district permits the use and the operator holds a valid zoning permit issued by the planning department.
The city's revised 2020 STR ordinance regulates STRs as a land use within the Unified Development Ordinance rather than tying permits to owner-occupancy. This contrasts with cities like New Orleans or Santa Monica that limit STRs to primary residences. Raleigh's approach reflects North Carolina General Statutes constraints on local registration schemes, especially after the 2019 Schroeder v. Raleigh decision. Non-primary-residence STRs are common in neighborhoods near downtown, NC State, and the PNC Arena, though some HOAs and condo declarations impose private restrictions independent of city law.
Operating without a zoning permit triggers enforcement under Raleigh UDO and Ch. 12, including stop-use orders, daily civil penalties, and potential injunctive action by the city attorney.
Raleigh, NC
CCRs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions) are enforceable contracts recorded against each lot in a Raleigh planned community under NC Gen Stat Chapter 4...
Raleigh, NC
Short-term rentals (30 days or less) require a zoning permit from the City of Raleigh, renewed annually. Permitted as a Limited Use in R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-...
See how Raleigh's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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