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.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decor. UDO setback rules in Section 1.5.5 apply to permanent str...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. General noise rules under Raleigh Code Chapter 12 and right-of-way rules under Code...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. There is no display-window restriction, brightness cap, or duration limit. UDO outdoor l...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh requires building, gas, electrical, and plumbing trade permits for built-in outdoor kitchens with utility connections under the NC State Building Cod...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential wood-fired smokers or pizza ovens. Smoke nuisance complaints fall under Raleigh Code Sectio...
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings under the North Carolina F...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wake County.
See how other cities in Wake County handle primary-residence-only rule.
See how Raleigh's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.