Orange County, NC Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- State+local sales
- 7.5% in Orange County
- Occupancy tax
- 3% county
- Applies when
- Stays under 90 days
- Total burden
- ~10.5%
- Platforms
- Airbnb/Vrbo auto-collect most
Summary
Short-term stays under 90 days in Orange County are subject to North Carolina sales tax (4.75% state plus 2.75% local, 7.5% combined) and the county's 3% room occupancy tax. Airbnb and Vrbo collect most of these automatically.
The gross receipts derived from the rental of an accommodation are subject to the general state and applicable local and transit rates of sales and use tax and any local occupancy tax.
Full Breakdown
Rentals of accommodations for fewer than 90 consecutive days are taxable in North Carolina. Operators owe combined state-and-local sales and use tax, 7.5% total in Orange County, plus the county's 3% room occupancy tax on the gross receipts. That county tax applies to homes, rooms, cottages, hotel rooms, bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals, including Airbnb and Vrbo listings. The platforms collect and remit state sales tax and, in many cases, the local occupancy tax, but operators remain responsible for registering with the NC Department of Revenue and confirming county remittance. Total tax on a stay runs about 10.5%.
Violations & Fines
Failure to collect or remit means back taxes plus penalties and interest. NC DOR pursues state sales tax, and Orange County enforces the 3% occupancy tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orange County's occupancy tax rate?
Does Airbnb collect these taxes for me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
How Orange County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Orange County to another location·View the North Carolina short-term rentals overview
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