Is Airbnb legal in Winston-Salem, NC?
AllowedAirbnb is allowed in Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem has no dedicated STR ordinance and requires no STR permit, treating STRs under general residential zoning that may permit or exclude the use by district. There is no owner-occupancy rule or night cap, and registration is only for the county occupancy tax. A widely reported STR ban belongs to the separate town of Highlands, not Winston-Salem.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Not required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem has no dedicated STR ordinance and requires no STR permit, treating STRs under general residential zoning that may permit or exclude the use by district. There is no owner-occupancy rule or night cap, and registration is only for the county occupancy tax. A widely reported STR ban belongs to the separate town of Highlands, not Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem broadly permits short-term rentals. Expect to register and collect lodging tax, but there is real room for an investor STR strategy.
At the state level, North Carolina limits how far cities can go in banning short-term rentals.
What it means for investors
Winston-Salem is relatively open to short-term rentals, so an STR strategy is on the table. Run the numbers on a specific property, and compare it to a straight long-term rental to see which pencils better.
Short-term rental rules elsewhere in North Carolina
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem has no dedicated STR ordinance and requires no STR permit, treating STRs under general residential zoning that may permit or exclude the use by district. There is no owner-occupancy rule or night cap, and registration is only for the county occupancy tax. A widely reported STR ban belongs to the separate town of Highlands, not Winston-Salem. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Winston-Salem?
Based on the current information, Winston-Salem does not require a specific short-term rental permit, though a general business license and lodging-tax registration may still apply. Always confirm with the city.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Winston-Salem?
Yes, Winston-Salem does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Winston-Salem?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Winston-Salem, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Winston-Salem?
Short-term rentals in Winston-Salem are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with North Carolina and the city.