LicensedRental

Cabarrus County, North Carolina

Kannapolis, NC vacation rental requirements

Kannapolis doesn’t allow whole-home short-term rentals in its AG, R1, R2, and R4 districts, needs a special use permit in the R6 to R18 districts, and allows them in mixed-use, downtown, office, and commercial districts. Owner-occupied homestays are allowed in most districts. Stays pay 7% sales tax plus the county’s 6% occupancy tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.

Only when this town’s rules, fees, or forms change. Unsubscribe anytime.

Whole-home rentals
Limited by district
Not allowed in AG, R1, R2, R4; special use permit in R6, R7, R8, R18; allowed in MU, TOD, CC, O-I, and GC districts.Source
Homestays
Allowed in most districts
The owner must live there and be present during stays; 24 a year in R2 and R4.Source
Insurance
Liability coverage required
Taxes
7% sales + 6% occupancy

A small part of Kannapolis is in Rowan County. Ask which county’s occupancy tax applies if your home is on the Rowan side.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of North Carolina

  1. Know who owes the tax

    Whoever collects the rent reports the sales and occupancy tax: the platform, your rental agency, or you. Airbnb collects state and county sales tax and all local occupancy taxes on its bookings. If guests pay you directly, register with the Department of Revenue for sales tax and with your county or town for occupancy tax.Source

    NCDOR business registration →

  2. Use a written vacation rental agreement

    The Vacation Rental Act covers owners and agents renting for vacation stays under 90 days. Have the guest accept a written agreement with the required notices, hold advance payments in a trust account, and keep the home fit and habitable with working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.Source

  3. Check your zoning

    Towns can’t require you to register a rental, but they can limit short-term rentals to certain zoning districts, require a zoning permit, and set parking, trash, and safety standards. Pick your area for the local rules.Source

Cabarrus County, North Carolina

  1. Then your city or area

    Zoning rules for short-term rentals are set by each city or town, and by the county outside town limits. Pick your area.

City of Kannapolis

  1. Check your district

    Find your zoning district on the city map. In R6, R7, R8, and R18 you need a special use permit for a whole-home rental. In AG, R1, R2, and R4 only a homestay is possible.Source

  2. Meet the standards

    Use the home for lodging only, carry liability insurance that covers the rental, keep advertising out of sight from outside, and set trash carts out and back on collection day. Provide at least one parking space plus half a space per bedroom.Source

  3. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 90 days owe 7% sales tax plus the local occupancy tax. Airbnb collects both on its bookings. If guests pay you directly, file sales tax with the Department of Revenue. Cabarrus County’s occupancy tax is 6%. For direct bookings, file with the County Finance Department by the 20th of the following month.Source

House rules for guests

Homestay limits
One booking at a time; no detached ADU; no events
Source

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.