LicensedRental

Columbus County, North Carolina

Whiteville, NC vacation rental requirements

Whiteville allows Airbnb- and Vrbo-style short-term rentals in its RA-20, R-20, R-12, R-6, O-I, and B-1 districts, with off-street parking. Its code also says rentals must be registered with the city. Stays pay 6.75% sales tax plus the county’s 3% occupancy tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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Where allowed
RA-20, R-20, R-12, R-6, O-I, B-1
Parking
2 spaces for up to 3 bedrooms
Plus one space for each additional bedroom, on site and off the street.Source
City registration
In the code
State law has barred rental registration since 2022; ask the city what it requires now.Source
Taxes
6.75% sales + 3% occupancy tax

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

Columbus County, North Carolina

  1. Then your town or area

    Zoning rules and some occupancy taxes are set by each town, and by the county outside town limits. Pick your area.

City of Whiteville

  1. Check your district and parking

    The home must be a conforming residential use in one of the six allowed districts, with two off-street spaces for up to three bedrooms and one more for each extra bedroom.Source

  2. Ask about registration

    The zoning code says short-term rentals must be properly registered with the city. Ask the city whether it still runs a registration or uses a zoning permit instead.Source

  3. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 90 days owe 6.75% 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. Columbus County levies a 3% occupancy tax (July 2026 statewide profile). For direct bookings, ask the county where to file it.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.