Onslow County, North Carolina
Jacksonville, NC vacation rental requirements
We found no short-term rental zoning rules in Jacksonville’s code. Stays owe 7% sales tax + 6% occupancy tax (3% county + 3% city); Airbnb collects these on its bookings.
Checked against official sources November 6, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
We searched for short-term rental rules in November 2026 and found none. Confirm with the City of Jacksonville before you list.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of North Carolina
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
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
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
Onslow County, North Carolina
File the county’s 3% tax
If guests pay you directly, report and pay Onslow County’s 3% occupancy tax online through GovOS or on the paper form by the 15th of the next month, even in months with no rentals.Source
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 Jacksonville
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. Jacksonville adds a 3% occupancy tax to the county’s 3%. For direct bookings, file the city’s monthly report with the Jacksonville Finance Director by the 20th, and the county share with Onslow County Finance by the 15th.Source
Ask about zoning
Ask the City of Jacksonville whether zoning allows a short-term rental at your address. Check your HOA rules too.
Sources
- Occupancy taxes and Airbnb · UNC School of Government
- Vacation Rental Act (G.S. Chapter 42A) · North Carolina General Assembly
- Short-term rental regulations after Schroeder · UNC School of Government
- Occupancy Tax · Onslow County Finance Office
- Occupancy Tax · City of Jacksonville Finance
- Code of ordinances · Jacksonville (Municode)
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.