LicensedRental

Vance County, North Carolina

Unincorporated Vance County, NC vacation rental requirements

Vance County is rewriting its zoning ordinance, and the August 2026 draft adds short-term rental uses with standards for host-occupied rentals. Until it’s adopted, ask the county how it treats a rental at your address. Stays owe 6.75% 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.

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Draft zoning
Host-occupied and non-host-occupied rentals
In the draft, rentals without a host on site can’t be approved through a conditional rezoning. The draft is not adopted.Source
Taxes
6.75% sales + 6% occupancy

Kerr Lake shoreline and federal lands have their own rules. Part of the lake is in Granville County and Virginia.

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

Vance County, North Carolina

  1. 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. Vance County’s 6% occupancy tax applies; ask the county where direct-booking hosts file.Source

  2. 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.

Vance County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Ask Planning and Development

    Ask the county which use your rental falls under today and whether you need a zoning compliance permit. Zoning and building permits are filed online.Source

    Vance County Planning →

  2. Watch the new UDO

    The draft sets standards for host-occupied rentals (including bed and breakfasts): access from a state-maintained road, no kitchens in guest rooms, at least one bathroom for every two guest rooms, no parking in the front yard, screening for parking, and one unlit sign up to 24 square feet.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. Vance County’s 6% occupancy tax applies; ask the county where direct-booking hosts file.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.