- Home
- Government
- Departments A - F
- Community Development
- Short-Term Rentals
Short-Term Rentals
Short-term rentals, sometimes called vacation rentals, are usually furnished rooms, apartments, condos, or houses that are rented out for short period of time (say, a couple of days or a week). Many people are familiar with companies that host these rentals such as Airbnb or VRBO, but short-term rentals can take many forms. They are different than hotels or apartments in that they are usually private property rented out for less than 30 days.
The revised Burke County Zoning Ordinance, adopted June 15, 2021, included a new section for the regulation of short-term rentals within the County. This regulation does not apply to hotels, motels, inns, or bed & breakfast establishments which are regulated separately.
In Burke County, short-term rentals have been divided into (2) two classifications:
- Owner Occupied Short-Term Rentals, which are rentals of rooms where the property owner resides on site for a minimum of 275 days per calendar year
- Dedicated Short-Term Rentals, in which the property owner does not reside on the property and the entire dwelling is for rent.
Anyone conducting a short-term rental within the county has one year from the date of the ordinance adoption to apply for and obtain a permit for the operation of their short-term rental. The deadline date is June 15, 2022.
To obtain a permit for a short-term rental, please fill out the application form and return it to the Community Development Department. Applications can be submitted:
By mail to Burke County Community Development, Attn: STR, PO Box 219, Morganton, NC 28680
In person at 110 North Green Street, Suite C, 1st Floor, Morganton, NC 28655
Or by completing the online application form at this link.
Short-term rentals in the Lake Overlay at Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, and along the Catawba River, by ordinance, are required to obtain a Special Use Permit before being issued their short-term rental permit.
For questions and additional information, please contact Bradley Kirkley, Burke County Zoning Administrator at 828-764-9036 or bradley.kirkley@burkenc.org or Jennifer Forney, Burke County Planner at 828-764-9037 or jennifer.forney@burkenc.org
Related Documents
- What is a short-term rental?
-
In Burke County, there are two types of short-term rentals:
- Owner Occupied Short-Term Rentals A property in which the owner lives on site and rents a room(s) to a person(s) traveling or vacationing for a short period of time.
- Dedicated Short-Term Rentals A rental property purchased solely for the purpose of renting to a person(s) traveling or vacationing for a short period of time.
Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental
- Can my houseboat be used as a short-term rental?
-
No. Houseboats and floating vessels of any type cannot be used as a short-term rental.
- How many guests am I allowed to have?
-
The overnight occupancy for a short-term rental is two (2) persons per (legal) bedroom.
- What is a designated responsible party?
-
A designated responsible party is a person or agency who is available to respond to complaints or other issues regarding the short-term rental.
- Who is required to have a designated responsible party?
-
“Dedicated” short-term rental owners are required to have a designated responsible party. “Owner Occupied” short-term rental owners are not required to have a designated responsible party because the owner is present during the rental period.
- What is a verified complaint?
-
A verified complaint is a report of violation of one or more of the short-term rental regulations that has been validated by the Zoning Administrator.
- What happens if I receive three verified complaints?
-
If a property owner receives three (3) verified complaints within a twelve (12) month period, the short-term rental permit will be revoked.
- How do I report a violation?
-
A short-term rental complaint form must be submitted in person, via mail, or online on the County’s website.
- Why is there an Inspection?
-
The inspection is to ensure the safety of the renters.
- How often will an inspection be performed?
-
There will be an initial inspection before the short-term rental permit is issued. A yearly inspection will be performed when the short-term rental permit is renewed.