New regulations for short-term rentals goes into effect in Greensboro

The city of Greensboro's short-term rental regulations went into effect Monday establishing new parameters for people operating properties like Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals by Owner.

According to the new regulations, short-term rentals are only allowed in residential dwelling units. Owners also now have to apply to the city to receive a zoning permit.

The ordinance was first passed by the City Council last year in May. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said at that meeting this will help the city regulate these particular properties.

"Short-term rentals are here already," she said. "So this is just a way of us permitting them and making them accountable to the city, and to give the neighborhoods greater say in what's going on."

Greensboro defines these properties as rentals of a "portion or all of a residentially used property for a period of no more than 30 days." In 2023, the city estimated there were more than 600 advertised.

As part of the ordinance, no more than one dwelling unit, or 25% of units within a multifamily building, can be used for a short-term rental.

Other rules limit parking and include a maximum of two adults allowed per rented bedroom.