Austin vs Raleigh
Texas Legal but Limited | North Carolina Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Austin, Texas | Raleigh, North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) | ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal |
| Tax Rate | 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) | ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 120 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible | $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible |
| Verdict | Raleigh has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Austin, Texas
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead)
Tax Rate 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible
Raleigh, North Carolina
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax)
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible
Raleigh has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Austin Overview
Type 1 (owner-occupied) is allowed citywide. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) licenses are no longer issued in residential areas — existing Type 2 licenses expire April 2027.
Full Austin guide →Raleigh Overview
STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.
Full Raleigh guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Raleigh?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Raleigh is "Legal with Permit." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal in Raleigh.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Raleigh?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible.