Baltimore vs Raleigh

Maryland Legal but Limited | North Carolina Legal with Permit

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Baltimore, Maryland
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit
Tax Rate 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Biennial
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations
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.

Permits & Licensing

Baltimore charges $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit for STR licensing, while Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal. Baltimore renewal is biennial, and Raleigh renewal is annual. Overall, Raleigh has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Baltimore (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Baltimore, hosts pay 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax. In Raleigh, hosts pay ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Raleigh imposes a 120-night annual limit, while Baltimore has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Baltimore face penalties including $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations. In Raleigh, violations can result in $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Baltimore Overview

Primary residence required; max two licenses per host. Stays must be under 90 consecutive nights. Must pass home inspection.

Contact: Baltimore DHCD Property Registration — (410) 396-3575

Full Baltimore 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.

Contact: Planning and Development — (919) 996-2500

Full Raleigh guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Baltimore or Raleigh?
Baltimore is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Raleigh is "Legal with Permit." Baltimore's permit fee is $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit compared to ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal in Raleigh. Overall, Raleigh has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Baltimore or Raleigh?
Baltimore charges 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax, while Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Baltimore: $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations. Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Baltimore and Raleigh have day limits for Airbnb?
Baltimore has no annual day limit. Raleigh limits STRs to 120 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Baltimore or Raleigh?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Baltimore charges $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit for permits with 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax in taxes. Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal with ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Automatic tax collection in Baltimore and Raleigh makes compliance easier for beginners.