Raleigh vs Salt Lake City
North Carolina Legal with Permit | Utah Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Raleigh, North Carolina | Salt Lake City, Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal | Contact city for current details |
| Tax Rate | ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax) | ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT) |
| Annual Day Limit | 120 days/year | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible | Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines |
| Verdict | Raleigh has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines
Raleigh has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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 →Salt Lake City Overview
Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.
Full Salt Lake City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Raleigh or Salt Lake City?
Raleigh is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Salt Lake City is "Effectively Banned." Raleigh's permit fee is ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal compared to Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Raleigh or Salt Lake City?
Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax), while Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines.