North Carolina Rental licensing / registration

Do landlords need a rental license or registration in North Carolina?

North Carolina cities and counties generally may not require rental registration or a permit to rent. The exceptions are individual properties with more than four verified violations in a rolling 12 months (or two in 30 days) or in the top 10% for crime or disorder under a local ordinance. Local governments may not make a registration violation a crime. Statute text: "adopt or enforce any ordinance that would require any owner or manager of rental property to obtain any permit or permission under Article 11 or Article 12 of this Chapter from the local government to lease or rent residential real property or to register rental property with the local government" (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-1207(c)).

Verified Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D-1207(c) · last checked 2026-10-17