Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Goldsboro, NC?

Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in Goldsboro. The City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) permits lodging uses—including “Bed and Breakfast (Includes short‑term rental such as Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etc.)”—as a listed use under “Business and Personal Services” in the Off‑Street Parking Requirements table (Table 6‑1). There is no city‑wide prohibition on STRs in the materials provided, nor is there a separate STR ordinance referenced. As with any use, full compliance with zoning, parking, lighting, and site‑design standards remains mandatory.

How to start an STR business in Goldsboro (high‑level steps)

• Select a compliant property. Confirm the zoning district allows lodging uses (listed as “Bed and Breakfast,” etc.). If unsure, seek a zoning determination from the City.
• Design your STR for compliance. Use the UDO’s design standards for parking, lighting, and landscaping (see “Goldsboro Regulations” below).
• Building and life‑safety. If changing use or renting rooms, verify compliance with the North Carolina State Building Code (especially for egress, fire protection, and occupancy). If interior alterations are planned, a building permit may be required.
• Business licensing. Goldsboro requires a city business license (Business Privilege License). This is obtained through the City’s Finance Department; revenue/tax matters may require a separate process. If you collect state sales and transient accommodations taxes, you will need to register with the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
• Ongoing compliance. Maintain off‑street parking, lighting controls, and landscaping as required; manage guest parking; avoid nuisances (noise, glare); keep shared‑parking and access easements current if applicable.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City business license (Business Privilege License) — Goldsboro Finance Department; application details should be confirmed directly with the City.
• Building permit (as applicable) — for interior changes affecting egress, structural modifications, or changes of use.
• Certificate of occupancy (if required) — following completion and inspection.
• Zoning compliance — confirmation that lodging use is permitted under the property’s zoning. If not clearly permitted, request a written determination.
• North Carolina state tax registrations — if applicable, register with the N.C. Department of Revenue to collect/remit sales tax and transient accommodations (lodging) tax.
• Plans — prepare site plans, parking/loading layouts, lighting photometric plan (where applicable), and landscaping plans consistent with UDO Article 6 standards.

Goldsboro regulations (city‑level): STR use, parking, lighting, landscaping

• STR as lodging. “Bed and Breakfast (Includes short‑term rental such as Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etc.)” is specifically listed in the parking requirements table, indicating lodging uses are permissible and recognized for compliance purposes.
• Off‑street parking (Table 6‑1). Bed and Breakfast/STR parking is required at 1 space per room, plus 1 space per employee. Maximum is 2 spaces per room plus 1 per employee. The “room” for STRs typically means each rentable sleeping unit. If the STR is a whole‑house rental (entire dwelling), treat the entire dwelling as the “unit” and compute parking accordingly (consult the Administrator for guidance if occupancy models suggest higher parking demand).
• Where and how to provide parking (Section 6.1.3). Required spaces must be on the same parcel as the principal structure unless shared parking is used (see below). Spaces cannot be in the public right‑of‑way. They must be permanent and maintained in sound condition. Paving, drainage, striping, and overhang protection standards apply.
• Shared/off‑site parking (Section 6.1.6). Off‑site parking is allowed up to 300 feet from the STR in non‑residential zoning districts, subject to a recorded, five‑year agreement approved by the City Attorney and Administrator. Mixed‑use/shared‑parking reductions are available per Table 6‑2 (weekday/weekend/time‑of‑day allowances).
• Loading (Section 6.1.7–6.1.8). Loading spaces are required for commercial uses with regular deliveries; if needed, minimum dimensions are 15 ft x 30 ft with 15 ft clear height. Seek a modification if applicable.
• Lighting standards (Section 6.2). Commercial lighting must meet IESNA recommendations with minimum maintained foot‑candle levels (e.g., parking lots: 0.5 min for low activity, 0.9 min for medium activity, 1.1 min for high activity; uniformity ratio 4:1). Full cutoff fixtures are generally required for >2,000‑lumens outdoor area/parking lighting. Maximum trespass is 0.4 FC at property lines unless a higher level is approved. Building‑mounted lighting must be full cutoff outside service/loading areas.
• Landscaping, screening, buffering (Section 6.3). Vehicular Surface Area (VSA) landscaping requires 50% of plantings within VSA interior islands/medians, 50% evergreen, and all spaces within 60 ft of a parking lot tree unless the impervious surface ratio (ISR) is <0.20. Tree preservation rules (CRZ protection, fencing, and credit rules) apply. Buffer yard standards (Types A–D) apply between different land‑use classes (Tables 6‑8 and 6‑9). Protected street yards and street‑tree requirements apply to all frontages.

Note on exemptions and adjustments (Section 6.3.2). Single‑family and two‑family dwellings are exempt from landscaping standards. Modifications of up to 20% of landscaping requirements may be granted by the Planning Director upon written request.

Wayne County regulations (county‑level)

The materials provided do not include county‑specific STR regulations. Confirm with the Wayne County Planning/Zoning or Board of Commissioners for any county‑level permits or rules.

North Carolina state‑level regulations

• Building/life‑safety. The North Carolina State Building Code governs egress, fire protection, occupancy, and accessibility. Interior alterations to add guest rooms, alter exits, or convert a dwelling to lodging trigger code compliance and potential permits/inspections.
• Taxes. North Carolina requires collection/remittance of sales tax and transient accommodations tax by lodging operators, including STRs. Register with the N.C. Department of Revenue; consult current rates and filing schedules.

Key contacts (phone, email, website where available)

• City of Goldsboro – Planning & Development (Administrator, UDO/Zoning): 919‑580‑4323; website: www.goldsboronc.gov
• City of Goldsboro – Building Inspections: 919‑580‑4323; website: www.goldsboronc.gov
• City of Goldsboro – Finance Department (Business License): 919‑580‑4323; website: www.goldsboronc.gov
• North Carolina Department of Revenue (State tax registration): 877‑308‑9092; website: www.ncdor.gov
• Wayne County Planning/Zoning: 919‑731‑1435; website: www.waynegov.com

Note: Phone numbers listed above are from the City’s main contact lines referenced on the City website; verify current extensions and staff assignments with the Department.

Source links (for reference and detailed codes)

• UDO Article 6 – Supplemental Regulations (Parking, Loading, Lighting, Landscaping): www.goldsboronc.gov/wp-content/uploads/UDO160D-Article-6.pdf
• City of Goldsboro – Official Website: www.goldsboronc.gov

Practical takeaway for investors: Goldsboro explicitly recognizes STRs as lodging within its parking and zoning framework. Success hinges on getting the parking right (1 space per rentable room + 1 per employee; consider shared parking), meeting commercial lighting standards, and incorporating landscaping and buffering as applicable. Secure the city business license and confirm state tax registrations early; work closely with City Planning for any zoning questions and with Building Inspections for life‑safety/code compliance.