Arden, North Carolina

Arden is unincorporated and falls under Buncombe County zoning, not the more restrictive City of Asheville ordinance. Short-term rentals are currently permitted in most areas of unincorporated Buncombe County without owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirements. Operators must obtain a county Short-Term Rental permit, which costs $150 and renews every two years at the same fee. All STRs must collect and remit a 6% county occupancy tax on gross rental receipts, in addition to applicable state and local sales tax.

Property-level restrictions include: a maximum floor area of approximately 9,000 sq ft, no rentals in airport overlay zones, no rentals in attached units or structures not approved for permanent habitation (RVs, trailers, sheds, tents), and a 10-person cap on events or gatherings absent an exemption. Enforcement is rated moderate, with fines up to $500 per day for unlicensed operation. Buncombe County was developing tighter STR rules through an Ad Hoc Committee, with proposals that would limit new permits to single-family detached units in certain districts. Those efforts were paused following Hurricane Helene’s impact in late September 2024. As of mid-2026 the prior rules remain in effect, but investors should verify current zoning status with Buncombe County Planning before purchasing, as the regulatory environment may shift when the county resumes its rulemaking process.