Understanding Short Term Rental Rules at Wafco Mills

Short term rentals are a hot topic across North Carolina right now, and Wafco Mills is no exception. Between evolving Greensboro zoning rules, state condominium law, and our own governing documents, owners deserve clear, no-nonsense guidance on what is allowed, what is prohibited, and what happens if someone decides to test the limits.

Here is our official clarification, based on the Wafco Mills Declaration, Bylaws, Rules, NC General Statutes Chapter 47C, and City of Greensboro zoning requirements for Tourist Homes and Homestays.

What Our Governing Documents Say

Minimum Rental Term: 30 days

Wafco Mills’ governing documents require a minimum lease term of 30 days.
This appears in the Restriction on Leasing section of the Declaration and is consistent with:

• NCGS 47C-3-102(11) (association authority to regulate leasing)

• NCGS 47C-2-105 (limiting use restrictions adopted by the declaration)

• Standard condominium safety and insurance requirements

• Greensboro zoning rules classifying stays under 30 days as Tourist Home use

Translation:
If a booking is shorter than 30 days, it is not allowed, no matter what platform it is listed on (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, private Facebook groups, traveling nurse forums, or a friend-of-a-friend text thread).

What Types of Rentals Are Prohibited

1. Short Term Rentals (STRs under 30 days)

These are prohibited under the Wafco Mills Declaration.
They also violate Greensboro’s Tourist Home zoning rules for multifamily communities, which require owner occupancy and a special permit.

2. Homestays / Room Rentals under 30 days

Even if an owner occupies the unit, renting a room or portion of the unit for fewer than 30 days is not permitted because:

• The HOA renting restriction does not distinguish between whole-home and partial-home rentals

• Greensboro classifies homestays under the same Tourist Home category

• Insurance coverage for condominium communities is not written for transient occupancy

3. Corporate leases with rotating occupants under 30 days

A corporate housing contract that rotates travelers in and out every week still violates the Declaration because the occupants, not the contract, define the lease term.

4. Hosts attempting 29-day loopholes

If it walks like a short term rental and quacks like a short term rental, it is a short term rental. You cannot schedule back-to-back 29-day "leases" in an attempt to circumvent the rule. The Board is not required by law to pretend not to notice.

Why These Rules Exist

The rules are not arbitrary. They are rooted in:

• Master insurance requirements for multi-unit buildings

• Liability exposure under the NC Condominium Act

• City of Greensboro zoning regulations

• Noise, security, and safety concerns with transient occupancy

• Preserving residential stability for owners and long-term residents

• Fair and equal enforcement, as required by NCGS 47C-3-102 and the Board’s fiduciary duties

And of course, the Wafco Mills governing documents themselves, which owners agreed to when purchasing a unit.

What Happens When an STR is Discovered

The Board does not go looking for trouble, but trouble has a way of introducing itself.
When an unlawful STR is reported or discovered, the following steps occur:

1. Verification

The Board confirms the violation using any legal method available, including:

• Public listings

• Guest arrivals

• Entry logs or repeated short-term turnover patterns

• Noise reports or parking irregularities

• Direct admission by the owner or manager

2. Official Violation Notice

A written violation notice is issued to the owner pursuant to:

• Wafco Mills Bylaws

• Wafco Mills Rules and Regulations

• NCGS 47C-3-107.1 (due process for enforcement)

The notice outlines the violation, the required corrective action, and the timeline for compliance.

3. Fines Begin

If the STR continues or if no corrective action is taken, the HOA may impose fines under:

• NCGS 47C-3-102(12)

• The Wafco Mills enforcement policies

Typical steps include:

• Daily fines

• Revocation of privileges (parking, access control as permitted under law)

• Billing the owner for any STR-related damage, nuisance, or security costs

4. Legal Escalation if Needed

If an owner refuses to comply, the HOA may proceed with:

• Attorney demand letters

• Injunctive relief

• Collection actions

• Recovery of attorney fees (allowed under NC law and the Declaration)

5. Insurance Implications

Unlawful STR activity can jeopardize coverage for:

• The HOA master policy

• The owner’s HO-6 policy

• Liability protections

If an STR guest causes damage, the owner is personally liable for all losses, including deductibles and uncovered expenses.

This is one reason the Board must enforce the rule strictly and consistently.

ADA Considerations

While the Americans with Disabilities Act does not require Wafco Mills to permit STRs, we still enforce the 30-day rule equally for all owners.
Requests for disability-related accommodations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but the law does not require an HOA to allow transient occupancy as a "reasonable accommodation."

In Summary

Wafco Mills is a residential condominium community, not a hotel, boarding house, or nightly rental property.
Our governing documents and NC law require lawful, consistent enforcement of the 30-day minimum lease term.

If you are an owner who wants to lease your unit, the rules are simple:

• 30 days or more: allowed.

• Under 30 days: prohibited.

• Violations: fined and enforced.

If you need clarification or have a question about a situation you believe may fall into a gray area, please reach out to the Board before you let someone check in with a rolling suitcase at 11 PM on a Tuesday.