BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Tourism is one of the biggest economic drivers in western North Carolina, and it took a hard hit during and after Helene. Families were not only left scrambling after their homes were destroyed in the storm, but the region’s short-term rental industry was also significantly impacted.
Short-term rentals began to populate the region nearly a decade ago, raising concerns that these vacation properties were reducing affordable housing for the community.
In 2018, Asheville’s City Council voted to ban all new vacation rentals in most areas of the city after several years of municipal discussions and public hearings…