| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — STR operational permit from Dept. of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability plus a city business license; fire safety inspection required be |
| Tax Rate | Among the highest in the nation; includes 6% SC state sales tax plus city and county accommodations taxes (exact combined total not fully sourced). |
| Night / Day Cap | Unknown (no explicit annual night cap; limited by owner-occupancy requirement). STR defined as stays of 1–29 consecutive days. |
| Minimum Stay | STR defined as any rental under 30 days (1–29 consecutive days). |
| Permit Fee | STR application fee $350; renewal $250. Business license renewed annually (by April 30); operational permit renewed annually on the issuance anniversa |
| Penalties | Fines up to $500 per zoning/noise/refuse violation; a 4th Notice of Violation voids permitting/licensing (North Charleston). One tracker cites City of |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes for residential STRs — property must be owner's primary residence (verified via the 4% Legal Residence tax exemption); a full-time resident must s |
| Occupancy Limit | Maximum 4 adults per STR unit regardless of size/number of bedrooms. |
Short-term rentals in Charleston, South Carolina are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — STR operational permit from Dept. of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability plus a city business license; fire safety inspection required before issuance.. The associated permit fees are STR application fee $350; renewal $250. Business license renewed annually (by April 30); operational.
Short-term rental operators in Charleston should be aware of these tax obligations: Among the highest in the nation; includes 6% SC state sales tax plus city and county accommodations taxes (exact combined total not fully sourced).. Yes — South Carolina sales tax license and accommodations tax registration (city and county)..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Charleston include: Primary residence requirement: Yes for residential STRs — property must be owner's primary residence (verified via the 4% Legal Residence tax exemption. Rental day cap: Unknown (no explicit annual night cap; limited by owner-occupancy requirement). STR defined as stays of 1–29 consecutive. Occupancy limit: Maximum 4 adults per STR unit regardless of size/number of bedrooms.. Minimum stay: STR defined as any rental under 30 days (1–29 consecutive days)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Charleston: Three residential categories tied to location (Old & Historic District, other downtown, and outlying areas like West Ashley/James/Johns/Daniel Islands), all owner-occupied; one Commercial category in . Density rules: Only one STR unit per residential property; one-year holding period for units previously occupied by a long-term tenant; permits non-transferable (new. Insurance: Yes — liability insurance reported with a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage (per industry tracker)..
Hosts who fail to comply with Charleston's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines up to $500 per zoning/noise/refuse violation; a 4th Notice of Violation voids permitting/licensing (North Charleston). One tracker cites City of Charleston fines up to $1,087/day for unlicensed .
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Charleston: STR permit number must be listed on all advertisements/booking platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, FlipKey, etc.); city actively monitors platforms for unpermitted listings..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Charleston but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Multi-step process: application + documentation (floor plan, site plan, parking, photos) → 15-day public notice posting + 5-day appeal window → fire safety inspection → business license → permit. At l
Yes. Charleston requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — STR operational permit from Dept. of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability plus a city business license; fire safety inspection required before issuance..
Short-term rental hosts in Charleston are subject to the following tax obligations: Among the highest in the nation; includes 6% SC state sales tax plus city and county accommodations taxes (exact combined total not fully sourced)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Charleston may face enforcement. Fines up to $500 per zoning/noise/refuse violation; a 4th Notice of Violation voids permitting/licensing (North Charleston). One tracker cites City of Charleston fines up to $1,087/day for unlicensed operation; repeat violations risk permit revocatio.
Whole-house STRs are effectively banned in the City of Charleston; only owner-occupied portions/accessory units (or commercial-zone properties) qualify. Three full-time enforcement officers cited.
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