| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| 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 | Not specified for proposed changes |
| 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 | 8 people (proposed) |
Short-term rental regulations in Charleston, South Carolina are currently under development or pending approval 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: 8 people (proposed). 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. Not specified for proposed changes.
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 ↗Short-term rental regulations in Charleston are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Charleston is considering modifications to its short-term rental ordinance, including a proposed 8-person occupancy limit. Changes are framed as clarifications to existing rules rather than major new
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. Not specified for proposed changes.
['Proposed 8-person maximum occupancy per rental', 'Changes described as clarifications to existing rules', 'City leaders emphasizing minor tweaks, not overhaul']
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