| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — STR business license required under Chapter 117, Short Term Rentals, Folly Beach Code of Ordinances. |
| Tax Rate | Combined state and local transient lodging taxes apply (approx. 12-14%). |
| Night / Day Cap | No nightly cap, but must be rented a minimum of 28 nights per year to maintain license validity. |
| Minimum Stay | None (short-term defined as stays under 28 consecutive days). |
| Permit Fee | Annual business license fees apply; rate depends on rental revenue. |
| Primary Residence Required | No (but investor/non-owner occupied licenses are capped). |
| Occupancy Limit | Governed by local zoning and safety regulations. |
Short-term rental operations in Folly Beach, South Carolina are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — STR business license required under Chapter 117, Short Term Rentals, Folly Beach Code of Ordinances.. The associated permit fees are Annual business license fees apply; rate depends on rental revenue..
Short-term rental operators in Folly Beach should be aware of these tax obligations: Combined state and local transient lodging taxes apply (approx. 12-14%).. Yes — must register for state sales tax and local hospitality/lodging taxes..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Folly Beach include: Primary residence requirement: No (but investor/non-owner occupied licenses are capped).. Rental day cap: No nightly cap, but must be rented a minimum of 28 nights per year to maintain license validity.. Occupancy limit: Governed by local zoning and safety regulations.. Minimum stay: None (short-term defined as stays under 28 consecutive days)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Folly Beach: Strict cap of 800 investor short-term rental (ISTR) licenses. Once capped, new licenses are unavailable except through select hardship exceptions. Licenses are non-transferable and do not convey with . Density rules: 800-license cap (voter-approved 2023 referendum); approximately 200 properties on the waitlist for new licenses as of early 2026.. Insurance: Yes — proof of adequate liability insurance is required..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Folly Beach: None formally active; operators must list their valid license details on all listing platforms..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Folly Beach with proper registration and permits. Folly Beach has an existing voter-approved cap on short-term rentals that remains in effect. The city is now conducting a comprehensive study examining whether the cap is working as intended, with ana
Yes. Folly Beach requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — STR business license required under Chapter 117, Short Term Rentals, Folly Beach Code of Ordinances..
Short-term rental hosts in Folly Beach are subject to the following tax obligations: Combined state and local transient lodging taxes apply (approx. 12-14%)..
1) Folly Beach's voter-approved STR cap remains in effect during the review. 2) City is commissioning a comprehensive study to evaluate the cap's effectiveness on housing values and rental prices. 3) Ordinance changes are possible but not yet proposed or adopted. 4) Hosts must continue to comply with existing cap and permit rules.
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