| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | SC State Sales Tax: 5% of gross rental receipts; SC State Accommodations Tax: 2% of gross rental receipts; Charleston County Accommodations Tax: appli |
| Minimum Stay | No citywide minimum stay requirement identified. IOP defines STR broadly; any rental for any length of time requires a business license. |
| Permit Fee | Annual STR business license required; fee is based on prior-year gross rental income (graduated scale per City fee schedule). Fire Safety Acknowledgme |
| Penalties | Operating without a valid business license is a code violation subject to fines and license denial. Specific penalty schedule available through Isle o |
| Occupancy Limit | Maximum overnight occupancy: two people per bedroom plus two additional people, up to a maximum of 12 occupants (excluding children under age 2). Occu |
Short-term rental operations in Isle of Palms, 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. The associated permit fees are Annual STR business license required; fee is based on prior-year gross rental income (graduated scal.
Short-term rental operators in Isle of Palms should be aware of these tax obligations: SC State Sales Tax: 5% of gross rental receipts; SC State Accommodations Tax: 2% of gross rental receipts; Charleston County Accommodations Tax: applicable county rate; City of Isle of Palms local accommodations tax: applicable local rate. Residentia.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Isle of Palms include: Occupancy limit: Maximum overnight occupancy: two people per bedroom plus two additional people, up to a maximum of 12 occupants (excludi. Minimum stay: No citywide minimum stay requirement identified. IOP defines STR broadly; any rental for any length of time requires a b.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Isle of Palms: All residential unit types (houses, condos, apartments, hotel rooms) may be licensed for STR use. No blanket prohibition on STRs in residential zones. A 2022 moratorium (Ordinance 2022-14) was a tempo. Density rules: No density cap currently in effect. A cap was considered and rejected, reinforcing Isle of Palms' commitment to preserving property rights. STR licens. Insurance: Yes.
Hosts who fail to comply with Isle of Palms's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating without a valid business license is a code violation subject to fines and license denial. Specific penalty schedule available through Isle of Palms Building, Planning, and Zoning Dept (843-8.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Isle of Palms: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit state sales and accommodations taxes for bookings made through their platforms. Property owners remain ultimately responsible for all local and county taxes not colle.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Isle of Palms with proper registration and permits. All property owners renting residential units for any length of time must obtain an Isle of Palms STR business license. The short-term rental ordinance specifies maximum overnight occupancy calculatio
Yes. Isle of Palms requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Isle of Palms are subject to the following tax obligations: SC State Sales Tax: 5% of gross rental receipts; SC State Accommodations Tax: 2% of gross rental receipts; Charleston County Accommodations Tax: applicable county rate; City of Isle of Palms local accommodations tax: applicable local rate. Residential rentals of 30 days or less (for Charleston Count.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Isle of Palms may face enforcement. Operating without a valid business license is a code violation subject to fines and license denial. Specific penalty schedule available through Isle of Palms Building, Planning, and Zoning Dept (843-886-9912)..
Isle of Palms is one of the more permissive STR markets in the Charleston metro area, with no density cap and no prohibition on non-owner-occupied STRs. The city actively tracks STR licenses (IOP STRL Records as of 06/30/2026 show ongoing active licensing). Fire Safety Acknowledgment Form is mandatory for both new and renewal applications. Parking regulations apply (up to 4 portable parking permit
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