Charleston allows long-term rental of an ADU but imposes one of the most restrictive short-term rental regimes in the country under the 2018 Short-Term Rental Permit Program. STRs are limited to specific zoning categories, require owner-occupancy of the primary residence, cap the rentable area at no more than 50% of the home's bedrooms, and require a city STR permit, business license, and remittance of state and local accommodations taxes. Long-term rental (30+ days) is generally permitted under standard SC landlord-tenant law.
The Charleston Zoning Ordinance (Title 54) and the Short-Term Rental Permit Program, adopted in 2018, regulate transient rental of dwelling units including ADUs. STR is generally defined as lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The program restricts STRs to designated zoning categories: a Commercial Short-Term Rental category in specific commercial zones, the Cannonborough-Elliotborough Overlay (with neighborhood-specific limits), and a Residential STR category limited to historic/residential zones such as the Old & Historic District subject to additional conditions. Operators must hold a current STR permit, a city business license, and remit the SC state sales tax, state accommodations tax, and Charleston local accommodations tax. The home must be the operator's primary residence and the rented portion is capped at no more than 50% of the home's bedrooms. Whole-house rentals are generally prohibited in residential STR categories. Long-term rental of an ADU (30+ days) is allowed in permitted zones and governed by the SC Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, SC Code §27-40. The ADU remains part of one legal parcel and cannot be conveyed separately from the primary residence.
Operating an unpermitted short-term rental is a Title 54 violation; Charleston Livability Court issues civil penalties that escalate per occurrence. The city may revoke STR permits, suspend business licenses, and pursue injunctive relief. Failure to remit state and local accommodations taxes is referred to the SC Department of Revenue. Confirm current penalties with the Charleston Permit Center.
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See how Charleston's adu rental restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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