Charleston's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Charleston, South Carolina, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rental Registration

Charleston requires landlords to register each rental unit located in a designated residential rental registration district before operating it, under City Code Section 7-128. The pilot program currently covers the Cannonborough/Elliott, Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhoods, not the whole city, with registrations valid for 12 months.

Key details: Governing sections: City Code Sections 7-125 to 7-134. Covered neighborhoods: Cannonborough/Elliott, Radcliffeborough, Mazyck-Wraggborough. Registration term: 12 months per unit. Late renewal penalty: 5% of unpaid fee per month. Unregistered operation penalty: Misdemeanor, fine and/or incarceration.

Operating an unregistered rental unit inside a registration district is a misdemeanor punishable by fine and incarceration under Section 7-132(a), with each day of continued operation a separate offense enforced by municipal summons. A landlord convicted three or more times in five years for operating unregistered can face business license revocation under Section 17-30, and five or more convictions for any Code violation on registered units can trigger the same revocation process.

Compared to other cities, Charleston takes a harder line on rental registration. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Repairs & Habitability

Charleston requires every rental dwelling to have a code-compliant exit, an approved water and sewer connection, electricity, heat from October 1 through May 1, and a lock on every exterior door under City Code Section 7-91. Rentals must also supply at least 68 degrees of indoor heat under the adopted property maintenance code.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Section 7-91. Minimum indoor heat: 68°F habitable rooms, Section 602.3. Heat season required: October 1 to May 1. Water/sewer source: DHEC-approved or on-site metered connection. Enforcement officer: Public safety and housing officer.

Failing to meet these minimum standards can trigger a Section 7-92 unfitness complaint, hearing and repair-or-vacate order under Section 7-94; owners who ignore that order face the public safety and housing officer repairing, vacating or demolishing the dwelling at the owner's cost under Sections 7-95 through 7-97, with the expense recorded as a lien against the property.

The Bottom Line

Charleston's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Charleston is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Charleston's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.