North Charleston's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In North Charleston, South Carolina, there are 6 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.

Occupancy Limits

North Charleston caps short-term rental occupancy at two persons per bedroom up to a maximum of eight persons (including children), with stays limited to twenty-nine consecutive days, under Section 4-21 of Appendix A (Zoning Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances.

Key details: Code: Sec. 4-21, App. A (Ord. 2023-022). Cap: 2/bedroom, 8 persons max. Max Stay: 29 consecutive days. Effective: Jan 1, 2023. District Cap: 60 STR permits/district.

Operating an STR over the bedroom-based occupancy cap, exceeding the eight-person ceiling, or failing to post the maximum occupancy is a violation enforceable by the Department of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability and may result in revocation or non-renewal of the STR Permit. More than three notices of violation in a one-year period also disqualifies an applicant from holding or renewing a permit.

Insurance Requirements

North Charleston's short-term rental ordinance (Section 4-21 of Appendix A) does not impose a specific liability-insurance minimum on STR operators, unlike the City of Charleston which requires $1,000,000 per occurrence; carriers and platforms still strongly recommend coverage.

Key details: Code: Sec. 4-21, App. A (Ord. 2023-022). Min Coverage: Not specified by city. Compare: Charleston: $1M/occurrence. Required: STR Permit + Business License. Initial Fee: $350.

Because Section 4-21 does not currently require a specific insurance minimum, there is no city penalty for operating without one, but operating without an STR Permit, business license, or required tax compliance is a code violation that can lead to permit denial, suspension, or revocation by the Department of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability.

North Charleston is more permissive than most cities when it comes to insurance requirements. That said, there are still limits.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in North Charleston must comply with the city's noise ordinances. Excessive noise from rental properties is subject to the same enforcement as any residential property.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM–7 AM. Responsibility: Operator and guests. Risk: Repeated complaints may affect license. Enforcement: North Charleston Police.

Guests may receive noise citations. Operators with repeated complaints risk loss of their business license.

Permit Requirements

North Charleston regulates short-term rentals and requires operators to obtain a business license. Properties used for short-term rental must comply with zoning, safety, and tax requirements.

Key details: License: City business license required. Taxes: Accommodations tax + state sales tax. Safety: Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers. Zoning: Must comply with district regulations.

Operating without a business license can result in fines and cease-and-desist orders. Failure to remit taxes results in additional penalties and interest.

Taxes & Fees

North Charleston requires STR operators to collect and remit a local accommodations tax on all short-term rentals. State sales tax also applies. Operators must maintain a city business license.

Key details: Local Tax: 2% city accommodations tax. State Tax: SC sales tax + state accommodations tax. Threshold: Stays under 90 days. Registration: SC Department of Revenue.

Failure to collect or remit taxes results in penalties, interest, and potential criminal charges for tax evasion.

This is one of the stricter rules in North Charleston's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Parking Rules

Short-term rental properties in North Charleston must provide adequate off-street parking for guests. On-street parking must comply with general city parking regulations.

Key details: Requirement: Off-street parking for guests. Lawn Parking: Prohibited. Fire Lanes: Must remain clear. Enforcement: Code Enforcement / Police.

Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. Persistent parking issues from an STR may lead to code enforcement action against the property.

The Bottom Line

North Charleston's short-term rentals 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 North Charleston is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects North Charleston's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.