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 3 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's short-term rental definition doubles as its occupancy cap: Section 4-21(a) defines an STR as housing no more than two guests per bedroom, up to eight people including children, and Section 4-21(b)(1) makes that same limit an enforceable condition that must be posted inside the unit and stated in every advertisement.

Key details: Occupancy cap: 2 guests per bedroom, 8 max including children. Posting requirement: Cap must be posted in unit and in ads. Max stay: 29 consecutive days per rental. Linked parking rule: 1 space per 2 bedrooms rented. Enforcement trigger: Counts toward 3-notice permit revocation rule.

Renting to more guests than the posted two-per-bedroom, eight-person maximum, or failing to post and advertise that cap, violates Section 4-21(b)(1) and is enforced as a zoning violation under Section 7-5: a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of the overage a separate offense. It also counts toward the three-notice threshold in (b)(8) that can void the STR permit outright on a fourth violation within a year.

Taxes & Fees

Running a short-term rental in North Charleston costs more than the state's accommodations tax: Section 4-21(i) sets a $350 initial STR permit fee and a $250 annual renewal fee, on top of the business license fees and accommodations taxes that Section 4-21(b)(10) requires every operator to keep current.

Key details: Initial permit fee: $350.00 per STR unit. Renewal permit fee: $250.00 per STR unit, annually. Renewal deadline: By February 28 each year. Additional obligations: Business license fees plus accommodations taxes. Per-unit fees: Separate license/fee for each STR unit.

Operating an STR without paying the $350 initial fee or $250 renewal fee, or without keeping accommodations taxes and business license fees current as required by Section 4-21(b)(10), is a violation of the conditional-use permit and is enforced as a zoning violation under Section 7-5, carrying a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.

Short-Term Rental Permits

A short-term rental in North Charleston needs more than a listing: Appendix A Section 4-21(b)(7) requires the property owner to hold both an STR permit and an active business license before renting the unit, and that permit can be voided outright if the property racks up repeated code violations.

Key details: Permit required: STR permit plus active business license. Renewal deadline: Annually by February 28. Violation trigger: 4th notice in 1 year voids permit. Exempt properties: 10+ unit buildings, licensed hotels/motels. Amortization date: No grandfathering before January 1, 2023.

Operating without a valid STR permit and business license is a violation of Section 4-21(b)(7), enforced as a zoning violation under Section 7-5: a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued operation a separate offense. Accumulating a fourth zoning, noise or refuse notice of violation in one year automatically voids the STR permit and business license under Section 4-21(b)(8), and that determination can be reviewed by the board of zoning appeals.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. North Charleston actively enforces its short-term rental permits requirements.

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.