Rental Property Rules in Charleston, SC (2026)
2 verified rental property rules for Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Charleston's Rental Registration Pilot Program
Significant RestrictionsCharleston City Code §§ 7-128, 7-132(a)
(a)No landlord shall operate any residential rental unit within a residential rental registration district unless that landlord has registered the residential rental unit with the city.(b)Each individual residential rental unit requires its own registration. Registrations are not transferable.(c)The registration shall be valid for twelve (12) months following the date of registration ... (d)Reg...
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.
Charleston's Minimum Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 7-91
(a)A dwelling shall be determined to be unfit for human occupancy whenever it is found that such dwelling is an unsafe dwelling, or unlawful, or ... is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by the International Residential Building Code....(b)At a minimum all ...
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Charleston County →