Short-Term Rentals in Simpsonville, SC (2026)

10 verified short-term rentals rules for Simpsonville, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Permit Requirements

Yes. Simpsonville requires a city permit before operating any short-term rental. Ordinance O-2025-08 (Chapter 10, Article VI, adopted October 2025) makes it unlawful to run an STR without a currently valid permit, issued only to licensed businesses.

Simpsonville Short-Term Rental Permit Requirement

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-294 (Ord. O-2025-08)

It shall be unlawful for any person to create, establish, operate or otherwise be engaged in the business of running a short-term rental, in the city, unless he shall hold a currently valid permit issued under the terms of this article.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Yes. STR owners must give each guest a written copy of Simpsonville's noise ordinance, and the tenant agreement must acknowledge receipt. The STR agent is required to respond to city notices about unreasonable noise or disturbances.

Simpsonville STR Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-295(a)(10)(b) (Ord. O-2025-08)

Owner(s)' acknowledgement that the occupant(s) has been provided a written copy of the City of Simpsonville's noise ordinance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

STR owners owe local, county, and state taxes, including accommodations taxes. South Carolina imposes a 7% state accommodations tax on transient rentals (SC Code 12-36-920). Simpsonville charges no application fee unless you were caught operating without approval, then a $250 fee applies.

Simpsonville STR Taxes and Permit Fees

Some Restrictions

SC Code Ann. 12-36-920(A)

A sales tax equal to seven percent is imposed on the gross proceeds derived from the rental or charges for any rooms, campground spaces, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations furnished to transients...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Yes. The STR ordinance requires the owner-guest agreement to acknowledge that parking will be maintained per the city's provisions while the property is used as a short-term rental. Parking must be kept in compliance for the duration of each stay.

Simpsonville STR Parking Rules

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-295(a)(10)(c) (Ord. O-2025-08)

The owner(s)' and occupant(s)' acknowledgement and agreement that parking shall be maintained pursuant to the provisions herein while the property is being used as a short-term rental.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Yes. Simpsonville's STR ordinance caps occupancy at no more than two adults per bedroom. The tenant agreement each guest signs must acknowledge this limit, and an "adult" is defined as anyone at least 21 years old.

Simpsonville STR Occupancy Limit

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-295(a)(10)(d) (Ord. O-2025-08)

In addition to these regulations, there shall not be more than two (2) adults per bedroom.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Yes. Simpsonville requires proof of property and liability insurance, including any prerequisite short-term rental rider, when you apply for an STR permit. Letting insurance lapse is grounds for automatic permit revocation.

Simpsonville STR Insurance Requirement

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-295(a)(6) (Ord. O-2025-08)

Proof of property and liability insurance, including any prerequisite short-term rental rider, along with an acknowledgement that property owners are responsible for their own safety and insurance needs, as well as the safety and sanitation of their tenants.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

No. Simpsonville's STR ordinance (O-2025-08) sets no annual or per-year cap on how many nights a property may be rented. It defines a short-term rental as a stay of less than 30 days but does not limit the total number of booked nights.

Does Simpsonville Cap STR Rental Nights?

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

STR owners apply to the city with owner and agent contact info, proof of ownership, an insurance certificate, a signed acknowledgment of the STR rules, and a tenant agreement. Once issued, the permit and business license must be renewed annually.

Registering a Short-Term Rental in Simpsonville

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-296(b) (Ord. O-2025-08)

The short-term rental permit and business license shall be renewed annually subject to the deadline for business license renewals.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Simpsonville draws a sharp line: "hosted" rentals where the owner stays on-site during the guest's stay are permitted only as a bed-and-breakfast inn where zoning allows. The standard STR permit is for "unhosted" rentals where the owner vacates.

Simpsonville Hosted vs. Unhosted STR Rules

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-291 (Ord. O-2025-08)

"Hosted" short-term rentals where the homeowner resides at the property during the rental period shall only be permissible as a bed and breakfast inn, where permitted, and shall be subject to the standards in Section 3.2.1, Bed and Breakfast Inn, of the Simpsonville Zoning Ordinance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

No. Simpsonville does not require an STR to be the owner's primary residence. The ordinance is written for "unhosted" rentals where the owner vacates the property, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are the norm, subject to permitting.

Does Simpsonville Require STRs to Be Your Primary Residence?

Some Restrictions

Simpsonville Code Sec. 10-291 (Ord. O-2025-08)

These standards shall apply to "unhosted" short-term rentals where the homeowner vacates the property during the rental period.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Greenville County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Simpsonville city rules.

Short-Term Rentals in Greenville County →