Short-Term Rentals in Beaufort County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Beaufort County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Every short-term rental in unincorporated Beaufort County needs both a Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit and a business license before it can be advertised or rented, and the permit must be renewed every year by April 1 under Community Development Code Section 4.1.360.
Beaufort County Short-Term Rental Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.1.360(A)(3), (B)(1)
3.Registration. All STRPs require a Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit and Business License. Upon adoption of this Ordinance, STRPs will have 60 calendar days to submit applications to comply with the provisions of this Article and until April 1, 2020 to obtain all required Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permits for the STRP use.B.Operating Standards and Requirements.1.Permits and Rene...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Short-term rental tenants in unincorporated Beaufort County must park under the county's general off-street parking table, Division 5.5, which Section 4.1.360(C)(1)(b) applies directly to STRPs; for the single-family detached houses that make up most rentals, that table requires 3.0 parking spaces per unit.
Beaufort County STR Parking Standard
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code §§ 4.1.360(C)(1)(b), 5.5.40, Table 5.5.40.B
b.Parking for Short-Term Rental Tenants shall be in compliance with Division 5.5 of the County Community Development Code. ... Dwelling: Single-Family: Detached 3.0 per unit ... Dwelling: Accessory/Secondary Unit 1.0 per unit
Occupancy Limits
On unincorporated Daufuskie Island, Beaufort County caps short-term rental occupancy at two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, with anyone 12 or older counted as an adult. The limit exists because most Daufuskie STRs run on well and septic systems that cannot handle unlimited crowding.
Daufuskie Island STR Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code, Appendix B § B.3.30(A)(3)(a)(4)
4)Due to Short-Term rentals on Daufuskie Island prominently being served by Well and Septic systems, maximum occupancy shall be considered. The maximum occupancy is two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults. Persons aged 12 years and older are to be considered adults. All persons aged less than 12 years old do not count against the maximum occupancy.
Repeat Violator Strikes
Beaufort County's Community Development Department Director can administratively revoke a Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit once a rental has violated the STR ordinance three or more times within any 12-month period. Immediate revocation applies for Building Code violations, an unlicensed business, off-permit use, or advertising without the county permit number. Owners face a one-year reapplication bar.
Beaufort County STR Permit Revoked After 3 Strikes
Significant RestrictionsBeaufort County Community Development Code § 4.1.360.E.1
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Ordinance, a STRP Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit may be administratively revoked by the Community Development Department Director or his designee if the STRP has violated the provisions of this Article on three or more occasions within a 12-month period. Provided however, a STRP Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit may be immediately revoked ...
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