Short-Term Rentals in Richland County, SC (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Richland County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Yes. Since April 2024, short-term rentals in unincorporated Richland County must obtain a Richland County business license and register the property before renting. STRs are only allowed in certain zoning districts under the Land Development Code effective March 2024.
Short-Term Rental Permit Rules in Unincorporated Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 16-82
The owner or responsible local representative offering a property or portion of a property as a short-term rental shall obtain a business license and comply with all business license and revenue collection laws of the Richland County and State of South Carolina.
Noise Rules
Richland County's STR ordinance does not set a separate decibel limit for rentals. Sec. 16-82 requires the property to comply with all county ordinances at all times, so the county noise ordinance applies to short-term rentals just as it does to any residence.
Short-Term Rental Noise Rules in Richland County
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 16-82
The owner or responsible local representative of a permitted short-term rental shall ensure the short-term rental property complies with all county ordinances at all times...
Taxes & Fees
Short-term rental hosts in unincorporated Richland County collect South Carolina's 7% state accommodations tax on gross rental proceeds under S.C. Code Section 12-36-920(A). A separate 5% tax applies to add-on guest charges. The state, not the county, sets and administers this tax through the Department of Revenue.
SC 7% Accommodations Tax on Richland County Rentals
Some RestrictionsS.C. Code Section 12-36-920(A)
(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 by any hotel, inn, tourist court, tourist camp, motel, campground, residence, or any place in which rooms, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations are furnished to transients for a consideration. Th...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Every short-term rental in unincorporated Richland County must provide and designate two parking spaces, with guests notified in writing of the parking plan and the maximum number of vehicles allowed. The rule sits inside the county's broader short-term rental licensing and safety article.
STR Parking Rules in Richland County, SC
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 16-82(j)
(j) Two (2) parking spaces per short-term rental property must be made available and designated. Guests must be notified of the parking plan and the maximum number of vehicles allowed. ... (i) At a minimum, the following shall be made available in written form to each short-term guest: ... (3) Instructions or a diagram of the designated parking spaces ... (b) The owner or responsible lo...
Occupancy Limits
Richland County caps overnight stays at a short-term rental at two people per bedroom, plus two more per unit, counting only between midnight and 7 a.m. Bookings must run at least one night and guests booking must be at least 18.
STR Occupancy Limits in Richland County, SC
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code § 16-82(k)
(k) The maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental shall not exceed two (2) persons, excluding minor children, per bedroom, as defined in the International Building Code, plus two (2) additional people per dwelling unit. ... Overnight occupancy. The occupancy of a premises between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. ... (g) The guest making the booking or reservation for a short-t...
Insurance Requirements
Richland County Code Sec. 16-82 does not spell out a specific liability-insurance minimum, but it authorizes county safety inspections and requires ongoing compliance with all county ordinances. The county gives 24 hours' notice before most inspections.
Insurance and Safety Requirements for Richland County STRs
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 16-82
A safety inspection to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article may be performed by the county or its designated third-party as deemed necessary by the county... providing the owner or responsible local representative with twenty-four (24) hours' notice unless a serious violation... exists and immediate remediation is necessary.
Host Presence Rule
Richland County does not require the host to be physically present during a stay, but Sec. 16-82 requires a responsible local representative who can take phone calls at all times and is authorized to accept service of process for the owner.
Does Richland County Require a Host On-Site?
Some RestrictionsRichland County Code Sec. 16-82
The property owner or responsible local representative must be willing to take phone calls at all times to address issues with the short-term rental, and the responsible local representative must be authorized to accept service of process on behalf of the owner.
Short-Term Rentals by City in Richland County
1 cities in Richland County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Richland County ordinances
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