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Short-Term Rentals in York County, SC (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in York County, South Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of York County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

York County requires a valid zoning permit before anyone can start or maintain a short-term rental in the unincorporated county, under § 155.552(A). Owners must file a zoning compliance application with the Planning and Development Services Department, provide contact information for themselves or a property manager, and pay the filing fee set by County Council before renting out a dwelling short-term.

York County Short-Term Rental Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 155.552(A)-(B)(1)

(A) Permit required. Short-term rental use may not be initiated, established, or maintained without a valid permit, which shall be issued upon the completion of an application and the payment of the required filing fee. (B) Application. (1) The owner of a dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit who desires to initiate short-term rental use shall file a completed zoning compliance application w...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

York County has no STR-specific noise rule; guests follow the county noise ordinance (§56.016), including the 60-decibel residential lot-line cap and the 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. limit on shouting and singing.

York County STR Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

York County Code §56.016

It shall be unlawful for any person to make or continue, or cause to be made or continued, any unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise, or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the unincorporated limits of York County.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

South Carolina imposes a 7% accommodations tax on every short-term rental night in unincorporated York County under S.C. Code § 12-36-920: a 5% general sales tax component plus a 2% local accommodations tax, both collected through the same state sales tax return filed with the Department of Revenue.

York County STR Occupancy Tax & Fees

Some Restrictions

S.C. 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 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...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

York County limits short-term rentals in the unincorporated county to eight overnight guests and 20 daytime guests under Zoning Ordinance § 155.551(C). The cap applies to every dwelling or accessory dwelling unit operating as a permitted short-term rental, regardless of the number of bedrooms or the size of the lot.

York County STR Guest Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 155.551(C)

(C) Restrictions on number of guests. A short-term rental shall not be occupied during the day by more than 20 guests or overnight by more than eight guests.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

York County caps short-term rentals in the unincorporated county at 120 days of overnight occupancy per calendar year under Zoning Ordinance § 155.551(B). The limit applies to any dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit approved for short-term rental use as a conditional or special exception use, and it resets each calendar year regardless of when the owner's permit was issued.

York County STR Annual 120-Day Cap

Some Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 155.551(B)

(B) Annual limit for rentals. A dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit shall not be rented for overnight accommodations for more than 120 days per calendar year.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

York County only permits short-term rentals in a dwelling that serves as the owner's primary residence, under § 155.552(B)(2). Applicants must submit written documentation from the York County Assessor's office proving primary-residence status as part of the permit application, which effectively bars non-owner-occupied investment properties from short-term rental use in the unincorporated county.

York County STR Primary Residence Requirement

Significant Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 155.552(B)(2)

(2) The application shall include written documentation from the York County Assessor's office that the dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit serves as the lot owner's primary residence.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Extended Home Share

York County treats short-term rental stays of 30 days or more as long-term occupancy, not short-term rental use, under Zoning Ordinance § 155.551(D). A homeowner who rents for a continuous period of 30 days or longer is exempt from the county's short-term rental permit, night-cap, and guest-limit rules, though the property must still meet other applicable zoning requirements.

York County 30+ Day Rentals Exempt from STR Rules

Few Restrictions

York County, S.C. Code § 155.551(D)

(D) Maximum duration of stay. (1) A short-term rental may provide only short-term lodging, which will be considered overnight occupancy for a continuous period of less than 30 days. (2) Rentals with a duration of 30 days or more are considered long-term and are not subject to the regulations of this subpart but are required to comply with any other applicable regulations of this chapter.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in York County

1 cities in York County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Rock HillPop. 75,048

5 verified rules • Host Presence Rule, Noise Rules

All York County ordinances

See every category we cover for York County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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