Charleston, SC Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

The program lives in Chapter 7, Division 4 of the Charleston City Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 2022-159 and expanded by Ordinance No. 2023-279. It currently applies only inside city council-designated rental registration districts, first Cannonborough/Elliottborough, then expanded to Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough; it is not a citywide requirement, and council can add or drop districts on 60 days' written notice to affected owners under Section 7-127. Section 7-128 requires a separate, non-transferable registration for each rental unit, valid for twelve months (the annual cycle runs May 1 to April 30 once a business license is required).

Renewals filed more than 60 days late draw a penalty of 5 percent of the unpaid fee per month. Landlords must be able to answer tenant and emergency calls within a reasonable time and must post the landlord's or local representative's name, address and phone number inside the unit. Under Section 7-130, registration requires the landlord to attest the unit is safe, sanitary and fit for occupancy and to designate a responsible local representative if the landlord lives more than 30 miles from Charleston. The director of livability and tourism administers the registration database under Section 7-131. Short-term rentals defined at Section 54-120, owner-occupied homes under contract of sale, government-owned housing and college-owned student housing are exempt from the registration duty.