Rent control rules in Charleston, SC — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
South Carolina Code Section 27-37A preempts municipalities from enacting rent control on private residential properties, leaving Charleston unable to cap rent increases regardless of local affordability pressures or tourism-driven displacement.
Under SC Code Section 27-37A, no political subdivision may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. The statute carves narrow exceptions for properties receiving direct government subsidy or operating under voluntary affordability covenants. As a result, Charleston cannot impose vacancy controls, percentage caps, or just-cause-eviction tied to rent increases. The city instead pursues affordability through inclusionary zoning incentives, the Affordable Housing Trust, and density bonuses rather than direct rent regulation.
Any local rent-control ordinance is void on adoption; the state Attorney General may sue to enjoin enforcement and recover state attorney's fees from the locality.
Charleston, SC
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See how Charleston's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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