Rentals of thirty consecutive days or longer fall outside Charleston's short-term-rental program and instead follow standard South Carolina landlord-tenant law, freeing owners from STR caps while still owing applicable city taxes.
Charleston defines a short-term rental as a stay under thirty consecutive days. Stays of thirty days or more are residential tenancies governed by the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (SC Code Title 27, Ch. 40) and not subject to the STR ordinance, accommodations tax, or Cat 1-4 permit categories. Hosts marketing month-plus stays must use written leases meeting URLTA disclosure standards, collect security deposits per state rules, and provide habitable conditions. Mid-stay shortenings to under thirty days reclassify the booking as a short-term rental retroactively, exposing hosts to permit and tax obligations.
Mislabeling short stays as long-term to evade STR rules triggers retroactive accommodations tax, $1,087 per-night fines, and possible criminal misdemeanor charges for tax evasion.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not regulate residential lawn ornaments such as statues, garden gnomes, flamingos, religious displays, or holiday figures on private property...
Charleston, SC
Charleston's sign provisions in the Zoning Ordinance (Title 54) prohibit commercial inflatable advertising devices, balloons, and similar wind-driven attenti...
Charleston, SC
Charleston does not impose general municipal time limits on residential holiday lights, and the Zoning Ordinance sign provisions exempt non-commercial reside...
Charleston, SC
Outdoor kitchens with permanent gas lines, water/sewer connections, electrical wiring, or roofed structures require permits in Charleston. A covered or walle...
Charleston, SC
Charcoal, wood, and pellet smokers are treated as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 IFC adopted by South Carolina. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits thei...
Charleston, SC
Charleston follows the 2021 International Fire Code as adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking...
See how Charleston's extended home share rules stack up against other locations.
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