Category 1 short-term rentals in Charleston's residential zones require the owner to use the property as a primary residence and remain physically present during guest stays, with strict documentation reviewed annually.
Charleston's STR ordinance defines four categories. Category 1 (residential zones, including the Old and Historic District outside commercial overlays) explicitly requires the operator to be the homeowner, occupy the dwelling as a primary residence, and be onsite while guests are present. Applicants prove primary residency using SC driver's license, voter registration, vehicle registration, and prior-year tax returns showing the homestead exemption. Category 1 permits are non-transferable; sale of the home extinguishes the permit, and renting while the owner is traveling abroad violates the host-presence requirement.
Investigators issue citations up to $1,087 per night for absent-host operation, plus permit revocation and one-year ban on re-application at the address.
Charleston, SC
Charleston restricts residential-zone short-term rentals to owner-occupied primary residences claiming the four-percent legal residence assessment ratio, blo...
Charleston, SC
Charleston requires a Short-Term Rental Permit under the Accommodations Ordinance (Chapter 29, Article X). All STR operators must register, obtain a business...
See how Charleston's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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