North Charleston's short-term rental ordinance (Section 4-21 of Appendix A) does not impose a specific liability-insurance minimum on STR operators, unlike the City of Charleston which requires $1,000,000 per occurrence; carriers and platforms still strongly recommend coverage.
Section 4-21 of Appendix A (Zoning Regulations) of the City of North Charleston Code, adopted by Ord. 2023-022 and effective January 1, 2023, lists STR application conditions covering occupancy posting, parking, a 24-hour local contact, HOA approval, tax compliance, violation history, and event restrictions, but does not set a numeric minimum for liability insurance the way the neighboring City of Charleston ordinance does (which mandates a $1,000,000 per-occurrence general liability policy). North Charleston's published STR Permit application materials likewise do not list a specific insurance dollar threshold as a condition of permit issuance. Operators should still note that a standard homeowners policy typically excludes commercial short-term rental activity, and most platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) provide host-protection coverage that may not be a substitute for a dedicated short-term rental or commercial general liability policy. Owners with a mortgage or HOA may face contractual insurance requirements separate from city law, and the Charleston County Accommodations Tax and state sales/accommodations tax obligations apply regardless of insurance.
Because Section 4-21 does not currently require a specific insurance minimum, there is no city penalty for operating without one, but operating without an STR Permit, business license, or required tax compliance is a code violation that can lead to permit denial, suspension, or revocation by the Department of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability.
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