Richland County, SC Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Insurance minimum in code
- None specified in Sec. 16-82
- Safety inspection
- County or third-party, as needed
- Inspection notice
- 24 hours (normal cases)
- Emergency exception
- Immediate for serious violations
- Recommended
- STR/commercial liability coverage
Summary
Richland County Code Sec. 16-82 does not spell out a specific liability-insurance minimum, but it authorizes county safety inspections and requires ongoing compliance with all county ordinances. The county gives 24 hours' notice before most inspections.
A safety inspection to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article may be performed by the county or its designated third-party as deemed necessary by the county... providing the owner or responsible local representative with twenty-four (24) hours' notice unless a serious violation... exists and immediate remediation is necessary.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
The Sec. 16-82 STR ordinance focuses on safety through inspection rather than a stated insurance dollar amount. A safety inspection to ensure compliance may be performed by the county or its designated third party as deemed necessary, with 24 hours' notice to the owner or responsible local representative, unless a serious violation of county, state or federal law exists and immediate remediation is necessary. Hosts should still carry short-term-rental or commercial liability coverage, since standard homeowner policies often exclude commercial rental activity, but the county code text reviewed here does not set a specific insurance minimum. Verify current insurance requirements with Richland County before listing.
Violations & Fines
Refusing a lawful safety inspection or failing to remedy identified safety violations breaches Sec. 16-82 and can lead to county enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Richland County require short-term rental insurance?
Can the county inspect my rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
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