Greenville County, SC Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max B&B guest rooms
- Four (4)
- In-room cooking
- Prohibited
- Primary function
- Must remain a residence
- Generic STR headcount cap
- None (building code applies)
- Code/fire compliance
- Required (DHEC, fire, building)
Summary
For the residential lodging use closest to a short-term rental, the County Zoning Ordinance limits a Bed and Breakfast to a maximum of four guest rooms and bars in-room cooking facilities. The county sets no separate headcount cap on other short-term rentals, so guest numbers otherwise follow building-code occupancy.
A. Accommodations are limited to a maximum of four (4) guest rooms. B. The appearance and primary function of the home shall remain as a residence, not as a lodging establishment. C. Cooking facilities are not permitted in any of the Bed and Breakfast guest rooms.
Full Breakdown
Section 6:2(4) of the Zoning Ordinance governs Bed and Breakfast homestays in residential districts: accommodations are limited to a maximum of four guest rooms, cooking facilities are prohibited in any guest room, and the home's appearance and primary function must remain a residence rather than a lodging establishment. There is no county ordinance imposing a per-guest occupancy cap on generic short-term rentals; practical limits come from state building and fire codes and DHEC requirements the county incorporates by reference. Commercial Hotel/Motel operations are governed by their commercial-district standards, not this residential room cap.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding four guest rooms or adding room kitchens converts the use beyond a permitted B&B, triggering zoning enforcement and possible loss of Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rooms can I rent as a B&B?
Is there a maximum number of overnight guests?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenville County
Compare Greenville County to another location·View the South Carolina short-term rentals overview
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