Short-term rental permit rules in Charleston County, SC — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Every short-term rental in unincorporated Charleston County needs a Zoning Permit plus a Business License before advertising or renting. ZLDR Article 6.8 (adopted July 24, 2018) sets three permit types: Limited Home Rental, Extended Home Rental, and Commercial Guest House.
A short-term rental is a dwelling (or part) rented to non-family tenants for 29 days or less. Article 6.8 requires a Zoning Permit and a Business License for all three types. A Limited Home Rental (owner-occupied, most residential districts) gets an administrative counter review and $100 zoning fee. An Extended Home Rental additionally needs Site Plan Approval and a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals ($200). A Commercial Guest House needs Site Plan Review ($300). Advertisements must display the Zoning Permit and Business License numbers. Inside the cities (Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms) the municipality's own rules apply instead.
Operating without a Zoning Permit violates Article 6.8; the County pursues zoning enforcement and penalties, and Council has moved to add fines for unpermitted operators.
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