Charleston County, SC Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Governing code
- ZLDR Article 6.8
- Adopted
- July 24, 2018
- Required approvals
- Zoning Permit + Business License
- Permit types
- Limited, Extended, Commercial
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
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.
All Short-Term Rental Properties require a Zoning Permit and Business License. The full regulations for Short-Term Rental Properties can be found in Chapter 6, Article 6.8 of the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR).
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit if I rent only a room?
Does the county permit cover a home inside a city?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston County
How Charleston County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Charleston County to another location·View the South Carolina short-term rentals overview
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