Dorchester County, SC Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Dorchester County, SC, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Statewide permit
- None in SC
- County
- Business license (§ 8-19)
- Summerville
- Lodging permit + inspection
- Summerville zones
- D-MX, UC-MX, N-B, G-B
- Common limit
- HOA covenants
Summary
South Carolina sets no statewide STR permit. Unincorporated Dorchester County hosts need a county business license (Sec. 8-19); Summerville allows STRs only in four zoning districts and requires a lodging permit, business license, and inspection.
Every person engaged or intending to engage in any business, calling, occupation, profession, or activity engaged in with the object of gain, benefit, or advantage, in whole or in part within the limits of the County of Dorchester, South Carolina, is required to pay an annual license tax for the privilege of doing business and obtain a business license as herein provided.
Full Breakdown
South Carolina, a home-rule state, sets no statewide STR permit, so licensing falls to the county and towns. Operating a short-term rental in unincorporated Dorchester County means holding a county business license (Sec. 8-19 requires one of every person engaged in any business for gain within the county) and registering to remit accommodations taxes. Summerville is stricter: it allows STRs only in its D-MX, UC-MX, N-B, and G-B zoning districts and requires a Lodging Conditional Use permit or Special Exception, a business license, and a property inspection through its Citizenserve portal. Subdivision covenants across the Summerville suburbs often bar rentals under 30 days.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required county business license or Summerville lodging permit exposes the host to fines and an order to stop renting; towns can deny or revoke permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Dorchester County?
Where can I run an STR in Summerville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dorchester County
How Dorchester County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Dorchester County to another location·View the South Carolina short-term rentals overview
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