Short-term rental permit rules in Summerville, SC — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
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.
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.
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.
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See how Summerville's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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