Charleston restricts residential-zone short-term rentals to owner-occupied primary residences claiming the four-percent legal residence assessment ratio, blocking investor-owned vacation homes from operating outside designated commercial categories.
The Old and Historic District and other residential zones permit only Category 1 STRs, which by ordinance must be the owner's primary residence. South Carolina's four-percent legal residence assessment ratio (versus six-percent for non-owner-occupied) is the operational test: applicants must show the Charleston County Assessor has classified the property as legal residence. Investor LLCs, second homes, and family trusts that do not qualify for the four-percent ratio cannot obtain Cat 1 permits. The rule was a centerpiece of Ord. 2018-141, deliberately designed to preserve neighborhood character and resident housing stock.
Operating a non-primary residence as a Cat 1 STR results in permit denial or revocation, civil fines up to $1,087 per night, and referral to the SC Department of Revenue.
Charleston, SC
Category 1 short-term rentals in Charleston's residential zones require the owner to use the property as a primary residence and remain physically present du...
Charleston, SC
Charleston requires a Short-Term Rental Permit under the Accommodations Ordinance (Chapter 29, Article X). All STR operators must register, obtain a business...
See how Charleston's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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