Greenville County, SC Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Owner must reside
- Yes, in the structure
- Primary function
- Residence, not lodging
- Whole-home absentee STR
- Not a permitted B&B use
- Non-residential option
- Hotel/Motel districts only
- Rule source
- Zoning Sec. 6:2(4)(L)
Summary
For a Bed and Breakfast in a residential zoning district, the County Zoning Ordinance requires the property owner to reside in the structure and keep it functioning primarily as a residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are not a permitted residential lodging use under these conditions.
L. Owner of the property must reside in the structure. B. The appearance and primary function of the home shall remain as a residence, not as a lodging establishment.
Full Breakdown
Section 6:2(4) requires that the owner of the property reside in the structure and that the appearance and primary function of the home remain a residence, not a lodging establishment. This effectively makes owner-occupancy a condition of the residential lodging use closest to a short-term rental. Whole-home, non-owner-occupied vacation rentals in a residential district do not fit the B&B category and would require the property to sit in a district that permits a Hotel/Motel use. There is no exception for absentee STR operators in single-family residential zones.
Violations & Fines
Running a residential lodging use without living on-site breaches the B&B conditions, voiding the permitted-use status and exposing the operator to zoning enforcement and stop-use orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I live in the home I rent short-term?
Can I run a non-owner-occupied whole-home rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenville County
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