Beaufort County, SC Short-Term Rentals: Repeat Violator Strikes (2026)
Key Facts
- Revocation trigger
- 3+ violations in 12 months
- Immediate revocation grounds
- Building Code violation or no license
- Appeal body
- Board of Zoning Appeals
- Appeal deadline
- 30 calendar days
- Reapplication bar
- 1 year after revocation
- Early waiver fee
- $500 to unaffiliated new owner
Summary
Beaufort County's Community Development Department Director can administratively revoke a Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit once a rental has violated the STR ordinance three or more times within any 12-month period. Immediate revocation applies for Building Code violations, an unlicensed business, off-permit use, or advertising without the county permit number. Owners face a one-year reapplication bar.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Ordinance, a STRP Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit may be administratively revoked by the Community Development Department Director or his designee if the STRP has violated the provisions of this Article on three or more occasions within a 12-month period. Provided however, a STRP Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit may be immediately revoked if the Community Development Department Director determines the STRP has Building Code violations, there is no Business License for the property, the property is being used in a manner not consistent with the Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit issued for the STRP use, or the advertisement for the STRP does not include the County issued Short-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit Number.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55 Update 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
E, sets the county's repeat-violator standard. 1, the Community Development Department Director or a designee can administratively revoke an STRP Permit once the property has violated the Article's requirements on three or more occasions within a rolling 12-month period. The Director can skip that three-strike threshold and revoke immediately if the STRP has a Building Code violation, lacks the required Business License, is being used inconsistently with the permit issued for it, or is advertised without the county-issued STRP Permit Number displayed. 1, so a lapsed license alone is independent grounds for immediate revocation. 13 of the Ordinance. 3. 00 penalty when filing the new STRP application.
Violations & Fines
A first or second violation within 12 months leaves the STRP operating, but a third violation in that rolling year triggers administrative revocation of the STRP Permit. Building Code violations, an expired or missing Business License, off-permit use, or unlisted permit numbers in ads trigger immediate revocation with no three-strike grace. Reapplication is barred for one year unless the property sells to an unaffiliated owner and pays a $500.00 penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many violations before Beaufort County revokes a short-term rental permit?
Can the county revoke an STR permit without three violations first?
Can an owner appeal a revoked STR permit in Beaufort County?
How soon can a revoked STR property get a new permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaufort County
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