Charleston Livability and Tourism staff revoke short-term-rental permits after three sustained violations within twelve months, with a one-year cooling-off period before the same property may reapply for any STR category.
Charleston's enforcement protocol pairs each citation with an administrative review. After three sustained violations of any STR rule within a rolling twelve-month period (occupancy overage, noise, parking, unpermitted operation, missing host placard), the city automatically initiates revocation. The owner receives written notice and may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Sustained revocation triggers a one-year ban on STR re-permitting at that address regardless of ownership change. The strike framework was strengthened after 2020 enforcement-data review showed warnings alone were ineffective in the historic district.
Three sustained citations within twelve months trigger automatic revocation, one-year reapplication ban, and listing on the city's public non-compliant property registry.
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...
Charleston, SC
Short-term rental guests in Charleston must comply with the city's noise ordinance. STR operators are responsible for ensuring guests do not create excessive...
See how Charleston's repeat violator strikes rules stack up against other locations.
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