Charleston Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short Term Rental Permit (Categories 1-3) plus Business License

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Apply through City of Charleston Permit Center at 2 George Street or online. Must obtain both a business license and an STR permit. Commercial STR applications require site plan and floor plans showing compliance with ST Overlay Zone conditions.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 14.0% of gross rental income.

Collection: Operator must collect and remit. Property owners ultimately responsible regardless of hiring a property manager. If renting exclusively through a property management or online travel company that reserves rooms and accepts payment, that company is responsible for remitting the tax.

Filing: Monthly, due by the 20th of the following month

Rental Limits

Charleston does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 29 days or fewer per stay.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Maximum 4 unrelated people per dwelling unit; only 1 family at a time

Zoning & Restrictions

Commercial STRs allowed only on commercially zoned properties within the ST Overlay Zone (CT, LB, GB, UC, MU-1, MU-1/WH, MU-2, MU-2/WH districts). Primary residence STRs permitted in homeowner's primary residence. Bed & Breakfasts allowed within ST Overlay Zone with owner-occupancy.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Operators must maintain at least $1,000,000 per occurrence in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and/or incarceration. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense. Permit revoked if use fails to meet requirements or is discontinued for 12+ months.

Platform Requirements

STR permit number must be displayed in advertisements. Business license number must be displayed in the unit and in all advertisements.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Charleston:

1. Obtain liability insurance. $1,000,000 per occurrence minimum.
2. Apply for Short Term Rental Permit (Categories 1-3) plus Business License. Submit application + $345 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
4. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 14.0% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $345 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Charleston?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Charleston requires a short-term rental permit.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Charleston?

A short-term rental permit in Charleston costs $345 per year.

Does Charleston require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Charleston allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Charleston?

Charleston does not cap the total number of nights per year, but each individual stay must be 29 days or fewer.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Charleston?

Short-term rental stays in Charleston are subject to a combined 14.0% in lodging taxes. This combines 5.0% State Sales Tax + 2.0% State Accommodations Tax + 1.0% Local Option Sales Tax + 1.0% County Transportation Tax + 1.0% Education Tax + 2.0% County Accommodations Tax + 2.0% City of Charleston Accommodations Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Charleston?

Operating without a permit can cost up to $1,087.