Greenville Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Occupancy Permit (General Lodging use) plus business license (fee varies) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit — 29 days or fewer per stay |
| Tax Rate | 10% |
| Max Penalty | Fines apply (amount varies) |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Occupancy Permit (General Lodging use) plus business license
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | fee varies |
| Renewal | fee varies |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Allowed only in non-residential mixed-use districts where General Lodging is permitted (MX- and MXS- districts, plus BG, BH, IX, CM). Prohibited in residential RH-, RN-, and RC- districts.
Application Process
Confirm the property is in a non-residential zoning district that allows General Lodging using the City's zoning tool. Obtain a current City of Greenville business license, fill out an application, secure an Occupancy Permit, and complete the online permit. Set up an accommodations tax account. Multi-unit dwellings with 4 or more units may devote no more than 25% of units to STR; at least one parking space is required for a single unit. Planned Developments (PD) should contact the Planning Office.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| State Sales Tax | 5% | South Carolina Department of Revenue |
| State Accommodations Tax | 2% | South Carolina Department of Revenue |
| Local Accommodations Tax | 3% | City of Greenville |
Combined rate: 10% of gross rental income.
Collection: Operators directly booking short-term rentals must hold a Retail License and file and pay Accommodations Tax electronically through MyDORWAY. The person or business who books the accommodations is responsible for collecting and paying the tax. The City of Greenville's 3% local accommodations tax is paid to the City (online after the first payment).
Filing: Monthly; returns due by the 20th of the month following the end of the filing period (City local accommodations tax also due on the 20th of each month)
Rental Limits
Greenville 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.
Zoning & Restrictions
STRs (rentals under 30 days) are classified as the General Lodging use and are permitted only in non-residential mixed-use zoning districts: MX-2, MX-3, MX-5, MX-D, MXS-2, MXS-3, MXS-5, MXS-D, BG, BH, IX, and CM. General Lodging is not permitted in residential districts (those beginning with RH-, RN-, and RC-). In multi-unit dwellings with 4 or more units, no more than 25% of units may be used for STR.
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Greenville does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- At least one parking space is required for a single unit short-term rental
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Illegal short-term rentals (operating without the required permit, license, or zoning approval) may be reported to Planning and Zoning. Nuisance activity may be reported to police on the non-emergency line.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Greenville:
- Meet safety requirements. At least one parking space is required for a single unit short-term rental.
- Apply for Occupancy Permit (General Lodging use) plus business license. Submit application. Contact city for fee details.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with South Carolina Department of Revenue (state sales and accommodations tax); City of Greenville (3% local accommodations tax).
- Collect and remit taxes. 10% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Greenville?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Greenville requires an Occupancy Permit (General Lodging use) plus business license.
- Are there major restrictions on short-term rentals in Greenville?
- Yes — STRs (rentals under 30 days) are classified as the General Lodging use and are permitted only in non-residential mixed-use zoning districts: MX-2, MX-3, MX-5, MX-D, MXS-2, MXS-3, MXS-5, MXS-D, BG,… Review the full rules above before listing.
- Does Greenville require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Greenville 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 Greenville?
- Greenville 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 Greenville?
- Short-term rental stays in Greenville are subject to a combined 10% in lodging taxes. This combines 5% State Sales Tax + 2% State Accommodations Tax + 3% Local Accommodations Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Greenville?
- Illegal short-term rentals (operating without the required permit, license, or zoning approval) may be reported to Planning and Zoning.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.