Charleston Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Residential Rental License

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Register online via the City of Charleston's website, or complete an "Application for Residential Rental License(s)" and submit it in person or by mail to the City Collector's Office (915 Quarrier St., Suite 4). No fee. An application may be denied for delinquent business & occupation taxes, delinquent fire/refuse fees, or unresolved building/planning/zoning fines tied to the unit, or if the unit is found unfit for occupancy. Rental units are subject to periodic code-compliance inspection (at most once every 24 months). License term is Jan. 1–Dec. 31, renewed annually.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.

Collection: Self-remit: the hotel operator (STR host) collects the 6% city hotel occupancy tax from the guest and remits it to the City Collector. Separately, WV state law requires anyone renting out lodging (including private houses, condos, and apartments) to register with the WV State Tax Department and self-collect/remit the 6% state sales tax plus the 1% Charleston municipal sales tax on the rental fee.

Filing: Monthly (hotel occupancy tax due by the 15th day of the month following collection)

Rental Limits

Charleston does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Zoning & Restrictions

• No STR-specific zoning restrictions.
• The Zoning Ordinance defines no "Short-Term Rental" or "Vacation Rental" use category.
• The only defined transient-lodging use is "Bed and Breakfast Inn" (max. 6 guest rooms, owner-occupied, breakfast-only, at least 500 ft from the nearest residential structure) — a distinct use from whole-unit short-term rental of an entire dwelling, which is not separately classified and falls under general residential zoning.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Charleston 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

• Compliance with all applicable city, county, and state building, fire, health, safety, and zoning codes
• Subject to periodic code-compliance inspection (no more than once per 24-month period per rental unit)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Rental license violation: fine of not less than $500 per rental unit; each month the violation continues is a separate violation, adjudicated through Charleston Municipal Court. Hotel occupancy tax violation: 5% penalty for the first month of delinquency plus 1% for each additional month, plus 6% annual interest; willful evasion or false returns is a misdemeanor.

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Charleston from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.

Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Meet safety requirements. Compliance with all applicable city, county, and state building, fire, health, safety, and zoning codes. Subject to periodic code-compliance inspection (no more than once per 24-month period per rental unit).
2. Apply for Residential Rental License. Submit application — there is no application fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Charleston Office of the City Collector; West Virginia State Tax Department.
4. Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
5. Renew annually. $0 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 Residential Rental License.

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

A Residential Rental License in Charleston is free — there is no application fee.

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 number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

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

Short-term rental stays in Charleston are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Charleston Hotel Occupancy Tax + 6% West Virginia State Sales and Use Tax + 1% Charleston Municipal Sales and Use Tax. Hosts are legally responsible; many booking platforms collect and remit them automatically on the host's behalf.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Charleston?

Penalties run up to $500 (see the Penalties section for the full schedule).