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Is Airbnb legal in Charleston, South Carolina?

Non-owner-occupant whole-home rentals effectively banned. Charleston's STR ordinance is owner-occupancy based. A Residential STR host must live at the property at least 183 days a year, hold the 4% owner-occupied property tax rate, and register voting and driver's license there. A non-owner-occupant investor cannot get a Residential STR permit at all. The only non-hosted path is a Commercial STR permit, limited to commercially zoned lots inside the small ST Overlay Zone in Cannonborough-Elliotborough.

Showing the researched rules for Charleston, SC below. Type your Charleston address to jump to the verdict.

Not allowed

Non-owner-occupant whole-home rentals effectively banned

Charleston's STR ordinance is owner-occupancy based. A Residential STR host must live at the property at least 183 days a year, hold the 4% owner-occupied property tax rate, and register voting and driver's license there. A non-owner-occupant investor cannot get a Residential STR permit at all. The only non-hosted path is a Commercial STR permit, limited to commercially zoned lots inside the small ST Overlay Zone in Cannonborough-Elliotborough.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental Permit
Issued by
City of Charleston
Cost
Not available to non-owner-occupants (zoning review fee ~$345 when eligible)
Renewal
Annual

Key limits

Owner occupancy
183 days per year minimum plus 4% tax rate and local voter registration
Commercial exception
Non-hosted STRs only in the ST Overlay Zone on commercially zoned lots
Guest cap
Up to four adults per rental
Parking
Three off-street spaces required for most categories

Taxes

SC accommodations tax
7% (5% state sales tax plus 2% state accommodations tax)

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Accept the residency rule
    A Residential STR permit requires you to make the property your primary residence for at least 183 days a year.
  2. 2
    Or target the overlay zone
    The only investor path is a commercially zoned parcel inside the ST Overlay Zone in Cannonborough-Elliotborough.
  3. 3
    Apply through the CAP portal
    File online through the city's Customer Access Portal, submit the floor plan, and pass the fire inspection.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
Condo and HOA documents can ban rentals regardless of city permits.
North Charleston differs
North Charleston is a separate city with a 60-permits-per-district cap and its own $350 application fee.

Sources

City of Charleston STR application guide (official PDF) · BNBCalc Charleston STR guide 2026

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.