Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Bluffton, SC

Airbnb listings are allowed in Bluffton, SC, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as dwellings rented in their entirety for less than 30 consecutive days. One STR is permitted per lot in specific zoning districts (AG, RMU, RG, NC, GM, RV-HD, NCV-HD, NG-HD, NCE-HD), with off-street parking required at one space per bedroom and a 24/7 local contact able to respond within one hour. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as dwellings rented in their entirety for less than 30 consecutive days. One STR is permitted per lot in specific zoning districts (AG, RMU, RG, NC, GM, RV-HD, NCV-HD, NG-HD, NCE-HD), with off-street parking required at one space per bedroom and a 24/7 local contact able to respond within one hour.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Bluffton. 1. Submit a completed Short-term Rental Unit Permit application for each unit along with proof of ownership, a notice to adjacent property owners affidavit, and HOA/POA approval if applicable. 2. Obtain a Town of Bluffton Business License for the owner (and agent if applicable) and submit a life-safety checklist with photos of required safety items. Permits must be renewed annually.

1. Submit a completed Short-term Rental Unit Permit application for each unit along with proof of ownership, a notice to adjacent property owners affidavit, and HOA/POA approval if applicable. 2. Obtain a Town of Bluffton Business License for the owner (and agent if applicable) and submit a life-safety checklist with photos of required safety items. Permits must be renewed annually.

Vrbo is permitted in Bluffton, SC under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Bluffton are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Bluffton. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.