Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Charleston County, SC

Airbnb listings are allowed in Charleston County, SC, but with restrictions. STRs are permitted only in unincorporated areas of the county and are classified into categories based on the number of days rented and the type of dwelling. Requirements include compliance with ZLDR Article 6.8, potential Board of Zoning Appeals approval for extended rentals, and mandatory annual renewal. Specific zoning district restrictions and occupancy limits apply based on the permit type. 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.

STRs are permitted only in unincorporated areas of the county and are classified into categories based on the number of days rented and the type of dwelling. Requirements include compliance with ZLDR Article 6.8, potential Board of Zoning Appeals approval for extended rentals, and mandatory annual renewal. Specific zoning district restrictions and occupancy limits apply based on the permit type.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Charleston County. 1) Determine the applicable STR category (Limited, Extended, Commercial, or Dewees Island) and download the corresponding application packet from the Zoning & Planning website. 2) Submit the completed application and required documentation via the County's online permitting portal (EnerGov) or directly to the Zoning & Planning Department. 3) For certain types (e.g., Extended Home Rental), obtain a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals; all permits must be renewed annually using the STR Annual Renewal Affidavit.

1) Determine the applicable STR category (Limited, Extended, Commercial, or Dewees Island) and download the corresponding application packet from the Zoning & Planning website. 2) Submit the completed application and required documentation via the County's online permitting portal (EnerGov) or directly to the Zoning & Planning Department. 3) For certain types (e.g., Extended Home Rental), obtain a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals; all permits must be renewed annually using the STR Annual Renewal Affidavit.

Vrbo is permitted in Charleston County, 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 Charleston County 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 Charleston County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.