Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Dorchester County, SC

Airbnb listings are allowed in Dorchester County, SC, but with restrictions. STRs are defined as rentals of an entire or extra dwelling unit by a permanent resident for less than one month. They are permitted in D-MX, UC-MX, N-B, and G-B zones; in other zones like N-R and MF-R, they are conditional uses requiring owner-occupancy, insurance, and safety inspections. Some zones (GR-3, GR-5) also require a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals. 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 defined as rentals of an entire or extra dwelling unit by a permanent resident for less than one month. They are permitted in D-MX, UC-MX, N-B, and G-B zones; in other zones like N-R and MF-R, they are conditional uses requiring owner-occupancy, insurance, and safety inspections. Some zones (GR-3, GR-5) also require a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Dorchester County. 1. Apply for a Lodging Conditional Use permit and/or Special Exception through the Town of Summerville’s online Citizenserve portal. 2. Obtain a valid business license and provide proof of liability insurance for each unit. 3. Schedule and pass an initial safety inspection conducted by the Town.

1. Apply for a Lodging Conditional Use permit and/or Special Exception through the Town of Summerville’s online Citizenserve portal. 2. Obtain a valid business license and provide proof of liability insurance for each unit. 3. Schedule and pass an initial safety inspection conducted by the Town.

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