Skip to content
LodgeDeck

Short-term rental rules

Running an Airbnb in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston permits short-term rentals through category-based rules tied to a Short-Term Rental Overlay and historic districts, generally requiring the unit to be the owner's primary residence plus a permit and business licence. Guests pay a combined accommodations tax of around 12 percent.

10 of 13 fields confirmedLast checked 18 Jul 2026 Lodging tax in Charleston

The rules

Every field, with its source

Anything not confirmed on an official source shows as Verify with jurisdiction rather than a guess.

Licence or permit required
YesReported

A permit and a business licence are required in all cases.

Source
Primary residence required
YesReported

The ordinance generally permits STRs in the owner's primary residence.

Source
Annual night cap
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Zoning restricted
Yes, limited to certain zonesReported

Eligibility depends on category and location relative to the Short-Term Rental Overlay and the Old and Historic District.

Source
Permit number shown on listing
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Register or apply
https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1840/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-InformationReported
Source
Enforcement notes
Category criteria differ by area; more than nine STR units on one lot triggers accommodations-overlay review. Permits and business licences are enforced together.Reported
Source

Check eligibility

Can you run each type of STR in Charleston?

A deterministic read of the cited rules for each common use type. When a governing rule is unknown, the verdict says so rather than guessing.

My primary residence (home-share)

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Charleston once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1840/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-Information
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Category criteria differ by area; more than nine STR units on one lot triggers accommodations-overlay review. Permits and business licences are enforced together.

Confidence: high. You live there and rent it while away or rent a room.

A whole second home / investment property

Restricted

In Charleston, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1840/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-Information
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Category criteria differ by area; more than nine STR units on one lot triggers accommodations-overlay review. Permits and business licences are enforced together.

Confidence: high. A dedicated STR that is not your primary residence.

An ADU, basement or garage unit

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Charleston once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1840/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-Information
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Category criteria differ by area; more than nine STR units on one lot triggers accommodations-overlay review. Permits and business licences are enforced together.

Confidence: high. An accessory dwelling on your property.

Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site

Restricted

In Charleston, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1840/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-Information
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Category criteria differ by area; more than nine STR units on one lot triggers accommodations-overlay review. Permits and business licences are enforced together.

Confidence: high. The strictest category in most cities.

LodgeDeck reports publicly available short-term rental rules and lodging tax rates and cites the source of each field. It is not legal or tax advice and it does not replace your own review. Ordinances and tax rates change often and automated collection can lag, so every field shows the source it came from and a confidence flag, and unconfirmed values are marked Unverified. Confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on a rule or rate.

FAQ

Common questions about Charleston

Do I need a licence to run an Airbnb in Charleston?

Yes. Charleston requires a short-term rental licence or registration before you list. A permit and a business licence are required in all cases.

Does a short-term rental have to be my primary residence in Charleston?

Yes. Charleston ties short-term rentals to a primary residence, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred. The ordinance generally permits STRs in the owner's primary residence.

Is there a night cap on short-term rentals in Charleston?

No annual night cap is confirmed for Charleston in our data. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Do I have to show my permit number on the listing in Charleston?

Not confirmed on an official source for Charleston. Verify with the jurisdiction before you rely on it.

What lodging tax will my guest pay in Charleston?

A guest pays roughly 12 percent combined lodging tax in Charleston. See the full lodging-tax breakdown for the state and local components.

See the lodging tax a guest pays in Charleston

Track Charleston for rule changes

Save the property and get an email when a rule or rate on this page changes. Free to check; monitoring is on Pro.

Open the free calculatorsAll cities