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Charleston vs. Myrtle Beach: short-term-rental rules
Both Charleston and Myrtle Beach carry the same headline short-term-rental status (Restricted) — the differences are in the details below: licensing, taxes, minimum stays, and enforcement.
| Rule | Charleston | Myrtle Beach |
|---|---|---|
| STR status | Restricted | Restricted |
| City license / registration | Residential Short Term Rental (STR) Permit — Category 1, 2, or 3; City of Charleston Business License; Fire Inspection and Plan Review; General liability insurance — $1,000,000 per occurrence; One (1) additional off-street parking space; Permit number in all listings; permit displayed on premises; no exterior signs; Current guest register; 15-day on-site public posting of STR application + 5-business-day appeal window; Notarized application with floor plans, site plan, photographs and signed acknowledgment; Commercial Short Term Rental Permit (ST Overlay Zone) — conditional use | City of Myrtle Beach Business License; Business registration / application prior to operation; Property must lie in a zoning district where Visitor Accommodations (short-term rental) is a permitted use; Guest register, photo identification and guest vehicle record (Code Sec. 14-220); City Hospitality Fee / Local Accommodations Tax account and monthly reporting |
| Primary residence | Required | Not required |
| Minimum stay | No set minimum | No set minimum |
| Lodging tax | ~14.0% total | ~21.0% total |
| Enforcement | Active | Active |
Neither is clearly easier at the headline level; the decision usually comes down to taxes and minimum-stay rules. Open each full record below for the cited, dated details.
Full Charleston rules Full Myrtle Beach rules
Frequently asked questions
Is short-term renting easier in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?
Both share the same headline status (Restricted); compare the licensing, tax, and minimum-stay rows above.
Do both Charleston and Myrtle Beach require a license or registration?
Charleston: yes — Residential Short Term Rental (STR) Permit — Category 1, 2, or 3; City of Charleston Business License; Fire Inspection and Plan Review; General liability insurance — $1,000,000 per occurrence; One (1) additional off-street parking space; Permit number in all listings; permit displayed on premises; no exterior signs; Current guest register; 15-day on-site public posting of STR application + 5-business-day appeal window; Notarized application with floor plans, site plan, photographs and signed acknowledgment; Commercial Short Term Rental Permit (ST Overlay Zone) — conditional use. Myrtle Beach: yes — City of Myrtle Beach Business License; Business registration / application prior to operation; Property must lie in a zoning district where Visitor Accommodations (short-term rental) is a permitted use; Guest register, photo identification and guest vehicle record (Code Sec. 14-220); City Hospitality Fee / Local Accommodations Tax account and monthly reporting.
Which has lower lodging taxes, Charleston or Myrtle Beach?
Charleston is lower at ~14.0% total. Combined lodging tax stacks state + local rates; see each record for the breakdown and who remits.
Informational summary of publicly available sources; not legal advice. Verify against each jurisdiction's official sources.