CharlestonShort-term rental rules
Vacation market / South Carolina
Residential permits require a qualifying resident. Some lawful older bed-and-breakfast uses can continue through the city's ownership-change process.
Research reviewed . Primary sources linked.
- Does the operating permit transfer?
- Depends on approval
A residential buyer must qualify for the residential program. The city separately says an existing lawful, nonconforming bed-and-breakfast use can transfer through a Change of Ownership application to Zoning. This is a use-specific exception, not a general transferable STR license.
- Can the land-use approval continue?
- Some legacy uses can continue
The city describes an ownership-change process for lawful nonconforming bed-and-breakfast uses. A residential STR buyer must meet the resident requirements. Identify the original use approval first.
- Can this buyer obtain approval?
- Residential categories require the owner's primary residence and legal-residence tax qualification. Non-owner-occupied commercial STRs are limited to eligible commercial districts within the STR overlay.
- License or registration
- Annual short-term rental permit, Certificate of Operation and business license. Residential and commercial categories have different eligibility rules.
- Application availability
- Confirm current availability
Check the official program before applying. The absence of a reported waitlist is not evidence that this property or buyer can receive approval.
- Timing to verify
- No sale-specific deadline was established in this summary. Ask the issuing office about filing, renewal and any interruption in operation.
- Changes and uncertainty
- Obtain the original use approval and confirm its category. The city's FAQ describing legacy bed-and-breakfast treatment dates to the 2018 ordinance.
What this means for the appraisal
- Identify the exact approval held by the seller and obtain the issuing office’s written procedure for this ownership change.
- Verify the property’s land-use approval and continuation conditions. Research finding: Some legacy uses can continue.
- Check the proposed buyer against the recorded requirements: Residential categories require the owner's primary residence and legal-residence tax qualification. Non-owner-occupied commercial STRs are limited to eligible commercial districts within the STR overlay.
- In the assignment analysis, identify the evidence supporting the proposed rental use, any operating interruption and any unresolved assumptions.
Use these prompts to plan the property review. The appraiser must evaluate the evidence and reach the assignment-specific conclusions.
Record the property evidence in a worksheetRequest documents from the owner or agent
Copy this market-specific request, add the property address and edit it for the assignment.
Read or select the document request
Subject: STR property document request | Charleston, SC Please provide the following documents for the property under review. Identify any item that is unavailable or does not apply. 1. Property address, parcel ID and confirmation of the governing jurisdiction. 2. Current operating permit or registration, named holder, expiration date and renewal history, if applicable. 3. Written ownership-change instructions from the issuing office. Guide finding: A residential buyer must qualify for the residential program. The city separately says an existing lawful, nonconforming bed-and-breakfast use can transfer through a Change of Ownership application to Zoning. This is a use-specific exception, not a general transferable STR license. 4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The city describes an ownership-change process for lawful nonconforming bed-and-breakfast uses. A residential STR buyer must meet the resident requirements. Identify the original use approval first. 5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: Residential categories require the owner's primary residence and legal-residence tax qualification. Non-owner-occupied commercial STRs are limited to eligible commercial districts within the STR overlay. 6. Current confirmation of application availability, including any cap, waitlist, lottery or separation rule. Guide finding: Check the official program before applying. The absence of a reported waitlist is not evidence that this property or buyer can receive approval. 7. Recorded covenants, HOA or condominium rental restrictions and applicable lease restrictions. 8. Rental operating statements and booking records, with the periods covered and any anticipated interruption at closing. Market research reviewed: 2026-10-31. These requests need property-specific verification. Official research sources: City category criteria: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2323/Category-Criteria Permit and renewal information: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1840/Short-Term-Rental-Permit-Information City FAQ: commercial overlay and existing bed-and-breakfast uses: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/1857/Frequently-Asked-Questions Residential application, including change of ownership: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18611
Research and guide updates
- Research record: Research recorded for this market. Primary sources linked. See the findings, open questions and official sources below.
- Guide tools: Added assignment prompts, a document request and consistent research questions. This tool update does not change the market research date.
Changes and uncertainty to verify
Obtain the original use approval and confirm its category. The city's FAQ describing legacy bed-and-breakfast treatment dates to the 2018 ordinance.
Sources and research limits
The sale summary cites official code, program guidance or a court record. Read its scope and any remaining questions; it is not a parcel determination.
Use this summary to identify the documents and questions for a property review. A seller's rental history alone does not establish a buyer's permission to operate.