Isle of PalmsShort-term rental rules
Additional vacation and regional market / South Carolina
Isle of Palms requires rental licensing and publishes specific occupancy, parking and local-contact rules.
Research reviewed . Primary sources linked.
- Does the operating permit transfer?
- New application
Section 7-1-8(B) makes the business license nontransferable. A transfer of controlling interest requires a new business license, with the tax based on the former business's income. Use the city's rental-license application for the buyer.
- Can the land-use approval continue?
- Verify the property approval
The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
- Can this buyer obtain approval?
- Rental units must be offered in their entirety; private or shared rooms in single-family homes are not permitted under the city guidance. A representative must be able to reach the property within one hour.
- License or registration
- The current city page provides the 2026 rental application, revenue affidavit and fire-safety acknowledgment.
- 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
- Older planning packets contain proposed cap language. This entry does not treat those proposals as adopted rules.
What this means for the appraisal
- Obtain the buyer application requirements and confirm the earliest approved operating date before assuming continuity of rental income.
- Verify the property’s land-use approval and continuation conditions. Research finding: Verify the property approval.
- Check the proposed buyer against the recorded requirements: Rental units must be offered in their entirety; private or shared rooms in single-family homes are not permitted under the city guidance. A representative must be able to reach the property within one hour.
- 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 | Isle of Palms, 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: Section 7-1-8(B) makes the business license nontransferable. A transfer of controlling interest requires a new business license, with the tax based on the former business's income. Use the city's rental-license application for the buyer. 4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions. 5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: Rental units must be offered in their entirety; private or shared rooms in single-family homes are not permitted under the city guidance. A representative must be able to reach the property within one hour. 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: Isle of Palms rental licenses and 2026 application: https://www.isleofpalms.gov/building-and-planning/rental-licenses Isle of Palms Ordinance 2021-14, section 7-1-8(B): https://www.isleofpalms.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/ordinances/2021/ord_2021.14.pdf
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
Older planning packets contain proposed cap language. This entry does not treat those proposals as adopted rules.
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.
Nearby, with different rules
A mailing address or destination name can cover more than one jurisdiction.
- Charleston, SC (vacation market)
- Folly Beach, SC (additional vacation and regional market)