LicensedRental

Georgetown County, South Carolina

Georgetown, SC vacation rental requirements

The City of Georgetown requires a yearly short-term rental permit ($500 for a whole home, $250 owner-occupied; $250 to renew), a business license, insurance, a local agent, neighbor notice and inspections. The city caps short-term rentals at 250. Guests pay 11% in tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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City permit
STR permit, yearly (May 1)
Plus a city business license in the owner’s name and building and fire inspections.Source
Permit fee
$500 or $250; $250 renewal
$500 non-owner-occupied; $250 owner-occupied or accessory dwelling.Source
Cap
250 short-term rentals
Renew between April 1 and May 1 to keep your place outside the cap.Source
Local agent
On site within 1 hour
The 2026 application says 2 hours; the UDO says 1.Source
Taxes
11%
8% state-collected + 3% city local accommodations tax.Source

Three code violations at a property within 12 months suspend its permit for 12 months.

Permits expire May 1 each year and aren’t prorated.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of South Carolina

  1. Get a retail license for direct bookings

    If you take bookings yourself, you need a SCDOR retail license for each rental property and must file and pay electronically through MyDORWAY. If you rent only through a property manager or an online travel company that takes the payment, they remit the state tax and you don’t need a license. Rent no more than one week a quarter and you can file once a year instead.Source

    MyDORWAY →

  2. Know what the platform collects

    Airbnb collects the 5% sales tax, 2% accommodations tax, and the local sales taxes the state collects, on its bookings. It also collects some county and city accommodations taxes, but only in the places it lists. Everything else is yours to file.Source

  3. Register for local taxes

    Many counties and cities charge their own accommodations tax (up to 3%), a hospitality tax, or a beach preservation fee. They collect these directly, so you register with the county or city even if a platform pays your state tax.Source

  4. Check your property tax rate

    A home that is your legal residence keeps the 4% assessment ratio only if it is rented out 72 days or less a year. Rent it more and it is taxed as a 6% rental property. Ask your county assessor.Source

  5. Then your county and city

    Business licenses, rental permits, and zoning are where South Carolina towns differ most. Pick your area.

Georgetown County, South Carolina

  1. Then your town or area

    The City of Georgetown requires a permit, Pawleys Island has its own 3% tax, and the rest of the county files with the county. Pick your area.

City of Georgetown

  1. Get a city business license first

    The property owner needs their own City of Georgetown business license; a rental company’s license doesn’t count. If you use an agent, they need one too. The permit can’t be issued until the license application is in.Source

  2. Apply for the short-term rental permit

    Submit the application (one per unit) with proof of ownership, proof of insurance showing short-term rental use, a copy of your guest rental agreement, your agent’s signed certification, and the fee. Owner-occupied applicants add proof of homestead exemption or a sworn affidavit. Email planning@georgetownsc.gov, mail to P.O. Drawer 939, or bring it to City Hall, 420 S. Hazard St.Source

    Georgetown STR permit →

  3. Notify your neighbors

    Give the adjacent property owners written notice of the street address, on-site parking and maximum occupancy, either hand-delivered with their signature or by certified mail, and include copies with your application.Source

  4. Plan parking and pass inspections

    Homes with 4 or more bedrooms need a parking plan (a diagram of the spaces). After zoning approval, the Building and Fire Departments inspect the unit before the license is issued.Source

  5. Register for state and local taxes

    The state-collected tax on stays here is 8% (state sales and accommodations tax plus local sales taxes). Airbnb collects it on its bookings; for direct bookings, get a SCDOR retail license and file through MyDORWAY. File the 3% city local accommodations tax with the City of Georgetown monthly, quarterly or yearly. Airbnb doesn’t list a Georgetown city tax among those it collects.Source

Short-term rental permit fees

Initial application, non-owner-occupied$500
Initial application, owner-occupied or ADU$250
Annual renewal (all types)$250
Penalty if you operated illegally the prior yearOn top of the permit fee.$500

Fees are non-refundable. Source

House rules for guests

Maximum guests
4 for 1–2 bedrooms; 2 per bedroom for 3+
Source
Bedrooms
No more than 6 per parcel
Source
Quiet hours
11 pm to 7 am
Source
Post inside
License, owner/agent contact, maximum occupants
Source

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.