Sumter County, South Carolina
Sumter (city), SC vacation rental requirements
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Sumter (city)’s code. You owe 9% state-collected tax + 3% city accommodations fee, and the town may require a business license.
Checked against official sources November 6, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
We searched for short-term rental rules in November 2026 and found none. Confirm with the City of Sumter before you list.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of South Carolina
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
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
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
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
Then your county and city
Business licenses, rental permits, and zoning are where South Carolina towns differ most. Pick your area.
Sumter County, South Carolina
Then your city or area
Pick your area.
City of Sumter
Register for state and local taxes
The state-collected tax on stays here is 9% (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. Remit the city’s 3% accommodations fee to the City of Sumter by the 20th (quarterly or annually if small). Airbnb doesn’t list it, so file it yourself.Source
Ask about zoning and a business license
Ask the City of Sumter whether zoning allows a short-term rental at your address and whether you need a business license. Check your HOA rules too.
Sources
- Accommodations tax · South Carolina Department of Revenue
- Collection and remittance by Airbnb in South Carolina · Airbnb
- Revenue Ruling #15-4: vacation rentals of a residence · South Carolina Department of Revenue
- ST-575: Sales tax rates by municipality · South Carolina Department of Revenue
- Code section · City of Sumter (Municode)
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.