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Charleston County’s Best Short-Term Rental Areas: Investor Guide & Quick Look Spreadsheet
Brian Test
June 27, 2025
If you’re searching for where to invest in a short-term rental in Charleston County, you’re not alone. The Lowcountry continues to attract tourists, digital nomads, and seasonal visitors year-round, making it one of the hottest destinations for Airbnb and vacation rental investors. But knowing where you can legally operate a short-term rental (STR) is critical—especially as local rules vary widely between cities, towns, and unincorporated zones.
At Richter & Co., we’re proud to be the #1 ranked real estate team in Charleston—not just because we help clients buy and sell homes, but because we truly understand how and where smart investors should be spending their money. Our clients rely on us for expert insight into Airbnb-friendly neighborhoods, STR regulations, and the ROI potential behind every property. And now, we’re pulling back the curtain and giving you access to a free investor-friendly guide and spreadsheet that breaks it all down.
Why Charleston County is Hot for Airbnb & STR Investment
With its blend of beaches, history, charm, and southern hospitality, Charleston County attracts over 7 million visitors annually (source: https://www.charlestoncvb.com/media/charleston-visitor-statistics/). From surfers at Folly Beach to foodies on King Street, this region provides year-round demand for Airbnb Charleston properties. However, not every municipality is equally friendly to investors—and buying in the wrong area can lead to expensive restrictions or outright bans.
That’s why it’s vital to do your homework before you invest. Our guide covers:
- Which cities allow short-term rentals (and which don’t)
- Investor-friendly zones with favorable rules
- Permit requirements, licensing steps, types allowed, and key restrictions
- Our exclusive at-a-glance spreadsheet (see spreadsheet above)
Investor-Friendly STR Snapshot by Municipality
Each municipality in Charleston County has its own STR rules, ranging from full investor access to owner-only use. Here are the highlights from our updated spreadsheet:
✅ Most Investor-Friendly:
- North Charleston – Whole-home and room rentals allowed, no owner occupancy required. Capped at 60 permits per district. STR + business license required.
- Goose Creek – Investor-friendly with clear licensing. 1 property per lot, off-street parking, and 1-hour agent response required.
- Isle of Palms – No permit cap. Whole homes and condos allowed. Great for beachfront rentals. Must register and pay income-based business fees.
⚠️ Conditional/Moderate Zones:
- Mount Pleasant – 400 permit cap. Part/full-time rental categories. Higher taxes for full-time STR use. Waitlist applies.
- Summerville – STRs allowed in primary residences only (183+ days/year). Whole homes and rooms permitted.
- Johns Island & West Ashley (Unincorporated) – Up to 144 nights/year for non-owner STRs. Zoning + special exception required.
- Seabrook Island – STRs allowed but strictly regulated through both the town and HOA (SIPOA). Night minimums apply.
❌ Not Investor-Friendly:
- City of Charleston (Downtown, Daniel Island, West Ashley) – STRs allowed only in owner-occupied homes. Strict primary residency and zoning rules.
- James Island – Owner must live on-site. B&B-style rentals only. Max 3 rooms.
- Sullivan’s Island – STRs under 30 nights banned except for grandfathered properties.
- Daniel Island – Follows City of Charleston’s STR rules. Must be owner-occupied.
Quick look Short Term Rental Spreadsheet
| Municipality | Types Allowed | Permit Cap/Restriction | Licensing Requirements | Source | Key Restrictions |
| Charleston | Owner-occupied units only (rooms or ADUs) | Owner-Occupied Only | STR Permit + Residency Proof | https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2422/Short-Term-Rentals | Owner must reside on-site; max 1 STR per property; no full-house rental |
| Mount Pleasant | Whole homes, rooms, ADUs with permit | 400 Cap | Annual Permit + License | https://www.tompsc.com/Directory.aspx?EID=146 | Permit cap enforced; full-time STR taxed at commercial rate |
| Summerville | Whole homes, rooms in primary residences | Primary Residence Required | Business License + Residency Proof | https://www.summervillesc.gov/shorttermrentals | Must be primary residence for at least 183 days per year |
| North Charleston | Whole homes and room rentals (investor-friendly) | 60 per District | STR Permit + 24/7 Contact | https://www.northcharleston.org/residents/short-term-rentals/ | Max 1 STR per parcel; no on-street parking for guests; 24/7 local contact required |
| Goose Creek | Whole homes (1 unit per parcel) | 1 Property per Lot | STR + Business + ATAX License | https://www.cityofgoosecreek.com/residents/short-term-rentals | 1 STR per property; local agent must respond within 1 hour |
| Hanahan | Likely whole homes and room rentals (verify locally) | Check Locally | Likely Similar to Goose Creek | https://www.cityofhanahan.com/ | Likely similar to Goose Creek rules; verify locally |
| James Island | Only B&B-style rentals in owner-occupied homes | Owner-Occupied Only | B&B Style Permit Only | https://www.jamesislandsc.us/short-term-rental | Only B&B-style rentals; owner must be present; limited to 3 rooms |
| Johns Island | Whole homes, rooms (subject to 144-night cap) | 144 Nights Max (Non-Owner) | Zoning Permit + Special Exception | https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/zoning-planning/short-term-rentals.php | Max 144 rental nights/year if not owner-occupied; zoning board approval required |
| Folly Beach | Whole homes (max 5 bedrooms), subject to cap | 800 Cap (Waitlist) | STR Registration + 28-Night Min | https://www.cityoffollybeach.com/short-term-rentals/ | Waitlist for permits; 28-night minimum per year; licenses required |
| Daniel Island | Owner-occupied units only (follows Charleston rules) | Same as Charleston | Charleston STR Permit | https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2422/Short-Term-Rentals | Falls under City of Charleston STR rules; must be owner-occupied |
| Isle of Palms | Whole homes, condos (no permit cap) | None | Business License (Income-Based) | https://www.iop.net/short-term-rentals | No permit cap; standard business license rules apply |
| West Ashley | Same as City of Charleston: owner-occupied only | Charleston Rules Apply | City of Charleston STR Permit | https://www.charleston-sc.gov/2422/Short-Term-Rentals | Same as City of Charleston rules; must be owner-occupied |
| Seabrook Island | Whole homes permitted, subject to HOA and town approval | HOA + Town Permit Rules | STR Permit + SIPOA Compliance | https://www.townofseabrookisland.org/short-term-rentals.html | Subject to SIPOA rules, minimum night stays, inspections, and zoning compliance |
*This enhanced format makes it easier than ever to compare your investment options at a glance.
Long-Term & Mid-Term Rentals (90+ Days): A Smart Alternative
If navigating Charleston’s short-term rental laws feels overwhelming, there’s a flexible and often overlooked option: mid-term rentals (90+ days). These rentals don’t typically fall under strict STR ordinances and are in high demand—especially from traveling nurses, corporate consultants, remote workers, and military personnel relocating temporarily to the area.
Many Charleston-area investors are maximizing ROI by offering furnished housing on platforms like Furnished Finder, Zillow Rentals, or through direct partnerships with local hospitals and travel nurse agencies. These 3-month+ leases:
- Avoid STR permit and licensing hurdles
- Provide more stable, longer-term income
- Allow landlords to stay within HOA or city guidelines in restricted zones
Mid-term rentals are especially ideal in West Ashley, Johns Island, Summerville, and even parts of Charleston proper where STR caps or residency requirements may apply.
At Richter & Co., we help investors evaluate properties not just for Airbnb, but also for the broader furnished rental market. If you’re considering a hybrid strategy or looking to pivot from short-term into seasonal or corporate leasing, we’ll guide you to the right neighborhoods and compliance paths.
Final Thoughts: Work With STR Experts at Richter & Co.
Don’t risk buying in the wrong zip code. At Richter & Co., we specialize in helping investors buy, permit, and scale profitable Airbnb Charleston properties. From analyzing STR income projections to navigating city permits, we’re your boots-on-the-ground local experts.
Whether you’re looking to buy a beachfront cottage, downtown duplex, or low-maintenance condo, we know how to help you maximize your ROI—and stay compliant.
📲 Ready to start? Reach out to our investor team at https://bestcharlestonagents.com/ or book a consultation today.
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Explore where to invest in Charleston’s short-term rental market with this detailed infographic from Richter & Co., highlighting STR regulations, investor-friendly cities, permit limits, and property types across Charleston County and nearby areas.
