Kiawah Island, SC Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated September 02, 2023

Kiawah Island Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.5
  • Competition

    5.4
  • Real Estate Cost

    4.3
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    3.5
  • Rental Rates

    8.7

Kiawah Island, South Carolina Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
2,013
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
April to September
County
Charleston
Airports
Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
Review our Kiawah Island South Carolina short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Kiawah Island?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Kiawah Island rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Kiawah Island rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Kiawah Island.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Kiawah Island Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Kiawah Island guests.

Interested in other South Carolina cities?

Check out the South Carolina short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Kiawah Island a great place to invest?

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, is a premier destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, recreational activities, and world-class amenities, making it an ideal location for investing in short-term rentals.
  1. Pristine Beaches: Kiawah Island boasts over 10 miles of pristine beaches, providing an idyllic setting for visitors to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy water sports. The clean and well-maintained beaches attract tourists year-round, ensuring a steady demand for short-term rentals.
  2. World-Class Golf Courses: Home to five championship golf courses, including the famous Ocean Course, Kiawah Island is a golfer's paradise. Golf enthusiasts from around the world flock to the island to experience its challenging courses and breathtaking scenery, creating a high demand for accommodations.
  3. Abundance of Outdoor Activities: Beyond golf, Kiawah Island offers a plethora of outdoor activities such as tennis, kayaking, cycling, and bird watching. The island's extensive network of trails and waterways provide endless opportunities for exploration and adventure, appealing to a wide range of visitors.
  4. Luxurious Amenities: Kiawah Island is known for its luxurious amenities, including upscale dining options, spa facilities, and shopping centers. These amenities enhance the overall experience of visitors, making it a sought-after destination for those looking for a luxurious getaway.
  5. Proximity to Charleston: Kiawah Island is located just a short drive from Charleston, a historic and vibrant city known for its charming architecture, delicious cuisine, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors to Kiawah Island often take day trips to Charleston, adding to the appeal of the island as a base for exploring the region.

Kiawah Island Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Kiawah Island?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Kiawah Island has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $302, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$658,844

1% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$302

-3% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$2,270

0% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Word Cloud for Kiawah Island, South Carolina Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Kiawah Island short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Kiawah Island has a description approximately 3,149 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 1,656 listings in Kiawah Island, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Kiawah Island, Villa, Deck, Golf Course, Seabrook Island, Pool, Beach, Beach gear, Screened porch, and View.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Kiawah Island?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Kiawah Island involve Cycling, the Marina, Boating, Tennis, and Golfing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Cycling

Marina

Boating

Tennis

Golfing

Beach

Swimming

Adventure Activities

Wildlife Viewing

Health Spa

Horseback Riding

Kayaking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Kiawah Island, including Kiawah Island Beach, Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Angel Oak Tree, and Freshfields Village. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Local Landmark

Bohicket Marina

Included on 92% of listings

Local Landmark

The Ocean Course

Included on 92% of listings

Regional Landmark

Kiawah Island Beach

Included on 91% of listings

Local Landmark

Night Heron Park

Included on 91% of listings

Local Landmark

Osprey Point Golf Course

Included on 89% of listings

Regional Landmark

Freshfields Village

Included on 84% of listings

Regional Landmark

Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Included on 84% of listings

Local Landmark

Turtle Point Golf Course

Included on 83% of listings

Regional Landmark

Angel Oak Tree

Included on 31% of listings

Local Landmark

Turtle Point Golf Course

Included on 9% of listings

Regional Landmark

Kiawah Beachwalker Park

Included on 8% of listings

Regional Landmark

Freshfields Village

Included on 7% of listings

What’s the weather like in Kiawah Island, South Carolina?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 75°, while the average low is about 60°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 41 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Kiawah Island are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

45° Low 62° High

Precipitation
9.0"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
3.9 days
Cloudiness
47%

Spring

March through May

58° Low 74° High

Precipitation
8.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
25.8 days
Cloudiness
41%

Summer

June through August

75° Low 87° High

Precipitation
13.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
87.1 days
Cloudiness
53%

Fall

September through November

61° Low 76° High

Precipitation
10.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
40.6 days
Cloudiness
41%