North Charleston, SC Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
North Charleston 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.
City Code of Ordinances
The City Council adopted "An Ordinance Adding Section 4-21 to the City of North Charleston Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Zoning Regulations, to Establish Regulations for Short Term Rental". The Ordinance is effective January 1, 2023, but the City will be processing applications and issuing permits starting September 6, 2022.North Charleston defined short-term rental as a dwelling unit intended to provide temporary sleeping accommodations for no more than two persons per bedroom, up to eight (8) persons (including children) maximum, for a period not to exceed twenty-nine (29) consecutive days per rental.
Business License Requirements
Apply For A STR Permit, and a business license will be issued only if the permit has received preliminary approval from the Planning and Zoning Department.Building and Housing Standards
A building/fire inspection is required before approval of a permit. The building/fire inspection will examine fire protection, egress, electric, and heating components. SHORT-TERM RENTAL FIRE PROTECTION CRITERIATourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of North Charleston for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.2
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Competition
4.1 -
Real Estate Cost
4.4 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
5.6 -
Rental Rates
7.7
North Charleston, 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
- 114,852
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Dorchester
- Airports
- Charleston International Airport (CHS)
- Mount Pleasant Regional Airport (KLRO)
Want to learn more about North Charleston?
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 North Charleston rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the North Charleston rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in North Charleston.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits North Charleston guests.
Interested in other South Carolina cities?
Check out the South Carolina Airbnb rules directory
What makes North Charleston a great place to invest?
- Rich History & Culture: Immerse yourself in the city's fascinating past at the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center, which showcases antique fire equipment and explores the history of firefighting. Don't miss the nearby H.L. Hunley Submarine, a Civil War-era vessel that offers a unique glimpse into 19th-century naval history.
- Riverfront Park & Naval Complex: Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Cooper River at the picturesque Riverfront Park. Take in the stunning views of the water, explore the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, and attend one of the many festivals and events held in the park throughout the year.
- Outdoor Adventures: Explore the great outdoors with a visit to Wannamaker County Park, which offers miles of walking and biking trails, a dog park, and a waterpark for kids. Or, head to the nearby Francis Marion National Forest for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting opportunities.
- Culinary Delights: Savor the flavors of the Lowcountry at North Charleston's diverse array of restaurants. From Southern comfort food to fresh seafood and international cuisine, the city's thriving food scene is sure to please even the most discerning palates.
North Charleston Nearby Cities
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6 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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10 miles away
- Rating: 7.1
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in North Charleston?
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 North Charleston has increased 6% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $397, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$633,262
6% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$397
7% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,288
10% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for North Charleston
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for North Charleston, South Carolina
Common terms for North Charleston 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 North Charleston has a description approximately 2,506 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 3,406 listings in North Charleston, 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 Wonderer, Charleston, City, Downtown Charleston, Given, Block, Perfect, Subject, Management Company, and StayDuvet.
What are the most popular tourist activities in North Charleston?
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 North Charleston involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Boating, Outlet Shopping, and Antiquing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Boating
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Outlet Shopping
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Antiquing
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Health Spa
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Golfing
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Sailing
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Kayaking
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Surfing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in North Charleston, including Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal, Charleston City Market, College of Charleston, Patriots Point, and Waterfront Park. 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.
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Regional Landmark
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Medical University of South Carolina
Included on 55% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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South Carolina Aquarium
Included on 55% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Included on 55% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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College of Charleston
Included on 55% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Citadel
Included on 55% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Charleston City Market
Included on 54% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Port of Charleston Cruise Terminal
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Patriots Point
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Waterfront Park
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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USS Yorktown
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Charleston Harbor Marina
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Charleston City Marina
Included on 52% of listings
What’s the weather like in North Charleston, 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 59°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 42 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 North Charleston 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
44° Low 61° High
Spring
March through May
58° Low 75° High
Summer
June through August
75° Low 88° High
Fall
September through November
61° Low 75° High
Cities Near North Charleston
North Charleston, South Carolina, is located in Dorchester County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
