Short-Term Rental Permits

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

Beginning March 2, 2026, the Town will no longer be providing paper applications for Business Licenses and New Short-Term Rental Permits.  These applications must be made online via the Town’s Licensing and Permit portal Citizenserve. After your application is approved, you will have the option to pay online via credit card, or you can pay in person with check, card, or cash. Please email [email protected] with any questions. 

Keep in mind: Any STR Permit Modification still needs to be made with the PDF forms in the blue box below.

Short-Term Rental Permits (Current as of February 9, 2026)
Inside STR Overlay District
  • Permit Cap: 557
  • Permits Issued: 503
  • Permits Available: 54
  • Applications on Waitlist: 0
Outside STR Overlay District
  • Permit Cap: 110
  • Permits Issued: 106
  • Permits Available: 4
  • Applications on Waitlist: 0
On December 17, 2024, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Ordinance 2024-06, which established new permitting and operating requirements for the following types of businesses:
  • Short-Term Rental Units. A short-term rental unit is defined as residential dwelling that is rented or leased, or offered for rent or lease, as an overnight accommodation for periods of less than thirty (30) consecutive days at any time during a calendar year. A short-term rental unit is generally used by renters and their guests in a manner that is consistent with the residential character of both the dwelling and the surrounding area. Hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and vacation time-sharing plans are not considered short-term rental units.
  • Vacation Club Units. A vacation club unit is defined as a residential dwelling that is owned, leased or managed by a private membership organization or commercial business entity that is engaged in providing short-term overnight accommodations and related services to its members. Vacation clubs typically own or lease properties on a long-term basis, offer and rent those properties to the club’s members on a short-term basis, and model a membership structure where its members purchase membership levels granting access to a portfolio of properties and personalized services, but does not convey upon its members an ownership interest in the properties. Properties offered by vacation clubs to members for less than thirty (30) consecutive days are considered short-term rental units, regardless of whether the vacation club is the owner of record, lessee or manager of the property. 
In addition to a business license that must be renewed annually, all rental units operating in the town must apply for and obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit. Each unit shall be required to have a separate permit. Short-Term Rental Permit applications must be submitted with the business license application.

Beginning May 1, 2025, each host shall maintain a log of all STR rental stays. No later than April 30th of each year, they shall submit an annual rental activity report for the preceding license year, along with the Business License renewal.

Each license year runs from May 1st to April 30th. Upon issuance, a Standard STR permit shall remain valid indefinitely unless the permit is modified, suspended, revoked, abandoned, or cancelled.

There are now 3 classes of STR permits:
  • Standard (Class A) Permit
  • Provisional (Class B) Permit – For properties under construction or major renovation as of April 30, 2025
  • Temporary (Class C) Permit – for properties that are sold subject to pre-existing rental agreements.

Effective with the license year beginning May 1, 2025, there will be caps on the total number of Standard (Class A) STR permits issued by the town, as follows:
  • Inside STR Overlay District: 557
  • All other areas: 110

A written definition and map of the STR Overlay district can be found in Ordinance 2024-07.

New short-term rental units must apply for and obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit prior to advertising and/or renting the unit.​ Individuals and businesses who are found guilty of failing to comply with the requirements of Ordinance 2024-06 shall be subject to fines of up to $500.00 (plus statutory assessments), imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both, for each violation. Each day a violation continues to exist shall be considered a separate offense. 

For more information, please contact us by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at [email protected]

STR Permit Fees

Effective May 1, 2025
  • STR Permit – Standard (Class A): $150.00
  • STR Permit – Provisional (Class B): $50.00
  • STR Permit – Conversion (from Class B to Class A): $100.00
  • STR Permit – Temporary (Class C): $50.00
  • Modification of existing STR Permit
    • Change of owner, agent, or local contact - $25.00
    • All other Modifications - $50.00
  • Reinstatement of Suspended STR Permit - $50.00

STR Business License Fees

Effective May 1, 2025
  • 9.2A – Standard STR (Class A)
    • Minimum on first $2,000 - $500.00 PLUS
    • Each additional $1,000 - $2.95
  • 9.2B – Provisional STR (Class B)
    • Minimum on first $2,000 - $10.00 PLUS
    • Each additional $1,000 - $2.95
  • 9.2C – Temporary STR (Class C)
    • Minimum on first $2,000 - $150 PLUS
    • Each additional $1,000 - $2.95
​​

Contact

Beth Rinehimer
STR Compliance Manager
(843) 768-9121​
[email protected]
Town of Seabrook Island

2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: (843) 768-9121
​Email: [email protected]

Town Hall Hours:
M-F 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

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