STR Study Information

Short-Term Rental Study

On January 4, 2024, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Resolution 2024-01 establishing a Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals. Members of the committee were appointed by Town Council on January 23, 2024.

The purpose of the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals was to bring together stakeholders from a variety of interests to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town and to recommend, no later than June 30, 2024, a comprehensive set of policy proposals that address a range of topics including, but not limited to, the following:

Limiting the number of short-term rental units operating within the town;
Limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rental units within the town;
The imposition of fair and reasonable fees and taxes related to short-term rental units;
Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life and safety of short-term rental unit occupants;
Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life, safety, and quiet enjoyment of neighboring property owners and the community at large; and
Other fair, reasonable, and enforceable policies related to the operation of short-term rental units within the town.

Between February and June 2024, the committee met 12 times and held 4 public forums. On June 24, 2024, the committee finished its work and reported its final recommendations to Seabrook Island Town Council. In the coming months, Town Council will consider the committee's recommendations and determine which proposals (if any) to implement.

This page is intended to serve as a resource for residents and property owners by providing access to public comment opportunities, background materials, links to meeting information, and project updates in one central location.

Please check back regularly as new information will be posted on this page when it becomes available. If you have any questions about the work of the committee, please feel free to contact Town Hall by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at [email protected].

Public Forums

In an effort to hear from all individuals and groups who wished to comment on short-term rental activities and regulations within the town, the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals conducted a series of public forums on the following dates, times and locations:

Public Forum #1: Wed. February 21, 2024 (1:00 PM) at Seabrook Island Town Hall
Public Forum #2: Thu. February 22, 2024 (5:30 PM) held virtually via Zoom
Public Forum #3: Mon. February 26, 2024 (1:00 PM) at Seabrook Island Town Hall
Public Forum #4: Mon. March 4, 2024 (6:00 PM) at the Lake House

Over the course of the public forums, the committee spent more than 12 hours listening to comments from more than 80 interested persons and groups. No one who wished to speak during the public forums was denied the opportunity.

Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal

In addition to the public forums listed above, the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals accepted written comments via the town's Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal. Individuals were invited to submit public comments regarding any issue or topic related to short-term rental activities within the town. Written comments were accepted until Tues. March 12, 2024, at 12:00 PM.

The committee received approximately 450 written comments through the public comment portal. All comments received through the portal were forwarded to members of the committee for review.

If Town Council elects to proceed with any of the committee's recommendations, the Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal will be re-opened following publication of a draft ordinance and advertisement of a public hearing.

Click Here to Access the STR Public Comment Portal