Short-Term Rental Permits

On December 15, 2020, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Ordinance 2020-14, 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 an annual business license, all rental units operating in the town must apply for and obtain an annual Short-Term Rental Permit beginning on January 1, 2021. Each unit shall be required to have a separate permit. Short-Term Rental Permit applications must be submitted with the annual business license application. Please include your payment (cash or check only) with your application forms.

Rental units with a valid business license as of December 31, 2020, will have until March 31st to apply for and obtain a permit for the 2021 calendar year. All other 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 2020-14 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 jcronin@townofseabrookisland.org.

Permit Fees

New Permit: $250.00
Permit Renewal: $250.00
Permit Modification (Owner/Agent/Contact): $25.00
Permit Modification (All Other Changes): $100.00
Reinstatement of Suspended Permit: $125.00
Late Application Fee: Add $100.00 to Permit Fee

Forms

Short-Term Rental Permit Application
Business License Application

More Information

Short-Term Rental Ordinance (2020-14)
Business Licenses

Resources for Guests

Short-Term Rental Info Packet

Contact

Joe Cronin
Town Administrator
(843) 768-9121
jcronin@townofseabrookisland.org