Short-Term Rental Permits

New Short-Term Rental Regulations will go into effect on May 1, 2025
​
Informational highlights for the new STR Regulations found here.
Summary of Ordinance 2024-06
Renewal Letter for Short Term Rentals – Includes instructions and information about the renewal process for 2025/26

STR Permit Application (Class A) – Application Package – all forms
STR Permit Application (Class A) – Form A – application only
STR Permit Application (Class A) – Form A-1 – SIPOA Acknowledgement
STR Permit Application (Class A) – Form A-2 – Regime/HOA Acknowledgement
STR Permit Application (Class A) – Form A-3 – Authorized Agent Acknowledgement
STR Permit Application (Class A) – Form A-4 – Qualified Local Contact Acknowledgement

The Town will begin processing business license and STR Permit “renewals” for the 2025-26 license year on March 31st. Business Licenses which are not received by April 30th are subject to a late of penalty of five percent (5%) per month in addition to the standard license amount. STR Permit Application packets which are not received by April 30th, will not be considered exempt, and will be considered “new.” If any applicable caps have been reached, these new applications would be subject to those restrictions. Business License and STR Permit Application packets must be received completed and all together in one submission.
A new online licensing and permitting system will be available on March 31st.   The Town’s website will be updated for the 2025-26 license year on March 31st. 

Provisional STR Permit Applications – For properties under construction or major renovation as of April 30, 2025. Allows an owner to apply for a Standard STR Permit (Class A) with a one-time exemption form permit caps. Provisional License and STR Permit Application packets must be received completed and all together in one submission no later than April 30, 2025.

STR Permit Application (Class B) – Application Package – all forms
STR Permit Application (Class B) – Form B – application only
STR Permit Application (Class B) – Form B-1 – SIPOA Acknowledgement
STR Permit Application (Class B) – Form B-2 – Regime/HOA Acknowledgement
 
*Please Note: All information below this pink box refers to the current license year 2024/25.
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. 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, unless paying by credit card.

Each permit year runs from May 1st to April 30th. Renewal applications must be received no later than April 30th for each subsequent year. 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 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 [email protected]

Permit Fees

Effective January 1, 2023
  • New Permit: $450.00
  • Permit Renewal: $450.00
  • Permit Modification (Owner/Agent/Contact): $25.00
  • Permit Modification (All Other Changes): $100.00
  • Reinstatement of Suspended Permit: $225.00
  • Late Penalty in Addition to Permit Fee:
    • 31 Days or Less Late = $150.00
    • 32-61 Days Late = $300.00
    • Over 61 Days Late = $450.00

Contact

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