Jurisdiction check: This guide covers properties inside the City of Myrtle Beach, not the broader Grand Strand. North Myrtle Beach has its own city government and licensing framework; see
/rental-regulations/north-myrtle-beach-sc. Surfside Beach is a separate municipality; see/rental-regulations/surfside-beach-sc. Unincorporated Horry County uses county rules; see/rental-regulations/horry-county-sc. The City of Myrtle Beach says zoning, not branding or mailing address, determines whether a property can be used for short-term rentals under the city’s Planning & Zoning guidance.
Legality Verdict
Legality Grade: D. Myrtle Beach is legal only if the parcel is already in an STR-eligible zone, and the city says most traditional residential neighborhoods are not zoned for rentals of fewer than 90 days under its Planning & Zoning guidance. Investors should underwrite this as a restricted-zoning market, not a generally permissive beach market.
TL;DR
The City of Myrtle Beach treats rentals of fewer than 90 consecutive days as short-term rentals, matching South Carolina’s accommodations-tax threshold for lodging rented to guests for less than 90 days in the SCDOR accommodations guidance. Operators need a City business license because Myrtle Beach requires business licenses for rental property owners through the Business License Division. The effective lodging stack is about 13% before cleaning-fee and platform-specific treatment: 10% state-administered accommodations tax in Myrtle Beach on SCDOR ST-575, plus 0.5% city local accommodations tax, 1% city hospitality fee, and 1.5% Horry County hospitality fee under the city’s July 2021 tax reset notice. Biggest gotcha: residential zones beginning with “R” are off-limits except RMV under city zoning guidance.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Rental of sleeping accommodations for fewer than 90 consecutive days under South Carolina’s SCDOR accommodations guidance and the city’s STR zoning guidance for rentals under 90 days in Myrtle Beach Planning & Zoning. |
| Registration Required (Y/N) | Yes. Rental property owners need a City business license under the Business License Division. |
| Permit Cost | Not specified as a flat STR permit in the city’s public STR guidance; the public business-license materials state that rental properties require a license, and fee verification should be made with the Business License Division at 843-918-1200. |
| Annual Renewal | Business license renewals are due April 30 under the city Business License Division. |
| Late Penalty | 5% of the license fee for each month or fraction of a month after May 1, according to the city Business License Division. |
| State Sales Tax | 5% state sales tax on accommodations under SCDOR accommodations guidance; the general statewide sales-and-use tax rate is 6% under SCDOR sales-tax guidance, but accommodations are shown by SCDOR as 5% sales tax plus 2% accommodations tax. |
| State Accommodations Tax | 2% state accommodations tax under SCDOR accommodations guidance. |
| SCDOR Local Sales Taxes | Myrtle Beach’s SCDOR-administered accommodations rate is 10%, with Horry ECI, Horry transportation tax, and Myrtle Beach tourism development tax shown on SCDOR ST-575. |
| Local Accommodations Tax | 0.5% city local accommodations tax under the city’s July 2021 tax reset notice. |
| City Hospitality Fee | 1% city hospitality fee on accommodations and short-term rentals under the city’s July 2021 tax reset notice. |
| County/District Tax | 1.5% Horry County hospitality fee on transient accommodations inside Myrtle Beach, shown in the Horry County accommodations reporting form and discussed in the city’s July 2021 tax reset notice. |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | About 13.0%: 10% SCDOR-administered accommodations rate for Myrtle Beach plus 0.5% city local accommodations tax, 1% city hospitality fee, and 1.5% Horry County hospitality fee based on SCDOR ST-575, the city tax reset notice, and the Horry County accommodations reporting form. |
| Occupancy Cap | Not specified citywide in the city’s public STR zoning guidance; verify building, fire, HOA, and unit-specific limits with the City before acquisition through Planning & Zoning. |
| Parking Requirement | No STR-specific parking formula is stated in the city’s public STR zoning guidance; parcel zoning and building rules still apply under Planning & Zoning. |
| Primary Regulator | City Planning & Zoning for parcel eligibility and the Business License Division for licensing, according to Planning & Zoning and the Business License Division. |
| License Cap | No numeric permit cap is stated in the city’s public STR guidance, but zoning functions as the cap because the city says properties not already zoned for STR use cannot be converted or approved for it under Planning & Zoning. |
| Permitted Zones | STR-eligible zones shown by the City zoning map, including RMV and non-R zoning districts where visitor accommodations are allowed, should be verified parcel-by-parcel with Planning & Zoning. |
| Prohibited Zones | Zoning districts that begin with “R” do not allow short-term rentals except RMV, according to Planning & Zoning. |
| Grandfathered Properties | The city reports only 24 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered for short-term rentals under its Planning & Zoning guidance. |
| HOA/Condo Override | City zoning eligibility does not eliminate private condo or HOA restrictions; South Carolina’s Horizontal Property Act framework recognizes recorded master deeds and bylaws for condominium regimes through the state Horizontal Property Act. |
| Enforcement Penalties | Zoning violations are misdemeanors subject to fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days per occurrence upon conviction under city Planning & Zoning guidance. |
| Conversion Overlay | Ordinance 2024-69 prohibits qualifying STR-built buildings with more than two units east of Kings Highway and the Atlantic Ocean from converting short-term rental use to long-term rental use under Ordinance 2024-69. |
| Last Updated | May 12, 2026. |
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Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Zoning is the binding constraint, not the license fee. , but those revenue assumptions only matter after the parcel clears the City’s zoning screen. The city states that properties not already in a zone allowing short-term rentals cannot be converted or approved for that use under Planning & Zoning. The 13% lodging stack and business-license process may push into operating expenses, but they rarely kill the deal by themselves. The deal killer is buying a non-RMV residential parcel that looks rentable online but cannot legally operate. Treat STR-eligible zoning, condo documents, and tax-account setup as acquisition contingencies, not post-close housekeeping. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
Are short-term rentals legal in Myrtle Beach, SC?
Yes, but only in eligible zones. The city says most traditional residential neighborhoods are not zoned for rentals under 90 days, and R-prefix districts do not allow STRs except RMV under Planning & Zoning.
What counts as a short-term rental in Myrtle Beach?
The city describes short-term rental use as rentals of fewer than 90 days, and SCDOR applies accommodations tax to sleeping accommodations rented for less than 90 consecutive days under SCDOR accommodations guidance.
Is Myrtle Beach the same as North Myrtle Beach or Surfside Beach?
No. This guide covers only City of Myrtle Beach properties. North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and unincorporated Horry County have separate local governments, while Myrtle Beach’s rules are administered through city Planning & Zoning and Business Licensing.
Can I turn a normal single-family house into an Airbnb?
Usually no. The city says properties not already in a zone allowing short-term rentals cannot be converted or approved for that use, and R-prefix residential zones are prohibited except RMV under Planning & Zoning.
How many grandfathered houses exist in residential Myrtle Beach?
The city says only 24 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered for short-term rentals because they were consistently used that way before current zoning under Planning & Zoning.
Licensing
Do I need a Myrtle Beach business license?
Yes. The city says all rental property owners need a business license, and the city’s rental-property FAQ states that all types of rental properties require a license under the Business License FAQ PDF.
Can I get the license before checking zoning?
You should not rely on a license application before zoning confirmation. The city says if zoning does not allow short-term rental use, the property cannot be used that way; if zoning does allow it, a business license is required under Planning & Zoning.
How much does the Myrtle Beach STR license cost?
The city’s public STR guidance does not publish a flat STR permit fee. Treat the fee as a business-license item that needs property-specific verification with the Business License Division.
When is the business license renewal due?
Myrtle Beach business license renewals are due April 30, and renewals received or postmarked May 1 or later are late under the Business License Division.
What happens if I renew late?
The city assesses a 5% penalty of the license fee for each month or fraction of a month until the fee and penalty are paid under the Business License Division.
Taxes
What lodging taxes apply in Myrtle Beach?
The stack is about 13%: 10% SCDOR-administered accommodations rate for Myrtle Beach on ST-575, plus 0.5% city local accommodations tax, 1% city hospitality fee, and 1.5% Horry County hospitality fee under city and county forms.
Does South Carolina require a retail license?
If you directly book short-term rentals, SCDOR says you must have a Retail License to file and pay accommodations tax; if all bookings are through a property management or online travel company taking payment, SCDOR says that company is responsible under SCDOR accommodations guidance.
Does Airbnb collect every tax for me?
Do not assume that every local fee is covered. SCDOR says online travel companies can be responsible for state accommodations tax when they reserve rooms and accept payment, but the city and county also require local filings under SCDOR accommodations guidance and the city tax reset notice.
When are state accommodations taxes filed?
SCDOR requires accommodations taxpayers to file and pay electronically, and SCDOR’s sales-tax calendar shows monthly returns due on the 20th day after the period closes under SCDOR sales-tax guidance.
Operations
Are condos safer than houses from a zoning perspective?
Often, but not automatically. Many oceanfront condo buildings sit in commercial or visitor-accommodation areas, but city eligibility still depends on parcel zoning, and private master deeds or bylaws can restrict rental use under Planning & Zoning and South Carolina’s Horizontal Property Act.
Can a hotel-style STR building convert units to 90-day-plus leases?
Not in the conversion overlay. Ordinance 2024-69 prohibits buildings with more than two units east of Kings Highway and the Atlantic Ocean that were constructed or used for visitor accommodations from converting STR use to leases of 90 continuous days or more under Ordinance 2024-69.
Is there a citywide occupancy cap?
The city’s public STR zoning guidance does not specify a citywide STR occupancy cap. Investors should verify building, fire, and HOA limits with city Planning & Zoning before closing.
Can an HOA or condo association ban STRs even if the city allows them?
Yes, private governing documents can be stricter than city zoning. South Carolina’s Horizontal Property Act framework describes master deeds and bylaws for condominium regimes in the state Horizontal Property Act.
Enforcement
What are the penalties for illegal STR use?
The city states that zoning violations are misdemeanors subject to fines up to $500 and/or 30 days per occurrence upon conviction under Planning & Zoning.
Is Myrtle Beach actively monitoring platforms and taxes?
Yes. City Council considered a 2025 Airbnb settlement tied to unpaid business-license fees, accommodations taxes, and hospitality fees, according to Resolution 2025-04.
What 2026 state legislation should investors monitor?
H.3876 would clarify who collects and remits accommodations taxes and local fees in platform bookings, and the Senate Finance version was updated May 5, 2026 on the South Carolina Legislature page.
Permit Process
The first step is zoning diligence, not licensing. Before submitting an offer, confirm the parcel is inside the City of Myrtle Beach rather than North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, or unincorporated Horry County, then verify the zoning district with the City’s Planning & Zoning Division because Myrtle Beach says properties not already in a zone allowing short-term rentals cannot be converted or approved for that use under Planning & Zoning. After zoning clears, request the condo declaration, master deed, bylaws, rental rules, and management agreement because South Carolina’s condominium framework centers on recorded master deeds and bylaws under the Horizontal Property Act. Before the first booking, apply for the City business license because Myrtle Beach says rental property owners must have one through the Business License Division. Then set up the state and local tax workflow: SCDOR requires a Retail License for direct bookings under SCDOR accommodations guidance, while Myrtle Beach and Horry County require remittance of city and county hospitality/accommodations charges under the city tax reset notice and the Horry County accommodations form.
Zoning
Myrtle Beach’s zoning rule is blunt: most residential land is not STR land. The city states that unless a property is zoned for rentals of fewer than 90 days, the owner cannot use it for short-term rentals, and if the property is not already in a zone allowing STR use, it cannot be converted or approved for that use under the city’s Planning & Zoning guidance. The key parcel-level screen is the zoning prefix: the city says zoning districts beginning with “R” do not allow short-term rentals, except RMV, the Residential Multifamily Visitor zone, under the same Planning & Zoning guidance. That means a standard residential house west of the visitor-accommodation corridor can be economically attractive and still fail at entitlement. The city also reports that only 24 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered for STR use under Planning & Zoning. For investors, the binding diligence item is not a pro forma revenue estimate; it is a zoning confirmation from the city before earnest money goes hard.
Taxes and Remittance
The lodging tax stack is roughly 13% before platform and channel variance. SCDOR lists Myrtle Beach’s accommodations total tax rate at 10% in ST-575, reflecting state accommodations taxation and SCDOR-administered local sales taxes. On top of that, the City of Myrtle Beach’s July 2021 tax reset notice says accommodations and short-term rental providers collect 0.5% local accommodations tax and 1% city hospitality fee under the city tax reset notice. Horry County’s accommodations reporting form applies a 1.5% hospitality fee to transient accommodations inside Myrtle Beach under the Horry County accommodations form. SCDOR says owners who book directly must have a Retail License and collect/pay accommodations tax, while owners who rent exclusively through a property management or online travel company that reserves rooms and accepts payment generally do not need a Retail License because that company is responsible for remitting the tax under SCDOR accommodations guidance. The investor risk is platform-tax complacency: direct bookings, management-company bookings, and marketplace bookings can create different filing obligations.
Enforcement and Recent Actions
Myrtle Beach enforces through zoning, business licensing, and tax collection rather than a simple STR registry cap. The city says zoning violations are misdemeanors with fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days per occurrence upon conviction under Planning & Zoning, and the Business License Division publishes renewal deadlines and penalties for late licenses through the Business License Division. The strongest recent signal is tax enforcement against platforms: on February 11, 2025, City Council listed Resolution 2025-04 authorizing execution of a consent settlement agreement with Airbnb on its agenda through the city Council documents page, and the resolution materials describe claims by Myrtle Beach and other jurisdictions seeking unpaid business-license fees, accommodations taxes, and hospitality fees in Resolution 2025-04. The city also used economic-impact data in Ordinance 2024-69, citing an estimated $2.48 million city revenue loss for every 1,000 STR units converted to long-term rentals under Ordinance 2024-69.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
The most important forward risk is state-level tax and platform-remittance legislation, not a new citywide STR cap. On May 5, 2026, South Carolina H.3876 was printed from Senate Finance with provisions addressing accommodations intermediaries, merchant-of-record designation, annual reporting, and collection of state and local accommodations taxes and fees under the South Carolina Legislature page. On February 11, 2025, Myrtle Beach City Council included Resolution 2025-04 authorizing execution of a consent settlement agreement with Airbnb on the city Council agenda. On January 30, 2025, H.3861 was introduced to preempt local governments from prohibiting residential short-term rentals, but it was referred to committee with no subsequent action shown on the South Carolina Legislature page. On December 10, 2024, Ordinance 2024-69 received second reading and created the short-term rental conversion overlay east of Kings Highway under Ordinance 2024-69. Monitor H.3876 for platform reporting and local-fee collection changes through the rest of 2026.
Comparable Markets
- North Myrtle Beach, SC — Consider if you want a separate Grand Strand jurisdiction with its own business-license and zoning framework:
/rental-regulations/north-myrtle-beach-sc. - Surfside Beach, SC — Consider if you want a smaller municipality south of Myrtle Beach where town-level rules and HOA restrictions may matter more than citywide zoning:
/rental-regulations/surfside-beach-sc. - Horry County, SC — Consider if the property is outside city limits and you want county-level rules rather than City of Myrtle Beach zoning:
/rental-regulations/horry-county-sc. - Hilton Head Island, SC — Consider if you prefer a mature South Carolina vacation-rental market with a different permit and neighborhood-governance profile:
/rental-regulations/hilton-head-island-sc.
Sources
- City of Myrtle Beach Planning & Zoning Department — https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/departments/planning_and_zoning_department.php
- City of Myrtle Beach Business License Division — https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/departments/business_license_division.php
- City of Myrtle Beach, Business License FAQ PDF — https://cms6.revize.com/revize/myrtlebeachsc/departments/docs/How to Apply for a Business License %26 FAQs.pdf
- City of Myrtle Beach, Hospitality Tax, Local Accommodations Tax, and Hospitality Fee Changes — https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/news_detail_T6_R1354.php
- City of Myrtle Beach, Monthly Hospitality & Local Accommodations Tax Reporting Form — https://cms6.revize.com/revize/myrtlebeachsc/Monthly Hospitality %26 Local Accommodations Tax Reporting Form (Effective 7-1-2021).pdf
- Horry County Hospitality Fee — https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/treasurer/hospitality-fee/
- Horry County Hospitality Fee / Local Accommodations Tax Reporting Form — https://www.horrycountysc.gov/media/vhgfoip4/accommodations-form.pdf
- South Carolina Department of Revenue, Accommodations — https://dor.sc.gov/sales-use-tax-index/accommodations
- South Carolina Department of Revenue, Sales Tax — https://dor.sc.gov/sales-use-tax-index/sales-tax
- South Carolina Department of Revenue, ST-575 Sales Tax Rate by Municipality — https://dor.sc.gov/sites/dor/files/forms/ST575.pdf
- South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, Horizontal Property Act overview — https://consumer.sc.gov/sites/consumer/files/Documents/HOA/HOA_Horizontal_Property_Act.pdf
- City of Myrtle Beach Ordinance 2024-69, Short-Term Rental Conversion Overlay Zone — https://cms6.revize.com/revize/myrtlebeachsc/07. 2024-069 Conversion Overlay_Short Term Rentals (2nd).pdf
- City of Myrtle Beach Council Documents, February 11, 2025 — https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/agenda_details_T15_R398.php
- City of Myrtle Beach Resolution 2025-04, Airbnb settlement — https://cms6.revize.com/revize/myrtlebeachsc/07. R2025-04 Consent Settlement Agreement – Airbnb.pdf
- South Carolina General Assembly, H.3876 accommodations bill — https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3876.htm
- South Carolina General Assembly, H.3861 short-term rentals bill — https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3861.htm
- WPDE, Myrtle Beach City Council passes zoning overlay — https://wpde.com/news/local/overlay-long-term-rentals-short-term-rentals-myrtle-beach-city-council-kings-highway-atlantic-ocean-conversions-city-tax-money-city-accomodations-losing-money-constructedƒ
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in City of Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina.
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