This guide covers Myrtle Beach, South Carolina only. Neighboring markets have separate STR rules and are often confused with Myrtle Beach:
- North Myrtle Beach: Separate city with its own STR licensing and zoning rules.
- Surfside Beach: Small beach town south of Myrtle Beach, with distinct STR ordinances and enforcement.
- Garden City: Unincorporated area with Horry County rules, not city of Myrtle Beach law.
- Conway: Inland city, Horry County seat, with different STR regulations.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in Myrtle Beach, but only in specific commercial and visitor-accommodation zones. A city business license is required, and the total tax burden is significant. Most residential neighborhoods prohibit STRs.
- Legality Status: 2/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 3/5
- Regulatory Stability: 4/5
- Enforcement Climate: 2/5
TL;DR
Myrtle Beach defines STRs as rentals under 90 days and requires a city business license (fee based on gross receipts). The total tax burden is 11% (state and local). STRs are banned in most residential zones; only certain commercial and visitor-accommodation districts allow them. The main investor risk is strict zoning enforcement and misdemeanor penalties for violations. The biggest gotcha: most single-family homes are ineligible for STR licensing.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Rental of any unit for less than 90 days; classified as "visitor accommodation" City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Registration Required | Yes — City of Myrtle Beach business license City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Permit Cost | Gross receipts-based; contact city for current rate [needs verification — call Business License Division at (843) 918-1200 or see city site] |
| Annual Renewal | Yes — renewal fee based on gross receipts STR Regulations (2026) |
| Late Penalty | 5% monthly penalty on renewals submitted May 1 or later STR Regulations (2026) |
| State Sales Tax | 5% South Carolina Department of Revenue |
| State Accommodations Tax | 2% South Carolina Department of Revenue |
| Local Accommodations Tax | 3% City of Myrtle Beach |
| City Hospitality Fee | 1% City of Myrtle Beach |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 11% (5% state sales, 2% state accommodations, 3% local accommodations, 1% hospitality) City of Myrtle Beach |
| Permit Cap | No cap STR Regulations (2026) |
| Permitted Zones | RMV, A, E, C6, HC1, HC2, MU-H (by right); IR (special exception) City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Prohibited Zones | Most single-family and multi-family residential districts (R5, R7, R8, R10, R15, RMM, RMH, RMH-MH, MU-M) City of Myrtle Beach Planning & Zoning Department |
| Occupancy Cap | Not codified — no explicit city rule identified in sources reviewed City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Parking Requirement | Not codified — no explicit city rule identified in sources reviewed City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Inspection Requirement | Not codified — no explicit city rule identified in sources reviewed City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Density Limits | Not codified — no explicit city rule identified in sources reviewed City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances |
| Primary Residence Requirement | No — non-owner-occupied STRs allowed if zoning permits STR Regulations (2026) |
| HOA/Condo Override | Yes — private covenants may restrict STRs even if city zoning allows STR Regulations (2026) |
| Transferability | Not transferable — new owners must obtain their own license Meliora Properties Group |
| Enforcement Penalties | Up to $500 and/or 30 days per violation City of Myrtle Beach official site |
| Insurance Requirement | $1 million commercial general liability (state law) Home Team Luxury Rentals |
| Primary Regulator | City of Myrtle Beach Business License Division (843) 918-1200 |
| Last Updated | August 4, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Myrtle Beach’s STR regime is defined by strict zoning: only properties in designated commercial and visitor-accommodation districts are eligible for licensing. The business license fee is based on gross receipts, and the total tax stack is 11%. State law requires $1 million in liability insurance. Underwriters should model compliance costs at 10.9% of gross revenue, with median Myrtle Beach STRs earning $39,150 at an average daily rate of $197 and 42% occupancy. The binding constraint is zoning: most single-family homes are ineligible. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is considered a short-term rental in Myrtle Beach?
A short-term rental is any unit rented for less than 90 consecutive days, classified as a "visitor accommodation" under city code City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances.
Are short-term rentals legal in Myrtle Beach?
Yes, but only in specific zoning districts. Most traditional residential neighborhoods prohibit STRs Meliora Properties Group.
Does Myrtle Beach have a moratorium or ban on STRs?
No citywide ban, but STRs are banned in most residential zones City of Myrtle Beach Planning & Zoning Department.
Licensing
Is a business license required for STRs in Myrtle Beach?
Yes, a City of Myrtle Beach business license is mandatory before renting City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances.
How much does the STR business license cost?
The fee is based on gross receipts; contact the Business License Division for current rates [needs verification — call (843) 918-1200 or see city site].
Is there a cap on the number of STR licenses?
No, there is no cap on STR business licenses STR Regulations (2026).
Are STR licenses transferable to new owners?
No, new owners must apply for their own license Meliora Properties Group.
Taxes
What taxes apply to STRs in Myrtle Beach?
STRs are subject to 5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, 3% city local accommodations tax, and 1% city hospitality fee City of Myrtle Beach.
Does Airbnb collect all required taxes?
Airbnb collects state sales and accommodations taxes, but hosts must remit city taxes directly Airbnb Help Center.
Do I need a South Carolina Retail License?
Yes, for each STR location, if you book rentals directly South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Operations
Are there minimum or maximum stay requirements?
Each stay must be less than 90 days; no minimum stay is codified STR Regulations (2026).
Is there a maximum occupancy or parking requirement?
Not codified — no explicit city rule identified in sources reviewed City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances.
Do I have to be an owner-occupant?
No, non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed if zoning permits STR Regulations (2026).
Can HOAs or condos prohibit STRs?
Yes, private covenants may restrict STRs even if city zoning allows them STR Regulations (2026).
Enforcement
What are the penalties for illegal STR operation?
Up to $500 and/or 30 days per violation; violations are misdemeanors City of Myrtle Beach official site.
How does Myrtle Beach enforce STR rules?
Enforcement is proactive, with misdemeanor charges and fines for zoning or licensing violations STR Regulations (2026).
Is insurance required for STRs?
Yes, state law requires $1 million in commercial general liability coverage Home Team Luxury Rentals.
Have there been recent regulatory changes?
No major amendments or new ordinances reported between 2024 and 2026 STR Regulations (2026).
Permit Process
All Myrtle Beach STRs must obtain a city business license before renting. The application is handled by the Business License Division, and the fee is based on gross receipts. Renewal is annual, with a 5% monthly penalty for late renewals submitted after May 1 City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances.
The license is not transferable; new owners must apply for their own. The mail-in process may take up to two weeks. There is no cap on the number of licenses issued STR Regulations (2026).
Zoning
STRs are only permitted in specific Myrtle Beach zoning districts: RMV, A, E, C6, HC1, HC2, and MU-H by right, and IR by special exception. Most single-family and multi-family residential zones prohibit STRs, with only 24 grandfathered houses city-wide City of Myrtle Beach Planning & Zoning Department.
The city does not override HOA or condo restrictions, so private covenants may further limit STR eligibility STR Regulations (2026).
Taxes and Remittance
Myrtle Beach STRs are subject to a total tax burden of 11%: 5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, 3% city local accommodations tax, and 1% city hospitality fee. Airbnb collects state taxes, but hosts must remit city taxes directly City of Myrtle Beach.
A South Carolina Retail License is required for each STR location if you book directly. Compliance with all tax remittance rules is mandatory South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Enforcement and Recent Actions
Myrtle Beach enforces STR rules proactively, with misdemeanor charges and fines up to $500 and/or 30 days per violation. Late business license renewals incur a 5% monthly penalty. There is no separate fine schedule for STRs; general city penalties apply City of Myrtle Beach official site.
State law requires $1 million in commercial general liability insurance for all STRs Home Team Luxury Rentals.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
No major amendments or new STR ordinances have been reported in Myrtle Beach between 2024 and 2026. South Carolina state law preempts local bans but allows regulation and taxation. No pending or recently vetoed STR bills specific to Myrtle Beach are reported as of August 2026 STR Regulations (2026).
Comparable Markets
- North Myrtle Beach, SC — Consider if you want a separate city with its own STR rules and more residential eligibility.
- Charleston, SC — Consider for a historic market with strict primary residence rules.
- Hilton Head Island, SC — Consider for a resort market with robust STR demand and layered local rules.
Sources
- City of Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances: https://library.municode.com/sc/myrtle_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH11LIMIBURE_ARTIIBULI
- City of Myrtle Beach (Hospitality & Local Accommodations Tax Reporting Form): https://cms6.revize.com/revize/myrtlebeachsc/Fillable%20Hospitality%20&%20Local%20Atax%20Reporting%20Form%20(eff%207.1.19).pdf
- 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 official site: https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/news_detail_T6_R1468.php
- South Carolina Department of Revenue: https://dor.sc.gov/sales-use-tax-index/accommodations
- STR Regulations (2026): https://strcityregs.com/south-carolina/myrtle-beach
- Meliora Properties Group — Myrtle Beach STR Rules: https://melioraproperties.group/myrtle-beach-str-rules.html
- Home Team Luxury Rentals – South Carolina Airbnb Laws: https://hometeamluxuryrentals.com/blog/south-carolina-airbnb-laws
- Airbnb Help Center: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2328
- Carolina Crafted Homes: https://www.carolinacraftedhomes.com/blog/can-you-airbnb-in-myrtle-beach-zoning-2026
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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