This guide covers Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and not these commonly confused sibling markets:
- Myrtle Beach: Large, incorporated city just north of Surfside Beach with its own STR rules and licensing.
- North Myrtle Beach: Separate city north of Myrtle Beach, often confused due to similar names and proximity.
- Garden City Beach: Unincorporated area south of Surfside Beach, governed by Horry or Georgetown County, not a municipality.
- Murrells Inlet: Unincorporated community south of Garden City Beach, with different county-level rules.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in Surfside Beach, SC, with a required annual business license and layered state, county, and local taxes. No cap or moratorium is in effect, but compliance with all local codes is mandatory.
- Legality Status: 4/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 3/5
- Regulatory Stability: 4/5
- Enforcement Climate: 4/5
TL;DR
Surfside Beach defines STRs as any real estate rental under 90 days and requires an annual business license before operating. The total effective lodging tax is 7.5% (2% state accommodations, 0.5% local, 1.5% county, 1% town hospitality, plus 5% state sales tax). Key operational rules include occupancy and parking minimums. The biggest gotcha: Airbnb does not collect or remit the town’s 1% hospitality or 0.5% local accommodation taxes—hosts must file these directly or risk penalties.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Any real estate rental for less than 90 consecutive days ([Business Licensing |
| Registration Required | Yes, annual business license ([Business Licensing |
| Permit Cost | needs verification — call Business Licensing Office at (843) 913-6342 or see official site |
| Annual Renewal | Yes, due by April 30 each year ([Business Licensing |
| STR Permit Cap | Not codified — no cap or quota in city code (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library) |
| Permit Transferability | Not codified — no transferability rule in city code (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library) |
| State Sales Tax | 5% (South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations) |
| State Accommodations Tax | 2% (South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations) |
| Local Accommodations Tax | 0.5% (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ on Hospitality and Accommodations Tax) |
| County Hospitality Fee | 1.5% (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ on Hospitality and Accommodations Tax) |
| Town Hospitality Fee | 1% (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ on Hospitality and Accommodations Tax) |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 7.5% (accommodations + hospitality taxes; sales tax is additional) (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ on Hospitality and Accommodations Tax) |
| Airbnb Tax Collection | Airbnb collects state taxes, but not Surfside Beach’s 1% hospitality or 0.5% local accommodation taxes (Airbnb Help Center) |
| Minimum Night Stay | Not codified — no minimum in city code (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library) |
| Occupancy Cap | 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, excluding minors (RedAwning) |
| Parking Requirement | At least 2 guest parking spaces (RedAwning) |
| Local Contact Requirement | Yes, emergency contact must be available at all times (RedAwning) |
| Inspection Requirement | May require safety inspection with 24-hour notice (RedAwning) |
| HOA/Condo Override | Not codified — private covenants may apply (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library) |
| Primary Residence Rule | Not codified — no owner-occupancy requirement (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library) |
| Enforcement Penalties | Not codified — state penalties for tax noncompliance apply (South Carolina Code of Laws) |
| Last Updated | August 11, 2025 (city code); May 21, 2026 (this guide) (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library) |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Surfside Beach’s layered tax stack and annual business license requirement directly impact STR cash flow and compliance workload. The binding constraint for investors is the need to file and remit local hospitality and accommodations taxes directly to the Town, as platforms like Airbnb do not handle these. Failure to comply can result in state-level penalties. Zoning and operational rules are enforced by the town’s ICC-certified staff, and occupancy/parking limits are strictly applied. Investors should budget for annual license renewal and ensure all local taxes are filed monthly. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is considered a short-term rental in Surfside Beach, SC?
Any real estate rental for less than 90 consecutive days is considered a short-term rental (Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC).
Are short-term rentals legal in Surfside Beach?
Yes, STRs are legal with an annual business license and compliance with all local codes (Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC).
Does Surfside Beach have a cap on STR licenses?
No, there is no codified cap or quota on STR licenses (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library).
Licensing
Is a business license required for Airbnb or vacation rentals?
Yes, all STRs must obtain a Town of Surfside Beach business license before operating (Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC).
How long does it take to get a business license?
Processing typically takes 7–10 business days after application (Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC).
When are license renewals due?
Annual renewals are due by April 30 each year (Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC).
What is the cost of a Surfside Beach STR license?
needs verification — call Business Licensing Office at (843) 913-6342 or see official site
Taxes
What taxes apply to Surfside Beach short-term rentals?
STRs are subject to 5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, 1.5% county hospitality fee, 1% town hospitality fee, and 0.5% local accommodations tax (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ).
Does Airbnb collect all required taxes?
No, Airbnb only collects state taxes. Hosts must remit the 1% town hospitality and 0.5% local accommodations taxes directly (Airbnb Help Center).
How often must local taxes be remitted?
Monthly, for all stays under 90 days (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ).
Is a state retail license required?
Yes, a South Carolina Retail License is required for each STR location (South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations).
Operations
Are there occupancy limits for STRs?
Yes, maximum occupancy is two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, excluding minors (RedAwning).
Is a local contact required?
Yes, an emergency contact must be available at all times (RedAwning).
Are safety inspections required?
Properties may require safety inspections with 24-hour notice (RedAwning).
Are there parking requirements?
Yes, at least two guest parking spaces are required (RedAwning).
Do HOA or condo rules override town STR rules?
The town does not codify HOA/condo restrictions; private covenants may apply (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library).
Enforcement
What are the penalties for noncompliance?
If not separately codified by the town, state penalties apply: up to $500 fine or 30 days in jail per offense (South Carolina Code of Laws).
Does Surfside Beach use platform monitoring for enforcement?
No public record of proactive platform monitoring or patrols as of May 2026 (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library).
How is STR enforcement handled?
Enforcement is complaint-driven and handled by the town’s Planning, Building & Zoning Department (Planning, Building & Zoning | Surfside Beach, SC).
Permit Process
All short-term rental operators in Surfside Beach must obtain a business license from the Town before listing or renting their property. The application process is straightforward: submit the required forms and documentation to the Business License Office, either in person or online. Processing typically takes 7–10 business days, and licenses must be renewed annually by April 30. There is no codified cap on the number of STR licenses, and transferability is not addressed in the town code. The license fee amount is not published in available sources and should be confirmed directly with the Business Licensing Office. In addition to the town license, operators must register for a South Carolina Retail License and ensure compliance with state-level tax registration requirements. Failure to obtain the necessary licenses before operating can result in fines or other penalties, with enforcement handled by the town’s staff (Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC; South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations).
Zoning
Surfside Beach enforces all zoning and operational rules through its Planning, Building & Zoning Department, which is fully ICC-certified for code compliance. The town maintains an official zoning map and comprehensive plan, guiding land use and STR eligibility. While the code does not specify which zoning districts permit or prohibit STRs, operators must comply with all city ordinances, including safety, occupancy, and parking requirements. Each STR must provide at least two guest parking spaces and cannot exceed two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests, excluding minors. Owners are required to notify adjacent households and neighborhood associations of STR operation and must have an emergency contact available at all times. A house manual with emergency contacts and house rules must be provided to guests. Safety inspections may be conducted with 24-hour notice. HOA or condo restrictions are not codified by the town but may apply through private covenants (Planning, Building & Zoning | Surfside Beach, SC; RedAwning; Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library).
Taxes and Remittance
Short-term rentals in Surfside Beach are subject to a complex tax stack. Operators must collect and remit a 5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, 1.5% Horry County hospitality fee, 1% Surfside Beach hospitality fee, and 0.5% local accommodations tax. The total effective lodging tax is 7.5%, with the 5% sales tax applied separately. All local taxes must be remitted monthly for stays under 90 days, regardless of rental frequency. Airbnb collects and remits only the state-administered taxes; hosts are responsible for filing the town’s 1% hospitality and 0.5% local accommodations taxes directly. Failure to remit these can result in state-level penalties. A South Carolina Retail License is required for each STR property, and owners must register for state tax accounts. Pending state legislation may further change remittance requirements for platforms and hosts (Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ; South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations; Airbnb Help Center).
Enforcement and Recent Actions
Enforcement of STR rules in Surfside Beach is primarily complaint-driven and managed by the Planning, Building & Zoning Department. There is no evidence of proactive platform monitoring or patrols as of May 2026. Penalties for noncompliance with licensing or tax remittance are not separately codified by the town, so state penalties apply—these can include fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail per offense, plus interest and civil penalties. The town’s code was last updated in August 2025, with no recent amendments specific to STR enforcement. Notably, in May 2026, the town was the victim of a significant financial fraud, but this did not affect STR enforcement posture. Investors should monitor for any future changes in enforcement methods or penalty structures (Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library; South Carolina Code of Laws; WMBF News).
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
Surfside Beach’s STR regulatory framework has remained stable, with no major amendments or enforcement changes published in the city code from 2024 to 2026. At the state level, multiple bills have been introduced to preempt local STR bans or require platforms to collect and remit taxes, but as of May 2026, none have been enacted. Notably, Senate Bill S.442 would require all STRs to carry $1 million in commercial general liability insurance, and House Bill 3876 would mandate annual reporting of STR addresses and platform tax remittance. Local governments like Surfside Beach retain regulatory authority for now, but investors should monitor state legislative developments that could impact compliance obligations (2025-2026 Bill 442; South Carolina Legislature Online – Bill 3876).
Comparable Markets
- Myrtle Beach, SC: Consider if you want a larger, more urban STR market with its own licensing regime.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC: Consider for a similar coastal setting but different city-level rules.
- Garden City Beach, SC: Consider if you prefer unincorporated areas governed by county rules.
- Murrells Inlet, SC: Consider for a quieter, unincorporated market with different county-level oversight.
Sources
- Business Licensing | Surfside Beach, SC
- Town of Surfside Beach – Hospitality & Accommodations Tax
- Town of Surfside Beach – FAQ on Hospitality and Accommodations Tax
- Planning, Building & Zoning | Surfside Beach, SC
- Surfside Beach, SC – Municode Library
- South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations
- South Carolina Code of Laws
- 2025-2026 Bill 442: Short Term Rentals – South Carolina Legislature Online
- South Carolina Legislature Online – Bill 3876
- WMBF News
- RedAwning (Airbnb Trends in Surfside Beach South Carolina)
- Airbnb Help Center
- Sea Star Realty – Surfside Beach Vacation Rentals
- South Carolina Airbnb Laws: Short Term Rental Regulations in SC
- About Our Beaches – Horry County SC.Gov
- Town of Surfside Beach Official Agenda
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in Town of Surfside Beach, Horry County, South Carolina.
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