Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Beaufort, SC?

**Yes**, Beaufort requires a Short-Term Rental Permit to operate legally. You need to obtain this permit along with a city business license, as outlined in Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code. The permit ensures compliance with local regulations and safety standards for short-term rentals. *(55 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Beaufort, SC?

**3% TOT** is the current local accommodations tax rate for short-term rentals in Beaufort. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. This tax applies to all rentals of less than 90 days, and must be paid in addition to state sales tax. *(52 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Beaufort, SC?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Beaufort, but they are strictly regulated. You need to obtain both a Short-Term Rental Permit and a city business license to operate legally. Compliance with occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms is also required per city ordinances. *(52 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in Beaufort, SC?

**$250** is the fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Beaufort. You need to pay this fee annually to maintain a valid permit, as required by city ordinances. Additionally, a city business license is also required for operating a short-term rental within the city limits. *(50 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Beaufort, SC?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Beaufort. Only property owners are eligible to obtain the required Short-Term Rental Permit and city business license. This restriction is enforced to ensure accountability and compliance with local regulations for short-term rentals. *(53 words)*

Beaufort

Strict

South CarolinaUpdated Mar 28, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the City of Beaufort are strictly regulated under Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code, requiring both a specific STR permit and a city business license. The city imposes a 3% local accommodations tax and limits total guest occupancy based on the number of bedrooms.

Restriction level

Severity 36

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

If you're planning to rent out your property in Beaufort for short periods, you'll need to obtain a permit from the city. There are limits on how many people can stay in the rental, and you need to make sure there's enough parking available. Additionally, your property must meet certain safety requirements to ensure the well-being of your guests.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time14-30 business days

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Beaufort, SC: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Beaufort allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Multi-family units, Accessory units (ADUs).
Beaufort prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational vehicles (RVs), Tents, Boats (unless specifically permitted as water-based lodging).

Requirements6 rules

Beaufort, SC has different permit classes: Owner-Occupied vs. Non-Owner Occupied. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
Beaufort, SC: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Beaufort, SC: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process3 rules

Beaufort, SC: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Business License Application, Zoning compliance check, Proof of liability insurance ($1,000,000), Safety inspection certification, Parking plan.

Fees & costs1 rule

Beaufort charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (A business license fee is also required, typically based on gross revenue ($100 minimum estimated base).).

Taxes2 rules

South Carolina has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.
Beaufort charges a Local Accommodations Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: While Airbnb remits state taxes, the City of Beaufort requires hosts to file local remittance forms directly with the Finance Department monthly.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Beaufort limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Beaufort enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Beaufort, SC occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a maximum of 8 per dwelling unit.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Beaufort requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing exits, Functioning interconnected fire alarm system, GFCI outlets near water sources.

Penalties3 rules

Beaufort, SC: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Beaufort, SC: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions2 rules

Beaufort exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Beaufort, SC: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Beaufort

Strict

South CarolinaUpdated Mar 28, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 36

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time14-30 business days

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Beaufort, SC: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Beaufort allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Multi-family units, Accessory units (ADUs).
Beaufort prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational vehicles (RVs), Tents, Boats (unless specifically permitted as water-based lodging).

Requirements6 rules

Beaufort, SC has different permit classes: Owner-Occupied vs. Non-Owner Occupied. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
Beaufort, SC: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Beaufort, SC: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process3 rules

Beaufort, SC: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Business License Application, Zoning compliance check, Proof of liability insurance ($1,000,000), Safety inspection certification, Parking plan.

Fees & costs1 rule

Beaufort charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (A business license fee is also required, typically based on gross revenue ($100 minimum estimated base).).

Taxes2 rules

South Carolina has a state sales tax of 7% that applies to STR rentals.
Beaufort charges a Local Accommodations Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: While Airbnb remits state taxes, the City of Beaufort requires hosts to file local remittance forms directly with the Finance Department monthly.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Beaufort limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Beaufort enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Beaufort, SC occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a maximum of 8 per dwelling unit.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Beaufort requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing exits, Functioning interconnected fire alarm system, GFCI outlets near water sources.

Penalties3 rules

Beaufort, SC: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Beaufort, SC: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions2 rules

Beaufort exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Beaufort, SC: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Beaufort, SC?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Beaufort, SC?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Beaufort, SC?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Beaufort, SC?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Beaufort, SC?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Beaufort, SC?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Beaufort, SC?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Beaufort, SC?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Beaufort, SC?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Beaufort, SC?

Disclaimer