Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bluffton?

**Yes**, the Town of Bluffton requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual STR permit. You need to apply for the permit and pay a fee of $100. The permit ensures compliance with local regulations, including occupancy limits and safety inspections. Operating without a permit may result in fines. *(55 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Bluffton?

**3% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Bluffton. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the Town of Bluffton. Check with the local finance department for specific filing deadlines and procedures to ensure compliance with tax regulations. *(54 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Bluffton?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Bluffton, but they are subject to specific regulations. You need to obtain an STR permit and comply with occupancy limits of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Additionally, a $1 million liability insurance policy is required to operate legally. *(52 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in Bluffton?

**$100** is the annual cost for a short-term rental permit in Bluffton. You need to renew this permit annually to continue operating legally. In addition to the permit fee, you must also obtain a town business license. This ensures compliance with local regulations and helps maintain community standards. *(53 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Bluffton?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Bluffton. Only property owners are eligible to obtain an STR permit and operate a short-term rental. Renters must have the express permission of the property owner to sublet or list the property. *(51 words)*

Bluffton

Moderate

South CarolinaUpdated Apr 12, 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

The Town of Bluffton requires all short-term rental operators to obtain both an annual STR permit and a town business license. Regulations include strict occupancy limits (2 per bedroom + 2), a mandatory $1 million liability insurance policy, and local fire safety inspections.

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the Town of Bluffton, you must register annually for an STR permit ($100) and have a current town business license. You are required to have at least $1 million in liability insurance specifically for your rental activity. Your home must pass a fire safety inspection, and you need to designate a local contact person who can respond to issues within one hour. Additionally, you must remit a 3% Local Accommodations Tax to the Town quarterly, separate from what the booking platforms may collect for the state.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time7-10 business days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify you are within Town of Bluffton limits; Beaufort County has different rules for unincorporated areas.
2HOA rules take precedence; the Town will not issue a permit if your HOA prohibits STRs.
3Parking is strictly regulated; guests must park in designated spaces shown on your approved site plan.
4Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can only be rented if the property owner lives in the main house.
5Local contact persons must be available 24/7 and respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
6The 3% Town Local Accommodations Tax is often NOT collected by Airbnb/VRBO and must be paid by the host.
7Permits must be renewed annually by January 1st or they will expire.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Bluffton, SC: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Bluffton, SC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Bluffton does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Bluffton: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements21 rules

Bluffton STR warning: Parking is strictly regulated; guests must park in designated spaces shown on your approved site plan.
Bluffton: Parking is strictly regulated; guests must park in designated spaces shown on your approved site plan.
Bluffton, SC: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Bluffton: To host an Airbnb in the Town of Bluffton, you must register annually for an STR permit ($100) and have a current town business license. You are required to have at least $1 million in liability insurance specifically for your rental activity. Your home must pass a fire safety inspection, and you need to designate a local contact person who can respond to issues within one hour. Additionally, you must remit a 3% Local Accommodations Tax to the Town quarterly, separate from what the booking platforms may collect for the state.

Fees & costs1 rule

Bluffton charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Bluffton 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 collects State (5%) and County (3%) taxes, the Town Local Accommodations Tax (3%) must typically be remitted directly to the Town by the host.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Bluffton limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons for the entire unit
Bluffton, SC occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons for the entire unit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Bluffton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke alarms required, Egress windows must meet code, Local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond within 1 hour.

Penalties5 rules

Bluffton enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: Suspension of permit. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Daily fine: Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. Maximum fine: $500 per day plus court costs. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions3 rules

Bluffton exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Bluffton, 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

Bluffton

Moderate

South CarolinaUpdated Apr 12, 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 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

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$100

Processing time7-10 business days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify you are within Town of Bluffton limits; Beaufort County has different rules for unincorporated areas.
2HOA rules take precedence; the Town will not issue a permit if your HOA prohibits STRs.
3Parking is strictly regulated; guests must park in designated spaces shown on your approved site plan.
4Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can only be rented if the property owner lives in the main house.
5Local contact persons must be available 24/7 and respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
6The 3% Town Local Accommodations Tax is often NOT collected by Airbnb/VRBO and must be paid by the host.
7Permits must be renewed annually by January 1st or they will expire.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Bluffton, SC: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Bluffton, SC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Bluffton does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Bluffton: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements21 rules

Bluffton STR warning: Parking is strictly regulated; guests must park in designated spaces shown on your approved site plan.
Bluffton: Parking is strictly regulated; guests must park in designated spaces shown on your approved site plan.
Bluffton, SC: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Bluffton: To host an Airbnb in the Town of Bluffton, you must register annually for an STR permit ($100) and have a current town business license. You are required to have at least $1 million in liability insurance specifically for your rental activity. Your home must pass a fire safety inspection, and you need to designate a local contact person who can respond to issues within one hour. Additionally, you must remit a 3% Local Accommodations Tax to the Town quarterly, separate from what the booking platforms may collect for the state.

Fees & costs1 rule

Bluffton charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Bluffton 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 collects State (5%) and County (3%) taxes, the Town Local Accommodations Tax (3%) must typically be remitted directly to the Town by the host.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Bluffton limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons for the entire unit
Bluffton, SC occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom, plus 2 additional persons for the entire unit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Bluffton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke alarms required, Egress windows must meet code, Local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond within 1 hour.

Penalties5 rules

Bluffton enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: Suspension of permit. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Daily fine: Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. Maximum fine: $500 per day plus court costs. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions3 rules

Bluffton exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Bluffton, 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

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bluffton?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bluffton?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Bluffton?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Bluffton?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Bluffton?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bluffton?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bluffton?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Bluffton?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Bluffton?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Bluffton?

Disclaimer