What should Clemson hosts know about strict 25-day annual rental cap?

Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.

What are the key requirements for Clemson hosts?

A city-provided sign must be physically posted in the yard during every rental period.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Clemson?

Occupancy is limited to only 2 unrelated persons in most residential zones regardless of house size.

What violations should Clemson hosts avoid?

Two violations in one calendar year (noise, litter, parking) trigger a permit revocation hearing.

Clemson

Strict

South CarolinaUpdated Mar 30, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Clemson permits short-term rentals for a maximum of 25 days per calendar year, requiring annual registration and a mandatory safety inspection.

Restriction level

Severity 58

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Severe night cap: 25 nights/year
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

You can only rent your property as a short-term rental in Clemson for up to 25 days each year. You must apply for a permit annually, pass a safety inspection, and display a specific city-issued sign in your yard whenever the property is being rented.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit25/year

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time2-3 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.
2A city-provided sign must be physically posted in the yard during every rental period.
3Occupancy is limited to only 2 unrelated persons in most residential zones regardless of house size.
4Two violations in one calendar year (noise, litter, parking) trigger a permit revocation hearing.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Clemson prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Boats, Substandard Housing.
Clemson: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Clemson allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse, Condo.
Clemson does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements11 rules

Clemson requires liability insurance for STR hosts. General liability insurance typically required per standard business license rules.
Clemson: Two violations in one calendar year (noise, litter, parking) trigger a permit revocation hearing.
Clemson STR warning: Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.

Application process7 rules

How to set up an STR in Clemson: You can only rent your property as a short-term rental in Clemson for up to 25 days each year. You must apply for a permit annually, pass a safety inspection, and display a specific city-issued sign in your yard whenever the property is being rented.

Fees & costs1 rule

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

Taxes2 rules

Clemson charges a Local Accommodations Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state and city accommodations taxes directly.
South Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Clemson enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.
Clemson: Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.
Clemson occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom + 2 (not to exceed 10 total). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Clemson limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 (not to exceed 10 total)
Clemson limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Clemson requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual livability standards inspection, Mandatory city-provided yard sign during rentals, Egress-compliant windows.

Penalties2 rules

Clemson enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or $500 fine. Second offense: Revocation hearing before City Council. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Clemson: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Clemson

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Contact Planning and Codes

Notify the Rental Housing Office (RHO@cityofclemson.org) of your intent to register a Short-Term Rental.

1-2 daysFree

Official resource

Step 2

Schedule Mandatory Inspection

Set up a time for a city inspector to verify 'livability standards' and safety compliance at the property.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Registration Form and Business License

Complete the Short Term Residential Rental Registration and the Standardized Business License Application.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Short Term Residential Rental Registration Form
Proof of Insurance

Official resource

Step 4

Obtain City Yard Sign

Pay the permit fee and pick up the mandatory city-provided yard sign that must be displayed while guests are present.

1 dayFree

Frequently asked questions

4 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

Clemson

Strict

South CarolinaUpdated Mar 30, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Clemson permits short-term rentals for a maximum of 25 days per calendar year, requiring annual registration and a mandatory safety inspection.

Restriction level

Severity 58

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Severe night cap: 25 nights/year
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit25/year

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time2-3 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.
2A city-provided sign must be physically posted in the yard during every rental period.
3Occupancy is limited to only 2 unrelated persons in most residential zones regardless of house size.
4Two violations in one calendar year (noise, litter, parking) trigger a permit revocation hearing.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Clemson prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Boats, Substandard Housing.
Clemson: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Clemson allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse, Condo.
Clemson does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements11 rules

Clemson requires liability insurance for STR hosts. General liability insurance typically required per standard business license rules.
Clemson: Two violations in one calendar year (noise, litter, parking) trigger a permit revocation hearing.
Clemson STR warning: Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.

Application process7 rules

How to set up an STR in Clemson: You can only rent your property as a short-term rental in Clemson for up to 25 days each year. You must apply for a permit annually, pass a safety inspection, and display a specific city-issued sign in your yard whenever the property is being rented.

Fees & costs1 rule

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

Taxes2 rules

Clemson charges a Local Accommodations Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state and city accommodations taxes directly.
South Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Clemson enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.
Clemson: Strict 25-day annual rental cap for all residential dwellings.
Clemson occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom + 2 (not to exceed 10 total). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Clemson limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 (not to exceed 10 total)
Clemson limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Clemson requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual livability standards inspection, Mandatory city-provided yard sign during rentals, Egress-compliant windows.

Penalties2 rules

Clemson enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or $500 fine. Second offense: Revocation hearing before City Council. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Clemson: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Clemson

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Contact Planning and Codes

Notify the Rental Housing Office (RHO@cityofclemson.org) of your intent to register a Short-Term Rental.

1-2 daysFree

Official resource

Step 2

Schedule Mandatory Inspection

Set up a time for a city inspector to verify 'livability standards' and safety compliance at the property.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Registration Form and Business License

Complete the Short Term Residential Rental Registration and the Standardized Business License Application.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Short Term Residential Rental Registration Form
Proof of Insurance

Official resource

Step 4

Obtain City Yard Sign

Pay the permit fee and pick up the mandatory city-provided yard sign that must be displayed while guests are present.

1 dayFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Contact Planning and Codes

Schedule Mandatory Inspection

Submit Registration Form and Business License

Obtain City Yard Sign

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Clemson?

3Are there rental night limits in Clemson?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Clemson?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Contact Planning and Codes

Schedule Mandatory Inspection

Submit Registration Form and Business License

Obtain City Yard Sign

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Clemson?

3Are there rental night limits in Clemson?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Clemson?

Disclaimer