What zoning rules apply to STRs in Greenville?

Complete ban on STRs in residential zones (R-6, R-9, etc.) for stays under 30 days.

What should Greenville hosts know about local 3% accommodations tax is?

Local 3% Accommodations Tax is due monthly to the city even if platforms remit state taxes.

What are the key requirements for Greenville hosts?

Insurance requirement recently increased to $1M per state legislation.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Greenville?

Properties between 30 and 89 days are considered 'Mid-Term' and have slightly different zoning rules.

Greenville

Prohibited

South CarolinaUpdated Apr 11, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 9, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and are restricted to specific commercial and mixed-use zones within the City of Greenville.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

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

In plain English

What this means for you

In Greenville, you can only legally host short-term guests (less than 30 days) if your property is located in a commercial or mixed-use neighborhood; rentals are banned in residential areas like R-6 or R-9. Hosts must obtain both a city business license and an occupancy permit, while also carrying at least $1 million in commercial liability insurance.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Complete ban on STRs in residential zones (R-6, R-9, etc.) for stays under 30 days.
2Local 3% Accommodations Tax is due monthly to the city even if platforms remit state taxes.
3Insurance requirement recently increased to $1M per state legislation.
4Properties between 30 and 89 days are considered 'Mid-Term' and have slightly different zoning rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Greenville does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Greenville: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Greenville prohibits STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes in residential zones, ADUs in residential zones.

Requirements12 rules

Greenville: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Greenville: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Greenville requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Commercial general liability policy required per SC Senate Bill S.442 (2025 update).

Application process8 rules

Greenville STR permit - Step 1: Verify Property Zoning. Check the City of Greenville's GIS map to ensure the property is in a permitted commercial or mixed-use zone (e.g., MX-2, BG). STRs are strictly prohibited in residential zones. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs2 rules

Greenville charges a registration fee of $100 (one_time).
Greenville: Insurance requirement recently increased to $1M per state legislation.

Taxes3 rules

Greenville: Local 3% Accommodations Tax is due monthly to the city even if platforms remit state taxes.
South Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Greenville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Greenville enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Greenville occupancy calculation: Subject to International Building Code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Greenville 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, Compliance with IBC and IFC codes.

Penalties3 rules

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

Exemptions2 rules

Greenville: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Greenville exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals between 30-89 days have expanded zoning options.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Greenville

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Property Zoning

Check the City of Greenville's GIS map to ensure the property is in a permitted commercial or mixed-use zone (e.g., MX-2, BG). STRs are strictly prohibited in residential zones.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Business License

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

NAICS code
FEIN or SSN

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Occupancy Permit Application

Apply through the Planning Department. This permit confirms the property meets safety and zoning standards for lodging.

2-4 weeks$100

Documents needed

Site plan
Floor plan
Parking plan
Proof of insurance

Official resource

Step 4

Set Up Accommodations Tax Account

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Business license

Official resource

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

Greenville

Prohibited

South CarolinaUpdated Apr 11, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 9, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are prohibited in all residential zoning districts and are restricted to specific commercial and mixed-use zones within the City of Greenville.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
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 time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Complete ban on STRs in residential zones (R-6, R-9, etc.) for stays under 30 days.
2Local 3% Accommodations Tax is due monthly to the city even if platforms remit state taxes.
3Insurance requirement recently increased to $1M per state legislation.
4Properties between 30 and 89 days are considered 'Mid-Term' and have slightly different zoning rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Greenville does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Greenville: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Greenville prohibits STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes in residential zones, ADUs in residential zones.

Requirements12 rules

Greenville: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Greenville: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Greenville requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Commercial general liability policy required per SC Senate Bill S.442 (2025 update).

Application process8 rules

Greenville STR permit - Step 1: Verify Property Zoning. Check the City of Greenville's GIS map to ensure the property is in a permitted commercial or mixed-use zone (e.g., MX-2, BG). STRs are strictly prohibited in residential zones. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs2 rules

Greenville charges a registration fee of $100 (one_time).
Greenville: Insurance requirement recently increased to $1M per state legislation.

Taxes3 rules

Greenville: Local 3% Accommodations Tax is due monthly to the city even if platforms remit state taxes.
South Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Greenville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Greenville enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Greenville occupancy calculation: Subject to International Building Code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Greenville 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, Compliance with IBC and IFC codes.

Penalties3 rules

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

Exemptions2 rules

Greenville: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Greenville exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals between 30-89 days have expanded zoning options.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Greenville

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Property Zoning

Check the City of Greenville's GIS map to ensure the property is in a permitted commercial or mixed-use zone (e.g., MX-2, BG). STRs are strictly prohibited in residential zones.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Business License

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

NAICS code
FEIN or SSN

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Occupancy Permit Application

Apply through the Planning Department. This permit confirms the property meets safety and zoning standards for lodging.

2-4 weeks$100

Documents needed

Site plan
Floor plan
Parking plan
Proof of insurance

Official resource

Step 4

Set Up Accommodations Tax Account

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Business license

Official resource

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

Verify Property Zoning

Apply for Business License

Submit Occupancy Permit Application

Set Up Accommodations Tax Account

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Greenville?

3Are there zoning restrictions for rentals in Greenville?

4What insurance is required for hosts in Greenville?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Property Zoning

Apply for Business License

Submit Occupancy Permit Application

Set Up Accommodations Tax Account

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Greenville?

3Are there zoning restrictions for rentals in Greenville?

4What insurance is required for hosts in Greenville?

Disclaimer