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

**Yes**, Myrtle Beach requires a Short-Term Rental Business License. You need to obtain this annual license, which costs $100. Operating without a valid license can result in fines, so ensure you complete the application process and adhere to all local regulations. You must also file monthly hospitality taxes.

What is the TOT tax rate in Myrtle Beach?

**3% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Myrtle Beach. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city on a monthly basis along with hospitality taxes. Be sure to check for any changes to the tax rate.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Myrtle Beach?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Myrtle Beach, but they are strictly regulated. You need to obtain a business license and comply with all local ordinances, including remitting the required hospitality taxes monthly. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in penalties and fines from the city.

How much does an STR permit cost in Myrtle Beach?

**$100** is the annual cost for a Short-Term Rental Business License in Myrtle Beach. You need to renew this license each year to legally operate your rental. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with regulating short-term rentals within the city limits. Always ensure timely renewal.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Myrtle Beach?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Myrtle Beach. Only property owners are permitted to obtain a short-term rental business license. Renters are prohibited from subleasing their apartments or homes for short-term stays without the owner's explicit consent.

Myrtle Beach

Moderate

South CarolinaUpdated Apr 16, 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 Myrtle Beach are strictly regulated and require an annual business license and monthly hospitality tax filings. Stays under 90 days are subject to a combination of state and local taxes totaling approximately 13%.

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 City of Myrtle Beach, you must first verify your property is in a zone that allows transient accommodations. You are required to get a city business license and register for the city's hospitality tax. Even if Airbnb collects state taxes, you are often responsible for reporting and paying the local 1% hospitality fee directly to the city every month. Make sure to post your business license and emergency contact info clearly inside the rental to avoid fines.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time10-14 business days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your exact address; many 'Myrtle Beach' addresses are actually in Unincorporated Horry County which has different rules.
2The 1% Hospitality Fee must be remitted monthly to the city even if you have no bookings.
3Rentals are generally prohibited in many traditional single-family residential (R-1) zones.
4The business license fee is based on gross receipts, so your annual cost may increase with revenue.
5Short-term rentals are defined as stays of less than 90 days in South Carolina for tax purposes.
6Failure to file hospitality taxes for three consecutive months can lead to immediate license revocation.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Myrtle Beach does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Myrtle Beach: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Myrtle Beach does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Myrtle Beach allows STRs in the following property types: Residential dwellings, Condominiums, Apartments.

Requirements16 rules

Myrtle Beach STR warning: Failure to file hospitality taxes for three consecutive months can lead to immediate license revocation.
Myrtle Beach STR warning: Verify your exact address; many 'Myrtle Beach' addresses are actually in Unincorporated Horry County which has different rules.
Myrtle Beach STR warning: Rentals are generally prohibited in many traditional single-family residential (R-1) zones.

Application process10 rules

How to set up an STR in Myrtle Beach: To host an Airbnb in the City of Myrtle Beach, you must first verify your property is in a zone that allows transient accommodations. You are required to get a city business license and register for the city's hospitality tax. Even if Airbnb collects state taxes, you are often responsible for reporting and paying the local 1% hospitality fee directly to the city every month. Make sure to post your business license and emergency contact info clearly inside the rental to avoid fines.

Fees & costs2 rules

Myrtle Beach: The business license fee is based on gross receipts, so your annual cost may increase with revenue.
Myrtle Beach charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes4 rules

Myrtle Beach: Failure to file hospitality taxes for three consecutive months can lead to immediate license revocation.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Myrtle Beach, SC occupancy calculation: Subject to fire code occupancy limits (typically 2 persons per bedroom plus 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Myrtle Beach limits stays to a maximum of 89 nights.
Myrtle Beach enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Myrtle Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Functional egress windows, Business license must be posted inside unit.

Penalties6 rules

Myrtle Beach enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: Suspension of business license. Third offense: Revocation of license. Daily fine: Up to $500 per day. Maximum fine: $500 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions3 rules

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

Myrtle Beach

Moderate

South CarolinaUpdated Apr 16, 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 time10-14 business days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your exact address; many 'Myrtle Beach' addresses are actually in Unincorporated Horry County which has different rules.
2The 1% Hospitality Fee must be remitted monthly to the city even if you have no bookings.
3Rentals are generally prohibited in many traditional single-family residential (R-1) zones.
4The business license fee is based on gross receipts, so your annual cost may increase with revenue.
5Short-term rentals are defined as stays of less than 90 days in South Carolina for tax purposes.
6Failure to file hospitality taxes for three consecutive months can lead to immediate license revocation.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Myrtle Beach does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Myrtle Beach: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Myrtle Beach does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Myrtle Beach allows STRs in the following property types: Residential dwellings, Condominiums, Apartments.

Requirements16 rules

Myrtle Beach STR warning: Failure to file hospitality taxes for three consecutive months can lead to immediate license revocation.
Myrtle Beach STR warning: Verify your exact address; many 'Myrtle Beach' addresses are actually in Unincorporated Horry County which has different rules.
Myrtle Beach STR warning: Rentals are generally prohibited in many traditional single-family residential (R-1) zones.

Application process10 rules

How to set up an STR in Myrtle Beach: To host an Airbnb in the City of Myrtle Beach, you must first verify your property is in a zone that allows transient accommodations. You are required to get a city business license and register for the city's hospitality tax. Even if Airbnb collects state taxes, you are often responsible for reporting and paying the local 1% hospitality fee directly to the city every month. Make sure to post your business license and emergency contact info clearly inside the rental to avoid fines.

Fees & costs2 rules

Myrtle Beach: The business license fee is based on gross receipts, so your annual cost may increase with revenue.
Myrtle Beach charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes4 rules

Myrtle Beach: Failure to file hospitality taxes for three consecutive months can lead to immediate license revocation.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Myrtle Beach, SC occupancy calculation: Subject to fire code occupancy limits (typically 2 persons per bedroom plus 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Myrtle Beach limits stays to a maximum of 89 nights.
Myrtle Beach enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Myrtle Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Functional egress windows, Business license must be posted inside unit.

Penalties6 rules

Myrtle Beach enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: Suspension of business license. Third offense: Revocation of license. Daily fine: Up to $500 per day. Maximum fine: $500 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions3 rules

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Myrtle Beach?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Myrtle Beach?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Myrtle Beach?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Myrtle Beach?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Myrtle Beach?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Myrtle Beach?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Myrtle Beach?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Myrtle Beach?

Disclaimer