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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. South Carolina
  6. ·
  7. Orangeburg

Orangeburg

Permissive
South CarolinaUpdated Apr 13, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 11, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Orangeburg require a city business license, a fire marshal inspection, and compliance with local zoning and accommodations tax requirements.

Restriction level

Severity 0
Classification
Permissive
0
Severity

Why this classification

  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • Safety standards required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement
  • Low permit fee
  • Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate a short-term rental in Orangeburg, you must obtain a city business license and register with the Finance Department to pay local taxes. The property must be located in an appropriately zoned district (typically commercial or office-institutional) and pass a fire safety inspection. You are also responsible for collecting and remitting a total tax of approximately 11% on all stays under 90 days.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$50
Processing time1-2 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Zoning is a major barrier; short-term rentals are typically prohibited in A-1 and A-2 residential zones without specific relief.
  2. 2Fire Marshal inspections are mandatory for all new short-term rental business licenses.
  3. 3Tax returns must be filed monthly by the 20th, even if you had zero revenue for the month.
  4. 4The 11% total tax rate is a combination of 7% State, 1% Local Option, and 3% Local Accommodations taxes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • Orangeburg allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment.
  • Orangeburg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • Orangeburg allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires written landlord permission and valid lease documentation.
Requirements11 rules
  • Orangeburg: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
  • Orangeburg STR warning: Zoning is a major barrier; short-term rentals are typically prohibited in A-1 and A-2 residential zones without specific relief.
  • Orangeburg STR warning: Fire Marshal inspections are mandatory for all new short-term rental business licenses.
Application process9 rules
  • How to set up an STR in Orangeburg: To operate a short-term rental in Orangeburg, you must obtain a city business license and register with the Finance Department to pay local taxes. The property must be located in an appropriately zoned district (typically commercial or office-institutional) and pass a fire safety inspection. You are also responsible for collecting and remitting a total tax of approximately 11% on all stays under 90 days.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Orangeburg charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).
Taxes4 rules
  • South Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
  • Orangeburg: The 11% total tax rate is a combination of 7% State, 1% Local Option, and 3% Local Accommodations taxes.
Limits & restrictions3 rules
  • Orangeburg occupancy calculation: Generally limited by fire code and number of bedrooms. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Orangeburg limits stays to a maximum of 89 nights.
  • Orangeburg enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Safety requirements2 rules
  • Orangeburg: Fire Marshal inspections are mandatory for all new short-term rental business licenses.
  • Orangeburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Fire Marshal Inspection Approval, Compliance with residential building codes.
Penalties3 rules
  • Orangeburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Orangeburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: 5-10% late tax penalty. Second offense: Daily fines for continued non-compliance. Third offense: Revocation of business license. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Orangeburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Orangeburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals under 15 days per year may be exempt from state accommodations tax registration but still require a business license..

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Orangeburg

0/5
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Zoning Eligibility

Contact the City Planning and Zoning division to ensure the property is in a district where short-term lodging (Accommodations) is permitted.

1-3 daysFree
Documents needed
  • Property Address
  • TMS Number
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain State Retail License

Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) to obtain a retail license for collecting and remitting state sales and accommodations taxes.

1-2 weeks$50
Documents needed
  • SSN or FEIN
  • Business Entity Information
Official resource
Step 3

Submit City Business License Application

Complete the Business License application for the City of Orangeburg, specifying the NAICS code 721000 for Accommodations.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Application Form
  • Photo ID
  • Copy of State Retail License
Official resource
Step 4

Pass Fire Marshal Inspection

Schedule a safety inspection with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fire Marshal to ensure compliance with life safety codes.

1-2 weeksFree
Official resource
Step 5

Register for Local Taxes

Set up a local Accommodations and Hospitality Tax account with the Finance Department for monthly reporting.

1-3 daysFree
Documents needed
  • Business License Number
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

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