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

**Yes**, Pawleys Island requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual Town Business License. You need to apply for this license, which is essential for legally operating your rental. Make sure to renew this license annually to stay compliant with local regulations.

What is the TOT tax rate in Pawleys Island?

**5%** is the local accommodations tax rate for short-term rentals within Pawleys Island. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the town. Ensure you accurately calculate and submit this tax to comply with local financial regulations.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Pawleys Island?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Pawleys Island, provided you comply with local regulations. You need to obtain a Town Business License, remit the 5% local accommodations tax, and adhere to strict parking and noise regulations to avoid any penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Pawleys Island?

**$50** is the annual fee for the required Town Business License to operate a short-term rental. You need to pay this fee to legally rent out your property. Remember to renew your license annually to maintain compliance with Pawleys Island regulations.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Pawleys Island?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Pawleys Island. Only property owners are permitted to operate short-term rentals, provided they obtain the necessary permits and adhere to local regulations regarding taxes, parking, and noise.

Pawleys Island

Moderate

South CarolinaUpdated Mar 21, 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 Pawleys Island requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual Town Business License and remit a 5% local accommodations tax. While there are no night caps, properties must comply with strict parking and noise regulations typical of a residential island community.

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 Pawleys Island, you must apply for a Town Business License every year. You are also responsible for making sure the 5% local accommodations tax is paid to the Town, in addition to the state taxes. There is no limit on how many nights you can rent out the property, but you must ensure guests follow the local parking and trash rules to avoid fines. Stays of 30 days or longer are exempt from these specific rental taxes.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$500

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Confirmed researching the Town of Pawleys Island (incorporated), not unincorporated Georgetown County.
2The 5% local accommodations tax is separate from the 1% State and 2% Local taxes collected by the DOR.
3Parking is strictly enforced; all guest vehicles must be on the property, not on the street or right-of-way.
4Business licenses expire on April 30th each year regardless of when you applied.
5Stays 90 days or longer are considered long-term and generally exempt from accommodations taxes.
6Septic capacity often limits the total occupancy allowed by the town code more than the number of bedrooms.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Pawleys Island allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums.
Pawleys Island, SC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Pawleys Island: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements15 rules

Pawleys Island STR warning: Parking is strictly enforced; all guest vehicles must be on the property, not on the street or right-of-way.
Pawleys Island STR warning: Business licenses expire on April 30th each year regardless of when you applied.
Pawleys Island STR warning: Septic capacity often limits the total occupancy allowed by the town code more than the number of bedrooms.

Application process10 rules

Pawleys Island extended permit requirement: Fees are based on gross income; $50 is a common base rate for residential rentals but varies by revenue brackets.

Fees & costs1 rule

Pawleys Island charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Pawleys Island: The 5% local accommodations tax is separate from the 1% State and 2% Local taxes collected by the DOR.
South Carolina has a state sales tax of 8% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Pawleys Island enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Pawleys Island: Septic capacity often limits the total occupancy allowed by the town code more than the number of bedrooms.
Pawleys Island occupancy calculation: Limited by parking and septic capacity per UDO guidelines. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pawleys Island limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Pawleys Island requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Parking must be contained on-site, Trash must be in roll-out containers.

Penalties5 rules

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

Exemptions4 rules

Pawleys Island: Stays 90 days or longer are considered long-term and generally exempt from accommodations taxes.
Pawleys Island, SC: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pawleys Island exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

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

Pawleys Island

Moderate

South CarolinaUpdated Mar 21, 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$50

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$500

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Confirmed researching the Town of Pawleys Island (incorporated), not unincorporated Georgetown County.
2The 5% local accommodations tax is separate from the 1% State and 2% Local taxes collected by the DOR.
3Parking is strictly enforced; all guest vehicles must be on the property, not on the street or right-of-way.
4Business licenses expire on April 30th each year regardless of when you applied.
5Stays 90 days or longer are considered long-term and generally exempt from accommodations taxes.
6Septic capacity often limits the total occupancy allowed by the town code more than the number of bedrooms.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Pawleys Island allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums.
Pawleys Island, SC: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Pawleys Island: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements15 rules

Pawleys Island STR warning: Parking is strictly enforced; all guest vehicles must be on the property, not on the street or right-of-way.
Pawleys Island STR warning: Business licenses expire on April 30th each year regardless of when you applied.
Pawleys Island STR warning: Septic capacity often limits the total occupancy allowed by the town code more than the number of bedrooms.

Application process10 rules

Pawleys Island extended permit requirement: Fees are based on gross income; $50 is a common base rate for residential rentals but varies by revenue brackets.

Fees & costs1 rule

Pawleys Island charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Pawleys Island: The 5% local accommodations tax is separate from the 1% State and 2% Local taxes collected by the DOR.
South Carolina has a state sales tax of 8% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Pawleys Island enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Pawleys Island: Septic capacity often limits the total occupancy allowed by the town code more than the number of bedrooms.
Pawleys Island occupancy calculation: Limited by parking and septic capacity per UDO guidelines. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pawleys Island limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Pawleys Island requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Parking must be contained on-site, Trash must be in roll-out containers.

Penalties5 rules

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

Exemptions4 rules

Pawleys Island: Stays 90 days or longer are considered long-term and generally exempt from accommodations taxes.
Pawleys Island, SC: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pawleys Island exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

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 Pawleys Island?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pawleys Island?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Pawleys Island?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Pawleys Island?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Pawleys Island?

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 Pawleys Island?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pawleys Island?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Pawleys Island?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Pawleys Island?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Pawleys Island?

Disclaimer