What zoning rules apply to STRs in Spartanburg?

Residential Ban: STRs are strictly prohibited in all residential (R) zones within the city.

What are the key requirements for Spartanburg hosts?

Manual Tax Remittance: You must manually remit 5% total in local taxes (3% County, 2% City) as platforms like Airbnb do not collect these for this jurisdiction.

What are the key requirements for Spartanburg hosts?

High Insurance Requirement: South Carolina law mandates $1,000,000 in commercial liability coverage.

What are the key requirements for Spartanburg hosts?

Business License Renewal: Licenses must be renewed by April 30th each year to avoid heavy penalties.

Spartanburg

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

South CarolinaLast updated: February 12, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 12, 2026

Summary

Spartanburg prohibits short-term rentals in residential zones, restricting them to commercial, downtown, and mixed-use districts where they require a business license and special permitting.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Banned in all/most residential zones
•Standard permit fee: $150
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

You cannot operate an Airbnb or VRBO in a residential neighborhood (R-1 to R-4) within Spartanburg city limits; they are treated like hotels and only allowed in commercial areas. If your property is in a legal zone, you must get a city business license and a short-term rental permit, and you are responsible for paying a total of 12% in taxes.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-3 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Residential Ban: STRs are strictly prohibited in all residential (R) zones within the city.
2.Manual Tax Remittance: You must manually remit 5% total in local taxes (3% County, 2% City) as platforms like Airbnb do not collect these for this jurisdiction.
3.High Insurance Requirement: South Carolina law mandates $1,000,000 in commercial liability coverage.
4.Business License Renewal: Licenses must be renewed by April 30th each year to avoid heavy penalties.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Spartanburg does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Spartanburg does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Spartanburg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(11)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Spartanburg: 1. Residential Ban: STRs are strictly prohibited in all residential (R) zones within the city. 2. Manual Tax Remittance: You must manually remit 5% total in local taxes (3% County, 2% City) as platforms like Airbnb do not collect these for this jurisdiction. 3. High Insurance Requirement: South Carolina law mandates $1,000,000 in commercial liability coverage. 4. Business License Renewal: Licenses must be renewed by April 30th each year to avoid heavy penalties.

Application Process(8)

•How to set up an STR in Spartanburg: You cannot operate an Airbnb or VRBO in a residential neighborhood (R-1 to R-4) within Spartanburg city limits; they are treated like hotels and only allowed in commercial areas. If your property is in a legal zone, you must get a city business license and a short-term rental permit, and you are responsible for paying a total of 12% in taxes.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Spartanburg charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).
•Spartanburg: High Insurance Requirement: South Carolina law mandates $1,000,000 in commercial liability coverage.

Taxes(4)

•South Carolina has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
•Spartanburg charges a Local Option Accommodations Tax of 0.03%.
•Spartanburg: Manual Tax Remittance: You must manually remit 5% total in local taxes (3% County, 2% City) as platforms like Airbnb do not collect these for this jurisdiction.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Spartanburg occupancy calculation: Subject to fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Spartanburg enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Spartanburg limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Spartanburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency exit plans posted, HVAC inspection, ADA compliance where applicable.

Penalties(3)

•Spartanburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by zoning violation. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Spartanburg enforces penalties: First offense: Late tax penalties.

Exemptions(2)

•Spartanburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Spartanburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals under 15 days per year in primary residence, Facility with fewer than 6 rooms where owner resides, long-term rentals 30+ days (county).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other South Carolina Markets

Pawleys Island

South Carolina

Moderate

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.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Beaufort County

South Carolina

Moderate

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Beaufort County are regulated by Ordinance 2021/48, requiring an annual permit and a local contact available 24/7. Hosts must collect and remit a 3% Local Accommodations Tax in addition to state-level taxes.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Mount Pleasant

South Carolina

Strict

The Town of Mount Pleasant strictly regulates short-term rentals, capping the number of rental nights at 72 per calendar year for most residential properties. Hosts must obtain both an STR permit ($250) and a town business license, and must provide proof of primary residency to qualify for certain permit types.

Permit requiredNight limits

0.1% total tax

Kiawah Island

South Carolina

Moderate

Kiawah Island strictly regulates short-term rentals through a mandatory licensing program and neighborhood-specific rental caps. Hosts must obtain an annual business license, designate a local contact person available 24/7, and adhere to specific occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Spartanburg

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other South Carolina Markets

Pawleys Island

Beaufort County

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Spartanburg

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Spartanburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Spartanburg?

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

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Pawleys Island

Beaufort County

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