What are the key requirements for Charleston hosts?

1% B&O Tax: Hosts must pay a 1% Business and Occupation tax on gross rental income, which is separate from occupancy taxes charged to guests.

What are the permit fees in Charleston?

City Service Fee: Self-employed individuals operating in the city are subject to a $3.00/week City Service Fee.

What are the key requirements for Charleston hosts?

Unit-by-Unit Registration: Each individual unit in a multi-unit building must be registered separately.

What are the permit fees in Charleston?

B&O Account Standing: Rental license applications can be denied if the owner has delinquent B&O taxes or fire/refuse fees.

Charleston, WV Short-Term Rental Regulations

Summary

Charleston requires short-term rental operators to obtain a state business registration, a city business license, and a residential rental license for each unit.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 8 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Charleston, you must register your business with the state and the city. You need to file for a 'Residential Rental License' for each unit, which currently has no application fee, and pay a 1% Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on your gross income. Your property must also pass safety standards and collect occupancy taxes from guests.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Max Fine

$2,500

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.1% B&O Tax: Hosts must pay a 1% Business and Occupation tax on gross rental income, which is separate from occupancy taxes charged to guests.
2.City Service Fee: Self-employed individuals operating in the city are subject to a $3.00/week City Service Fee.
3.Unit-by-Unit Registration: Each individual unit in a multi-unit building must be registered separately.
4.B&O Account Standing: Rental license applications can be denied if the owner has delinquent B&O taxes or fire/refuse fees.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

•Charleston does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Charleston allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Apartment, Condo, Townhouse, Home.
•Charleston: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(10)

•Charleston: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
•Charleston STR warning: 1% B&O Tax: Hosts must pay a 1% Business and Occupation tax on gross rental income, which is separate from occupancy taxes charged to guests.

Application Process(9)

•How to set up an STR in Charleston: To host a short-term rental in Charleston, you must register your business with the state and the city. You need to file for a 'Residential Rental License' for each unit, which currently has no application fee, and pay a 1% Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on your gross income. Your property must also pass safety standards and collect occupancy taxes from guests.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Charleston: City Service Fee: Self-employed individuals operating in the city are subject to a $3.00/week City Service Fee.

Taxes(4)

•Charleston: 1% B&O Tax: Hosts must pay a 1% Business and Occupation tax on gross rental income, which is separate from occupancy taxes charged to guests.
•West Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
•Charleston: B&O Account Standing: Rental license applications can be denied if the owner has delinquent B&O taxes or fire/refuse fees.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Charleston enforces quiet hours: 10pm-8am.
•Charleston occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom + 2 (not to exceed 12 total). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Charleston limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Charleston limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 (not to exceed 12 total)

Safety Requirements(1)

•Charleston requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local contact person must be available, Property must be fit for human occupancy, Fire safety inspection by the Fire Prevention Bureau.

Penalties(2)

•Charleston enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: $2500 fine. Maximum fine: 2500. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Charleston: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

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

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 4-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

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.

Charleston

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

Requirements(10)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other West Virginia Markets

Berkeley Springs

Fayetteville

Harpers Ferry

Charleston

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 Charleston?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Charleston?

3Are there rental night limits in Charleston?

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

Related Content

Other West Virginia Markets

Berkeley Springs

Fayetteville

Harpers Ferry