Myrtle Beach STR Rules

Myrtle Beach is a major vacation destination with a very permissive STR environment. The city relies heavily on STR tourism revenue. Simple accommodation license required. No restrictions on non-owner-occupied properties.

Myrtle Beach STR Regulations: A Investor-Friendly Market

Myrtle Beach stands out as one of the most permissive short-term rental markets on the East Coast. As a premier vacation destination drawing over 19 million visitors annually, the City of Myrtle Beach has deliberately structured its Myrtle Beach Airbnb laws to support — not restrict — the short-term rental economy. Unlike coastal peers such as Charleston or Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach imposes no owner-occupancy requirements, no night caps, and no guest limits, making it a straightforward market for investors operating non-owner-occupied rental properties.

The regulatory framework here is refreshingly simple: operators must obtain an Accommodation License from the city, but beyond that baseline requirement, the city largely stays out of the way. This posture reflects economic reality — STR tourism revenue is deeply woven into the local economy, and city officials have little appetite for policies that would curb short-term rental activity. There have been no significant regulatory overhauls in recent years, and as of early 2024, no major restrictive legislation is pending at the city level.

Market Context and Regulatory History

Historically, Myrtle Beach's STR regulations have evolved alongside its identity as a mass-market beach resort. The city has never pursued the restrictive path taken by cities like New York or San Francisco. STR regulations in Myrtle Beach remain focused on revenue collection and basic business compliance rather than supply restriction. For investors evaluating a $200,000–$500,000 purchase decision, this regulatory stability is a meaningful competitive advantage that reduces long-term policy risk in your underwriting assumptions.

Accommodation License

A Accommodation License is required to legally operate a short-term rental in Myrtle Beach. The annual cost is $50.

How to Obtain Your Myrtle Beach Short-Term Rental Permit

The Myrtle Beach short-term rental permit process is straightforward and one of the least burdensome in South Carolina. Follow these steps to get legally operational:

1. Complete the Business License Application: Visit the City of Myrtle Beach Business License portal at cityofmyrtlebeach.com/business/business_license. You will apply for an Accommodation License specifically. Applications can be submitted online or in person at City Hall.
2. Gather Required Documents: Prepare your property deed or lease agreement, a valid government-issued ID, your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number, and the physical address of the rental property. If operating as an LLC, include your business formation documents.
3. Pay the License Fee: The Accommodation License costs $50, making it one of the lowest-cost permit fees among major US beach markets. Payment is accepted online via credit card or in person by check or cash.
4. Register for State and Local Tax Accounts: Simultaneously register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for Accommodations Tax collection. This is separate from the city license but legally required before your first rental.
5. Post Your License Number: Display your Accommodation License number in your listing on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO as a best practice, even if not currently mandated by platform policy.
6. Renewal: Business licenses in Myrtle Beach renew annually. Budget the same $50 renewal fee each year. Renewals are typically due on April 30th.

Pro Tip: Processing times are generally 5–10 business days. Apply before your first guest checks in to avoid any compliance gaps. Keep a digital copy of your license accessible remotely.

Myrtle Beach currently has minimal active STR enforcement. However, regulations can change — always maintain compliance.

Enforcement of STR regulations in Myrtle Beach is notably light-touch compared to most major US vacation markets. As of early 2024, the city does not maintain an active, dedicated short-term rental enforcement unit, and no minimum fine or maximum fine thresholds have been formally established for unlicensed operation. The city's enforcement posture is best described as reactive rather than proactive — complaints from neighbors or homeowner associations are the primary trigger for any regulatory attention, rather than systematic auditing of listing platforms.

Because Myrtle Beach is a dense resort corridor where STR activity is the norm rather than the exception, neighbor complaints are relatively rare outside of specific noise or nuisance incidents. Common violations that do attract attention include excessive noise, parking violations exceeding property capacity, and waste management issues — all of which fall under general nuisance ordinances rather than STR-specific rules. The city does not currently have a formal platform data-sharing agreement with Airbnb or VRBO for compliance monitoring purposes.

For investors, this enforcement environment significantly lowers operational risk. That said, operating without an Accommodation License is still technically unlawful, and the $50 cost of compliance makes non-compliance an unnecessary risk. Should the city shift toward a more active enforcement posture in response to housing advocacy or neighborhood pressure — a trend seen in other markets — those already licensed will be well-positioned. Maintain your license, collect and remit required taxes, and document your compliance in case of future audits.

Why Investors Target Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a top-tier STR investment market for several compelling reasons. The city draws a massive, consistent tourist base anchored by beach access, golf courses, entertainment venues, and family attractions, creating strong year-round demand with peak occupancy in summer months. Average daily rates for well-positioned properties frequently range from $150–$350 per night, and gross annual revenues of $40,000–$80,000+ are achievable on quality assets. The combination of a permissive regulatory environment, low permit costs, and no restrictions on non-owner-occupied properties eliminates much of the policy risk that undermines STR underwriting in other coastal cities. Entry price points — particularly for condos in the $150,000–$300,000 range — also provide accessible cap rates relative to comparable beach markets.

Tax Obligations for STR Operators

Tax compliance is the most operationally complex aspect of running a Myrtle Beach Airbnb. South Carolina imposes a state Accommodations Tax of 7% on gross rental proceeds, collected by the SC Department of Revenue. Additionally, Horry County levies a 1.5% local accommodations tax, and the City of Myrtle Beach adds a further 1.5% municipal accommodations tax. In total, operators face approximately 10% in lodging tax obligations on gross revenue. Note that Airbnb collects and remits state and some local taxes on behalf of hosts in South Carolina, but operators should verify current remittance scope directly with both Airbnb and the SCDOR to avoid double-payment or compliance gaps.

HOA and Condo Considerations

While city regulations are permissive, HOA and condo association rules represent the primary operational risk for Myrtle Beach STR investors. Many oceanfront condo complexes along the Grand Strand were built specifically for vacation rental use and explicitly permit short-term rentals. However, some residential-oriented communities and newer mixed-use developments have adopted STR restrictions at the association level that supersede city permissiveness. Always request and review the full CC&Rs and HOA meeting minutes before closing on any Myrtle Beach investment property.

Nearby Alternatives

If specific sub-markets within Myrtle Beach proper don't meet your criteria, the broader Grand Strand offers strong alternatives. North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach maintain similarly permissive STR environments with comparable tourist traffic. Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet to the south offer a quieter, upscale demographic that can command premium nightly rates. Each municipality has its own licensing requirements, so repeat the licensing due diligence process for any property outside Myrtle Beach city limits.

• Budget $50 annually for your Accommodation License — this is among the lowest STR permit fees of any major US beach market. Factor this into your operating expense proforma as a fixed cost and treat license renewal (due April 30th) as a non-negotiable calendar item.
• Verify HOA STR permissions before making an offer — city regulations are permissive, but individual condo associations can and do prohibit STRs. Request the full CC&Rs, association rules, and at least 12 months of board meeting minutes during due diligence to catch any pending restrictions.
• Account for the full 10% lodging tax stack (7% state + 1.5% county + 1.5% city) when modeling net revenue. Confirm exactly which taxes Airbnb remits on your behalf in South Carolina versus what you must file directly with the SCDOR to avoid costly penalties.
• Target properties in established vacation rental corridors along Ocean Boulevard and the oceanfront strips between 2nd and 82nd Avenues, where STR activity is normalized, neighbor friction is minimal, and rental demand is most consistent.
• Underwrite for seasonal variation — Myrtle Beach peaks sharply June through August. Model conservative occupancy of 55–65% annually rather than using peak-month data. Strong operators offset off-season softness with golf travelers and snowbirds from October through March.
• Register your STR business as an LLC before applying for your Accommodation License. South Carolina's LLC formation costs approximately $110, provides liability protection, and enables cleaner entity-level tax reporting for your accommodations tax filings.
• Monitor North Myrtle Beach and Horry County regulations separately — if your acquisition search extends outside Myrtle Beach city limits, each jurisdiction has distinct licensing requirements. Don't assume city-level research applies countywide.
• Document all compliance proactively — even with light enforcement today, maintain digital records of your Accommodation License, tax registration confirmations, and remittance receipts. A shift toward stricter enforcement (a trend nationally) would put unlicensed operators at serious risk while compliant operators face no disruption.