Short-term rental rules · Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Short-term rentals in Myrtle Beach, explained properly.
In the City of Myrtle Beach, rentals under 90 days are allowed only in zones mapped for them — mostly the oceanfront and visitor-accommodation districts. Every residential zone starting with 'R' prohibits them except RMV (Residential Multifamily Visitor), and fewer than 30 houses in traditional neighborhoods are grandfathered. A city business license is required for every rental property. In the core tourist area east of Kings Highway, a December 2024 overlay also stops hotels and multi-unit rental buildings from converting to long-term rentals. Violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $500. Guests pay about 13% in combined state, county and city taxes on stays under 90 days.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Banned in 'R' residential zones except RMV | Most traditional residential neighborhoods are not zoned for short-term rentals; every residential zone beginning with 'R' prohibits rentals under 90 days except RMV (Residential Multifamily Visitor). The city's zoning map shows where they are allowed [1] |
| Fewer than 30 grandfathered houses | Fewer than 30 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered because they were used as short-term rentals before the current zoning [1] |
| Business license required | Every rental property, short-term or long-term, needs a City of Myrtle Beach business license. The license year runs June 1 to May 31, fees are based on gross receipts, and licenses do not transfer to a new owner [1] [2] |
| Misdemeanor, fines up to $500 | Violations of the zoning code and the business license ordinance are misdemeanors punishable by fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days on conviction [1] |
| Tourist-area overlay blocks conversion to long-term rentals | A zoning overlay adopted in December 2024 covers 114 blocks east of Kings Highway to the ocean (reported as 29th Avenue South to 82nd Avenue North) and bars hotels and rental buildings of more than two units built for or historically used as rentals under 90 days from converting to long-term rentals. Landlords who already held a long-term rental business license before the ordinance may keep renting long-term as long as they keep the license [3] [4]Confirming |
| Combined tax about 13% | About 13% on stays under 90 days inside city limits: 10% filed with the SC Department of Revenue (5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, and 1% each Horry County Education Capital Improvement, Horry County Transportation and Myrtle Beach Tourism Development taxes), plus 0.5% city local accommodations tax and 1% city hospitality fee filed with the city, and Horry County's 1.5% hospitality fee inside city limits filed with the county [5] [6] [7] [8] |
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Detailed rules
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Changes
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We re-checked the city's short-term rental zoning notice, business license FAQ and hospitality/accommodations tax notice, the SC Department of Revenue accommodations tax page and ST-575 rate chart (rev. 2/5/26), and Horry County's hospitality fee page, and looked for City Council short-term rental actions; we found nothing newer than the December 2024 conversion overlay. Watch the city zoning map and City Council agendas. This page covers only the City of Myrtle Beach: North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and unincorporated Horry County are separate jurisdictions with their own rules and tax rates and are not covered here.
City Council gave final approval to an overlay zone that bars hotels and rental buildings of more than two units historically used for stays under 90 days from converting to long-term rentals, with exceptions for existing long-term rental licensees and units never rented commercially.
Sources
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This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.