City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Surfside Beach, SC
How Surfside Beach regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- residential-zone exclusion: transient/short-term rentals permitted ONLY in R-3 (High Density/Weekly Rental) and C-3 (Amusement Commercial) districts
- excluded by-right from R-1 (Low Density Residential) and R-2 (Medium Density Residential) — the town's standard residential neighborhoods
- whole-home/absentee STR foreclosed in low- and medium-density residential zones (long-term rentals >=365 days remain permitted in all residential districts)
Based on: Town Code of Ordinances Ch. 17 (Zoning), Art. III Div. 11, § 17-396.10 (Transient rental and long term rental); use
Summary of the rule
Transient rentals, also known as a short term rentals are permitted in the R3 and C3 zoning districts and are defined as a dwelling or other accommodation used as a dwelling or other place of human habitation with sleeping accommodations which is rented, lease, or subleased for periods less than a calendar month or thirty (30) days. Long term rentals are permitted in all zoning districts allowing residential uses.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 15, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Surfside Beach · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.