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South Carolina
Beaufort

Is Beaufort, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

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Beaufort, South Carolina market research

Beaufort, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Overview

6%District STR cap
April 30Business-license renewal
$10Nonrefundable application fee
MonthlyTown accommodations filing
Decision

Beaufort STR investment decision

A City of Beaufort rental for fewer than 30 days enters the short-term-rental program. The address, zoning district, dwelling type, parking, building history, private restrictions, and insurability determine whether a purchase supports the intended use.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Eligibility

Beaufort short-term rental eligibility

Whole houses, rooms, carriage houses, and accessory dwelling units may qualify where the City ordinance and zoning standards allow the use. A written property-level determination should precede a purchase contingency deadline.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Approval

Beaufort conditional-use approval

The City short-term-rental packet uses a conditional-use application. The filing should match the legal owner, parcel, dwelling configuration, floor plan, parking plan, and proposed occupancy. Approval conditions become operating constraints for the property.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Licensing

Beaufort business licensing

An approved short-term rental also needs the applicable City business license before paid stays begin. Ownership or operating changes can affect approvals and accounts, so acquisition planning should include the post-closing filing sequence.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Safety

Beaufort property safety review

Lawful bedrooms, exits, alarms, electrical and building work, parking, and occupancy should match approved records. Open permits or unapproved conversions can add cost and delay the operating timeline.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Operations

Beaufort guest operations

House rules should implement the approved occupancy, parking, trash, noise, and local-response requirements. Reservation records and written operating procedures help document consistent compliance.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Taxes

South Carolina lodging taxes

Short stays can trigger South Carolina sales and accommodations taxes plus applicable local obligations. The underwriting model should separate taxes collected by a marketplace from amounts the operator must register, collect, file, and remit.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Underwriting

Beaufort property-level underwriting

Build revenue from documented property-specific comparable stays and conservative booked-night assumptions. Include purchase closing costs, required work, furnishing, licensing, taxes, insurance, utilities, cleaning, management, maintenance, reserves, financing, and downtime.

Apply the rule to the exact parcel and preserve the supporting approval or record in the acquisition file.

Contacts and support

Beaufort STR Contacts

City Business License staff handle the short-term-rental application at 843-525-7025 and buslicense@cityofbeaufort.org. The City short-term-rental office remains the authority for eligibility and conditional-use approval.

STR Search assists with property selection and setup. City and state agencies control legal approvals and tax accounts.

Beaufort short-term-rental program

Book a Beaufort property review

Sources and review

Beaufort Official Sources

Official City and state materials establish the application, licensing, and tax framework.

Use the current forms and instructions for the selected address and operating entity.

Beaufort operating and investment questions

Beaufort Airbnb FAQs

How do I start an Airbnb in Beaufort, South Carolina?

Start with the district cap and the exact property.

  • Confirm the address is in Town, identify its STR district, and ask whether the district is currently accepting licenses.
  • Then complete the business-license packet, safety permit and inspection, STR agreement, accommodations agreement, fees, and tax registrations before renting.
Are new short-term-rental licenses available in every Beaufort district?

No; availability depends on the district cap.

  • Ordinance 2024-19 bars issuance when a new license would push the district above 6% of residential dwellings.
  • The March 24, 2026 packet snapshot showed Districts 1 and 2 above their listed caps and Districts 3, 4, and 5 below; verify current counts with the Town.
Do I need a Beaufort business license for an Airbnb?

Yes.

  • The Town requires a current business license for owners renting residential property on a short-term or long-term basis.
  • The STR packet states that a property may not be rented until the application and inspection process is complete and a Beaufort business license is issued.
What does the Beaufort STR application require?

The Town packet combines licensing, safety, and tax documents.

  • Submit the business-license application, Beaufort County affidavit, state-issued ID, signed STR agreement, signed third-party accommodations agreement, and applicable fees.
  • Also apply for the safety permit with an escape plan and exterior photographs, then pass the inspection.
How many guests can stay in a Beaufort short-term rental?

Adult occupancy depends on the dwelling type.

  • A whole dwelling is limited to two adults per bedroom plus two.
  • An accessory dwelling unit is limited to four adults plus two, regardless of bedroom count; confirm the approved floor plan and lawful bedroom count.
What parking and noise rules apply to Beaufort STRs?

The rental agreement must communicate operating limits.

  • Provide on-site parking on an improved surface and state the number of spaces; off-site parking is allowed only in the ordinance’s limited thoroughfare scenario.
  • The Town noise ordinance applies from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and gatherings of 25 or more are prohibited.
Do I need a local property manager in Beaufort?

Some non-occupant owners do.

  • If the owner does not occupy the premises and lives more than 100 miles away, the application must identify a local property manager.
  • That manager must be able to appear at the STR within three hours after notice of a complaint.
What taxes apply to a Beaufort Airbnb?

State and Town obligations must be evaluated separately.

  • South Carolina generally imposes 5% sales tax plus 2% accommodations tax on sleeping accommodations rented for fewer than 90 consecutive days, plus applicable local taxes.
  • Beaufort requires a monthly accommodations filing by the 20th, including the required platform report when a named marketplace remits local tax.
Can Beaufort suspend a short-term-rental license?

Yes.

  • The ordinance assigns points for convictions involving noise, parking, disorderly conduct, and unsanitary conditions at the STR.
  • Sixteen points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months results in a 12-month suspension, subject to appeal.
What should I verify before buying a Beaufort Airbnb property?

Underwrite the exact parcel and lawful operation.

  • Confirm Town jurisdiction, current district capacity, legal dwelling and bedroom status, parking, safety work, licenses, taxes, private restrictions, insurance, and coastal exposure.
  • Use property-specific comparable evidence and written approval contingencies rather than unsupported citywide revenue, occupancy, or ROI claims.
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