Is Garden City, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Garden City, South Carolina, begin by researching local regulations through Horry County's zoning department and the City of Garden City Beach, as short-term rentals may require special permits or fall under specific zoning classifications, particularly since Garden City is primarily a beach resort community with existing vacation rental infrastructure. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Horry County, accommodations tax license for collecting the 12% local accommodations tax, and potentially a conditional use permit if your property isn't in a zone that allows short-term rentals by right. Find a suitable property within 1-2 blocks of the beach for maximum appeal, focusing on condos or beach houses in areas like Surfside Beach or Garden City Beach proper, with prices ranging from $200,000-$800,000 depending on proximity to ocean and size. Furnish the property with coastal-themed, durable furniture suitable for sandy beach guests, including outdoor furniture, beach equipment like chairs and umbrellas, and ensure all safety requirements are met including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency contact information. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local rental companies like Garden City Realty or Surfside Realty, with competitive pricing around $150-$400 per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider hiring a property management company like Vacasa or RedAwning if you're not local, while maintaining compliance with noise ordinances and parking restrictions that are strictly enforced in this densely populated beach community.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Garden City, South Carolina, focus on oceanfront or ocean-view properties within walking distance of the beach, particularly along Waccamaw Drive and Atlantic Avenue, as proximity to Garden City Pier and beach access points drives highest occupancy rates. Target 3-4 bedroom condos or beach houses with modern amenities, pools, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 6-10 guests, as families and groups generate premium rates of $150-400 per night during peak summer season. Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 0.5-mile radius, noting seasonal pricing patterns where summer rates can be 200-300% higher than winter months, and calculate potential annual revenue of $35,000-75,000 for well-positioned properties. Research competition density using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify undersupplied areas, while monitoring new condo developments and HOA restrictions that may limit STR operations. Utilize local market data from Myrtle Beach MLS, consult with Garden City realty firms like Surfside Realty and Century 21, and leverage tools like Rabbu and PriceLabs for dynamic pricing optimization, while ensuring properties meet Horry County's short-term rental licensing requirements and business tax obligations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Garden City, South Carolina, you must first contact the Horry County Planning and Zoning Department since Garden City falls under county jurisdiction, located at 1301 2nd Avenue in Conway, SC. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), business license from South Carolina Department of Revenue, and a site plan. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an additional $75 annual renewal fee. You must also obtain a business license from Horry County ($50-100) and register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes. The property must meet specific requirements including maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), proper septic system capacity verification, and compliance with residential zoning restrictions. The approval process typically takes 30-45 days after submission of complete application materials. Once approved, you must display the permit number in all advertising, collect and remit accommodations taxes (2% local plus 1.5% state), and maintain records of all bookings for inspection purposes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Garden City, South Carolina, but operate under Horry County's regulations since Garden City is an unincorporated community within the county. Horry County requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress routes. The county prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and requires a minimum distance between rental properties in some areas. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced penalties for violations, particularly regarding noise complaints and overcrowding. Operators must also collect and remit accommodations taxes, and properties are subject to regular inspections. While not completely prohibited, the regulatory framework has become more stringent in response to community concerns about impacts on residential neighborhoods, with Garden City Beach area seeing particular scrutiny due to its dense vacation rental market.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Garden City, South Carolina are the oceanfront district along Waccamaw Drive and Ocean Boulevard, which attracts beach tourists year-round and commands premium rates during summer months and spring break seasons. The Garden City Pier area is particularly lucrative due to its proximity to fishing activities, restaurants, and beach access, drawing both leisure travelers and fishing enthusiasts. The Surfside Beach border area offers excellent potential as it captures overflow from the more expensive Myrtle Beach market while providing similar beach amenities at lower property acquisition costs. The residential neighborhoods near Huntington Beach State Park, such as areas around Murrells Inlet, are attractive for nature-focused travelers and families seeking quieter alternatives to busy Myrtle Beach, especially during bird watching seasons and state park events. Properties near the Garden City Connector and Highway 17 provide good investment opportunities for business travelers visiting nearby industrial facilities and medical centers, while also serving leisure guests who prefer slightly inland locations with easier highway access and lower nightly rate expectations.

Garden City, South Carolina imposes a local accommodations tax of 2% on short-term rental properties including Airbnb, which is collected in addition to the state accommodations tax of 2% for a combined rate of 4%. The Horry County accommodations tax adds another 1.5%, bringing the total accommodations tax to 5.5%. Additionally, standard South Carolina sales tax of 6% applies to lodging, plus local sales taxes that can add approximately 1-3% depending on the specific jurisdiction within Garden City. Airbnb typically collects and remits these taxes automatically for hosts through their platform as of 2019, though hosts should verify this coverage and may need to register directly with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and Horry County if operating multiple properties or if automatic collection doesn't apply. Tax remittance is generally due monthly by the 20th of the following month, with quarterly filing options available for smaller operators. Exemptions typically include stays longer than 90 consecutive days and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though hosts must maintain proper documentation to claim these exemptions.

To start an Airbnb in Garden City, South Carolina, expect total costs around $420,000-$480,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $350,000-$400,000 for a median 3-bedroom beach house or condo near the coast. Furnishing costs typically run $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and coastal décor appropriate for vacation rentals. Initial setup costs add $3,000-$5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic amenities like toiletries and cleaning supplies. Permits and fees total approximately $1,500-$2,500 including business license, short-term rental permit, fire safety inspection, and any HOA approval fees. Insurance costs $2,000-$3,500 annually for short-term rental coverage that protects against guest damages and liability. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service average $300-$500 monthly or $1,800-$3,000 for six months. First six months operating costs add $8,000-$12,000 covering cleaning services between guests, maintenance, property management software, marketing, restocking supplies, and potential vacancy periods during slower seasons.

Airbnb properties in Garden City, South Carolina demonstrate strong profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $150-300 during peak summer season and $80-120 in off-season months. Properties within 0.5 miles of the beach typically generate $35,000-55,000 in annual gross revenue, while inland properties earn $20,000-35,000 annually. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($75-100 per turnover), property management (20-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-350 monthly), insurance ($1,500-2,500 annually), and maintenance ($3,000-5,000 yearly) typically consume 45-60% of gross revenue. Successful properties achieve net profit margins of 25-40%, with oceanfront condos and beach houses performing best due to Garden City's popularity as a Myrtle Beach alternative. Key success factors include professional photography, dynamic pricing strategies, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings, and offering amenities like beach gear, golf cart access, and proximity to popular fishing piers. Properties managed by companies like Vacasa and RedAwning in the area report occupancy rates of 65-80% during peak months (May-September), with the strongest performers being 3-4 bedroom homes that can accommodate families and groups visiting for golf tournaments, fishing excursions, and summer beach vacations.

Airbnb investments in Garden City, South Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the area's proximity to Murrells Inlet and Huntington Beach State Park which attract consistent vacation rental demand. Properties within 2-3 blocks of the beach or waterfront access points command premium nightly rates of $150-280 during peak summer months (June-August) and $80-140 during shoulder seasons, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties under $400,000, while higher-end beachfront properties may require 24-36 months to reach consistent profitability due to larger down payments and carrying costs. The market benefits from Garden City's established vacation rental infrastructure, proximity to Myrtle Beach attractions, and strong repeat visitor patterns, though investors should factor in seasonal fluctuations, hurricane insurance costs averaging $3,000-5,000 annually, and local short-term rental regulations that may impact operating flexibility.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment properties across markets including Garden City, South Carolina. Local real estate agents in the Myrtle Beach area such as Century 21 The Harrelson Group, RE/MAX Southern Shores, and Coldwell Banker Chicora Advantage have experience with vacation rental properties in Garden City and surrounding beach communities. National services like Mashvisor, BiggerPockets, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification tools for Airbnb investors targeting the South Carolina coast. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that can help investors identify suitable properties while providing ongoing management. Local companies such as Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals and Elliott Realty have deep market knowledge of the Grand Strand area including Garden City. Additional national platforms like Roofstock, HomeUnion, and Awning focus on turnkey rental property investments and can source properties in the Garden City market for out-of-state investors looking to capitalize on the area's strong vacation rental demand.