Is Georgetown, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Georgetown, South Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Georgetown County Planning Department, as short-term rentals may require special permits or be restricted in certain residential zones. Contact Georgetown City Hall at (843) 545-4000 to obtain necessary business licenses and determine if you need a conditional use permit, which typically costs $200-500 and may require neighbor notification. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Georgetown's historic district regulations, as properties in the downtown area may have additional Historic Preservation Commission requirements. Once you secure a property, ensure it meets South Carolina's safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, then furnish it with coastal-themed decor appropriate for Georgetown's waterfront location, budgeting $15,000-25,000 for a complete setup. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting Georgetown's attractions like the historic waterfront, Kaminski House Museum, and proximity to Pawleys Island beaches. For management, consider hiring local cleaning services like Lowcountry Cleaning Solutions, install smart locks for keyless entry, and partner with Georgetown-based property management companies such as Coastal Property Management if you're not local. Register for South Carolina sales tax through the Department of Revenue and collect the state's 7% sales tax plus Georgetown County's 3% accommodations tax, remitting these monthly. Finally, obtain proper insurance coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ that specialize in short-term rental properties, as standard homeowner's insurance typically doesn't cover commercial activities.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Georgetown, South Carolina, focus on waterfront locations along the Sampit River, historic downtown properties within walking distance of the Georgetown Historic District, and homes near popular attractions like the Georgetown County Museum and Kaminski House Museum. Target 3-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with modern amenities, parking for 2+ vehicles, outdoor spaces like decks or patios, and unique features such as water views or historic charm that can command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak season (April-October). Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to evaluate average daily rates, occupancy rates (typically 60-75% for well-positioned properties), and seasonal demand patterns, while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO to identify gaps in amenities or pricing strategies. Utilize Georgetown County's tourism data, partner with local property management companies like Coastal Getaways or Grand Strand Resorts, and leverage tools like Rabbu for market analysis and PriceLabs for dynamic pricing to optimize revenue potential in this growing coastal market that benefits from proximity to Charleston (60 miles) and Myrtle Beach (45 miles).

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Georgetown, South Carolina, you must first contact the Georgetown County Planning Department at 129 Screven Street, Georgetown, SC 29440, or call (843) 545-3058 to initiate the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, a site plan or survey of the property, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), a business license from Georgetown County, and payment of applicable fees which generally range from $150-300 for the initial permit plus annual renewal fees of approximately $100-200. You must also provide documentation showing compliance with fire safety codes, including smoke detectors in all bedrooms and common areas, carbon monoxide detectors if applicable, and fire extinguishers. The property must meet all zoning requirements and may require a conditional use permit depending on the specific zoning district, which involves a public hearing process that can add 30-60 days to the timeline. The standard processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for complete applications, though this can extend to 8-12 weeks if zoning variances or conditional use permits are required. Georgetown County also requires STR operators to maintain a local contact person available 24/7, limit occupancy based on bedroom count (typically 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional), provide adequate parking (usually 1 space per bedroom), and comply with noise ordinances and waste management requirements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Georgetown, South Carolina, but operate under specific municipal regulations that require property owners to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions. The city allows STRs in most residential areas but prohibits them in certain historic districts and requires properties to meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress routes. Georgetown requires STR operators to register their properties, maintain liability insurance, and limit occupancy based on bedroom count, while also mandating that properties be owner-occupied or have a local contact person available 24/7 for guest issues. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and parking requirements, with the city implementing a complaint-driven system that can result in license revocation for repeat violations. Properties must also comply with state tax collection requirements and Georgetown County's accommodation tax, with violations potentially resulting in fines up to $500 per incident.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Georgetown, South Carolina include the Historic Downtown District along Front Street and Cannon Street, which attracts tourists year-round with its antebellum architecture, waterfront views, and proximity to the Georgetown Harbor Walk and Rice Museum. The Harborwalk area near the Sampit River offers excellent potential due to its scenic waterfront location, restaurants, and boat tour departures that draw visitors exploring the Lowcountry's maritime heritage. The East Bay Street corridor provides strong investment opportunities with its mix of historic charm and walkability to attractions like the Kaminski House Museum and downtown shops. Properties near Hobcaw Barony and the Belle W. Baruch Institute benefit from eco-tourism and research visitors, while areas close to Georgetown County Airport capture business travelers and those accessing nearby Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach. The neighborhoods around Winyah Bay offer water access and fishing opportunities that appeal to recreational visitors, and properties within walking distance of the Georgetown Landing Marina attract boating enthusiasts and yacht owners visiting the area's numerous creeks and waterways.

In Georgetown, South Carolina, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The South Carolina state accommodations tax is 2% of gross rental receipts, while Georgetown County imposes an additional local accommodations tax of approximately 3%, bringing the total accommodations tax to around 5%. Additionally, the standard South Carolina sales tax of 6% applies to short-term rental income, plus any applicable local sales taxes which typically add another 1-2%, resulting in a combined sales and accommodations tax burden of approximately 12-13%. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking when using platforms like Airbnb, which automatically remits state taxes but may require hosts to separately remit local taxes to Georgetown County. Hosts must register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and obtain a retail license, file monthly returns by the 20th of the following month, and may need to register separately with Georgetown County for local tax collection. Properties rented for 90 consecutive days or more to the same guest are typically exempt from accommodations taxes, and some jurisdictions provide exemptions for rentals to permanent residents, though specific Georgetown exemptions should be verified with local tax authorities as regulations can change frequently.

Starting an Airbnb in Georgetown, South Carolina requires approximately $285,000-$320,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs average $180,000-$200,000 based on median home prices in the Georgetown area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic amenities total around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but generally include business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit ($200-$500), and potential HOA approval fees totaling $500-$1,000. Insurance for short-term rentals costs approximately $1,500-$2,500 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable run $500-$800 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($200-$300/month), cleaning services ($75-$100 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $4,000-$6,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Georgetown, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $25,000-$45,000 for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$150 depending on proximity to the historic waterfront district and seasonal demand from tourists visiting Hobcaw Barony and Georgetown's antebellum architecture. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25% if outsourced), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-5,000 yearly. Properties within walking distance of Front Street's restaurants and the Harborwalk command premium rates during peak season (April-October), with successful hosts like those operating renovated historic homes near the Georgetown County Museum reporting profit margins of 25-35% after all expenses. Key success factors include professional photography showcasing Georgetown's charm, competitive pricing during shrimp festival and plantation tour seasons, and maintaining high cleanliness standards, with top-performing properties typically achieving 80%+ occupancy rates and generating net profits of $12,000-$18,000 annually on properties valued between $200,000-$350,000.

Airbnb investments in Georgetown, 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 historic Charleston (45 minutes), Pawleys Island beaches, and the growing tourism market along the Grand Strand. Properties in downtown Georgetown's historic district and waterfront areas command premium nightly rates of $120-180, while suburban properties average $80-120 per night, with occupancy rates of 65-75% annually due to steady visitor traffic from Brookgreen Gardens, Georgetown Harbor, and seasonal beach tourism. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years, with monthly gross rental income averaging $2,800-4,200 for well-positioned properties, though investors should account for Georgetown County's 2% accommodations tax, property management fees of 20-25%, and seasonal fluctuations where summer months (June-August) generate 40% of annual revenue while winter months see 50-60% occupancy drops.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Georgetown, South Carolina, providing market analytics and investment insights. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments in Georgetown include Coldwell Banker Chicora Advantage agents who focus on vacation rental properties, and Century 21 The Harrelson Group agents with expertise in coastal investment properties. Keller Williams Realty agents in the Georgetown area also assist investors in finding properties suitable for short-term rentals near the historic waterfront and Pawleys Island vicinity. National services include AirDNA for market data analysis, Mashvisor for investment property analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services for Airbnb investments, while local property management companies like Coastal Vacation Rentals and Georgetown County Beach Rentals offer specialized services for short-term rental properties. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Awning (now part of RedAwning) also facilitate Airbnb property acquisitions in the South Carolina coastal market, with Georgetown being an attractive location due to its proximity to Myrtle Beach and historic charm attracting tourists year-round.