Is Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, begin by researching local regulations as the city requires short-term rental permits and limits rentals to properties where the owner lives on-site or within 2 miles, with a maximum of 10 guests and parking for each bedroom plus one additional space. Apply for a business license through the City of Mount Pleasant ($50-100 annually) and obtain a short-term rental permit ($200-300), ensuring your property meets fire safety codes and has proper smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Find a suitable property in desirable neighborhoods like Old Village, Park West, or near Shem Creek, considering proximity to beaches, restaurants, and Charleston attractions, with typical investment properties ranging $300,000-800,000. Furnish the space with coastal-themed decor, quality mattresses, linens, fully equipped kitchen, WiFi, smart TV, and essential amenities like beach chairs, towels, and local guidebooks, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting waterfront views, proximity to beaches and Charleston (10 minutes), and include detailed house rules about noise, parking, and guest limits, setting competitive rates of $150-400 per night depending on size and location. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests ($75-150 per cleaning), responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating check-ins/check-outs, maintaining the property regularly, and ensuring compliance with city occupancy limits and noise ordinances while building positive reviews to increase bookings in this competitive Charleston-area market.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of popular attractions like Patriots Point Naval Museum, Shem Creek waterfront dining, and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, while prioritizing properties in established neighborhoods such as Old Village, Park West, and Belle Hall that offer easy access to downtown Charleston via Highway 17. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes with 2+ bathrooms, parking for multiple vehicles, outdoor spaces like decks or patios, and modern amenities including updated kitchens, WiFi capability, and air conditioning, as these features command premium rates of $150-300 per night depending on proximity to water and downtown Charleston. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to evaluate average daily rates, occupancy percentages, and seasonal demand patterns, noting that Mount Pleasant typically sees peak rates during spring and fall months when Charleston tourism surges. Research competition by analyzing similar properties within a 1-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing strategies while monitoring properties managed by companies like RedAwning and Vacasa to understand professional management approaches. Utilize tools such as Rabbu for rental income projections, STR Helper for market analysis, the Town of Mount Pleasant's zoning maps to ensure STR compliance, and Charleston County property records through the assessor's website to evaluate purchase prices and property taxes that will impact overall profitability calculations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, you must first apply through the Town of Mount Pleasant Planning Department located at 100 Ann Edwards Lane. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate spaces, contact information for a local responsible party within 30 miles, general liability insurance certificate for minimum $1 million coverage, and business license from Charleston County. The application fee is approximately $200 with an annual renewal fee of $150. You must also obtain a business license from Charleston County which costs around $50-100 depending on property value. The property must comply with zoning requirements (prohibited in some residential districts), maintain maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, provide adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), and ensure the responsible party can respond within 60 minutes to complaints. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days after submitting a complete application. Once approved, you must display the permit number in all advertising and maintain compliance with noise ordinances, trash collection schedules, and quarterly reporting requirements to the town.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. As of 2023, Mount Pleasant requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit short-term rentals to certain residential districts while prohibiting them in some neighborhoods. The city has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances specifically for STRs, with properties typically limited to a maximum of 8-10 occupants depending on the property size. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement mechanisms and enhanced complaint procedures for neighbors, along with requirements for local contact persons to be available 24/7. The city has also established buffer zones in some areas to prevent over-concentration of rental properties, and certain historic or environmentally sensitive areas may have additional restrictions, with violations subject to fines and potential license revocation.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina include the Old Village neighborhood, which attracts tourists with its historic charm, antebellum homes, and proximity to Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek's waterfront dining scene. The Park West area offers excellent potential due to its newer developments, family-friendly amenities, and easy access to both Charleston and the beaches, making it popular with business travelers and vacation families. The Belle Hall shopping district provides strong rental demand from visitors seeking upscale accommodations near premium shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Properties near Shem Creek are highly desirable for their waterfront views, seafood restaurants, and marina activities that draw both leisure tourists and local event attendees. The Dunes West area appeals to golf enthusiasts and luxury travelers due to its championship golf courses and upscale residential developments. Finally, areas close to Patriots Point Naval Museum benefit from steady tourism traffic visiting the USS Yorktown and hosting corporate events, while also capturing overflow demand from Charleston's booming tourism industry, particularly during peak seasons and major events like Spoleto Festival.

In Mount Pleasant, 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 Charleston County imposes an additional 2% accommodations tax, bringing the total to approximately 4%. Mount Pleasant may also levy its own municipal accommodations tax of around 2-3%, potentially making the combined rate 6-7%. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system for participating jurisdictions, though hosts may need to register directly with the South Carolina Department of Revenue and local tax authorities if automatic collection isn't available. Remittance is generally required monthly by the 20th of the following month, with hosts needing to file returns even if no tax is owed. Properties rented for 90 consecutive days or more to the same guest are typically exempt from accommodations taxes, as are rentals to permanent residents. Hosts must obtain the necessary business licenses and may need to register for both state and local tax collection, with penalties applying for late filing or non-compliance.

To start an Airbnb in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, expect total costs of approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $550,000-$650,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run $1,500-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and any required inspections from Charleston County and Mount Pleasant municipal requirements. Insurance costs approximately $2,000-$4,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable total $500-$1,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($200-$300 monthly), cleaning services ($75-$150 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200-$400 monthly), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO (3% of bookings), and property management if outsourced (15-25% of revenue) can range $8,000-$15,000 depending on occupancy rates and seasonal demand in the Charleston area market.

Airbnb properties in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $35,000-$65,000 for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $120-$200 depending on proximity to Charleston attractions and waterfront access. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$100 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-$350 monthly), insurance ($1,500-$2,500 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-$5,000 yearly. Properties near Shem Creek and Patriots Point command premium rates due to dining and naval museum proximity, with some waterfront condos achieving 75-80% occupancy rates and net profit margins of 25-35%. Success factors include professional photography, rapid guest communication, strategic pricing during peak summer months and Charleston events, and maintaining properties within 10 miles of downtown Charleston for tourist appeal. Three-bedroom homes in neighborhoods like Old Village and Rivertowne typically outperform smaller units, with investors reporting ROI of 8-15% annually after mortgage payments, though properties purchased post-2021 face compressed margins due to inflated acquisition costs and increased local competition from corporate operators like Vacasa and RedAwning expanding their Mount Pleasant portfolios.

Based on Mount Pleasant, South Carolina market data, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property location and proximity to Charleston attractions. Properties near the Old Village or waterfront areas command higher nightly rates of $150-250, while suburban locations average $100-180 per night with 65-75% occupancy rates year-round due to consistent tourism and business travel to nearby Charleston. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, with full investment recovery expected in 6-8 years. The market benefits from Mount Pleasant's growing population, excellent schools attracting relocating families, and its position as a gateway to Charleston's historic district and beaches, with companies like Boeing and medical facilities driving consistent demand for short-term rentals.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment properties including in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Local real estate agents like those at Carolina One Real Estate, Dunes Properties, and William Means Real Estate have expertise in the Charleston area vacation rental market and can help identify properties with strong Airbnb potential in Mount Pleasant's desirable neighborhoods near beaches and downtown Charleston. National services include Mashvisor which provides Airbnb analytics and investment property data, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, and AirDNA for short-term rental market analysis and revenue projections. Local property management companies like RedAwning, Vacasa, and Charleston Hospitality Group can provide insights into which properties perform best as vacation rentals while also offering management services. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Fundrise have expanded into short-term rental markets, and local Charleston-area agents specializing in investment properties include teams at Keller Williams Realty and Coldwell Banker Realty who understand Mount Pleasant's zoning regulations and HOA restrictions that affect Airbnb operations.