Is Surfside Beach, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, begin by researching local regulations through the Town of Surfside Beach Planning Department, as the town requires short-term rental permits and has specific zoning restrictions limiting rentals to certain residential areas with a maximum occupancy of 10 people per property. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Surfside Beach ($50-100 annually), a short-term rental permit ($200-300), and register for South Carolina sales tax collection with the Department of Revenue. Find a suitable property within approved zoning districts, typically single-family homes or condos at least 150 feet from the ocean due to setback requirements, with properties near the beach commanding $200-400 per night during peak summer season. Furnish the property with coastal-themed décor, essential amenities like linens, kitchen supplies, beach equipment (chairs, umbrellas, coolers), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes including smoke detectors and emergency exit plans. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local rental sites like Myrtle Beach Rentals, highlighting proximity to Surfside Pier, family-friendly beaches, and nearby attractions in Myrtle Beach. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests (typically $100-150 per turnover), implementing 24/7 guest communication, coordinating maintenance with local contractors familiar with coastal property challenges like salt air corrosion, and maintaining compliance with the town's noise ordinances and parking restrictions that limit vehicles to designated spaces only.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, focus on oceanfront or ocean-view properties within 2-3 blocks of the beach, particularly along Ocean Boulevard and nearby streets like Melody Lane and Dogwood Drive, as these command premium rates of $200-400 per night during peak summer season. Target 3-4 bedroom condos or beach houses with amenities like pools, hot tubs, updated kitchens, and parking, as families and groups comprise the primary market from May through September. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, noting that oceanfront units can achieve 70-80% occupancy rates with average daily rates 40-50% higher than properties more than 4 blocks inland. Research competition by studying listings within a 0.5-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, focusing on properties with similar bedroom counts and amenities, while noting that the market supports approximately 800-1000 active STR listings. Utilize tools like Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and local MLS data through Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors, while monitoring seasonal trends where summer months generate 60-70% of annual revenue, and consider properties near attractions like Surfside Pier and Family Kingdom Amusement Park that maintain stronger shoulder season performance.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, you must first apply through the Town of Surfside Beach Planning Department located at 115 US Highway 17 North or online through their municipal website. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan showing adequate spaces, contact information for a local property manager or 24-hour contact person, proof of liability insurance (minimum $300,000), and a business license from South Carolina Department of Revenue. The application fee is approximately $200 with an annual renewal fee of $150. The process typically takes 30-45 days for review and approval. Specific Surfside Beach requirements include maintaining a maximum occupancy of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring the property meets all building and fire codes, displaying the permit number in all advertisements, maintaining a guest registry, and having a designated local contact available 24/7 for noise complaints or emergencies. Properties must also comply with the town's noise ordinance and cannot be rented for less than 3 consecutive nights during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, but operate under specific municipal regulations that the town has implemented to balance tourism revenue with residential quality of life. The town requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances, with properties typically limited to a maximum number of guests based on bedrooms and available parking spaces. Surfside Beach prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and requires a minimum rental period of typically 3-7 days to prevent party-style bookings, while mandating that operators provide local contact information for 24-hour response to complaints. Recent changes around 2020-2022 have included stricter enforcement mechanisms, increased fines for violations, and enhanced registration requirements as the town has worked to address concerns from permanent residents about overcrowding and parking issues during peak summer months. The regulations are actively enforced through the town's code enforcement department, and violations can result in license suspension or revocation, making compliance essential for property owners operating vacation rentals in this popular Grand Strand beach community.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Surfside Beach, South Carolina include the oceanfront corridor along Ocean Boulevard and 1st through 15th Avenues North, which offer prime beach access and attract peak summer tourism from families seeking vacation rentals within walking distance of the sand. The Garden City Beach border area near the Surfside Pier provides excellent rental potential due to its proximity to fishing, dining, and entertainment venues that draw visitors year-round. The residential neighborhoods between Kings Highway (Highway 17) and the beach, particularly around 10th Avenue North and Melody Lane, offer strong investment opportunities as they provide easy beach access while maintaining lower property costs than direct oceanfront properties. The area near Surfside Beach's town center and municipal complex attracts visitors attending local events and festivals, while properties close to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk (just north) benefit from the area's renowned seafood dining scene and nightlife that extends visitor stays. The southern sections near the Litchfield Beach boundary are particularly attractive for investors as they offer quieter, family-oriented accommodations while still providing access to championship golf courses at Litchfield Country Club and Willbrook Plantation, creating demand from golf tourism that peaks during spring and fall shoulder seasons.

In Surfside Beach, South Carolina, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes that must be collected from guests and remitted to appropriate authorities. The South Carolina state accommodations tax is 2% of the gross rental receipts, while Horry County imposes an additional 1.5% accommodations tax, bringing the combined rate to 3.5% for short-term rentals under 90 days. The Town of Surfside Beach also levies a local accommodations tax of approximately 2%, making the total tax burden around 5.5% of gross rental income. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests in most cases and remitted to the South Carolina Department of Revenue monthly, though individual hosts may need to register and remit taxes themselves depending on their rental volume and Airbnb's collection agreements with local jurisdictions. Hosts must obtain a retail license from the South Carolina Department of Revenue and may need to register with Horry County for local tax collection, with returns generally due by the 20th of the month following the rental period. Exemptions typically apply to rentals of 90 days or longer, which are considered long-term leases rather than transient accommodations, and some jurisdictions may exempt rentals under certain dollar thresholds or frequency limits.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Surfside Beach, South Carolina is approximately $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase costs range from $350,000-$450,000 based on median home prices for vacation rental suitable properties near the beach. Furnishing costs typically run $25,000-$35,000 for a complete 3-4 bedroom beach house including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials cost around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees include business license ($50), short-term rental permit ($200), and potential HOA approval fees totaling approximately $500-$1,000. Insurance for short-term rentals runs $3,000-$5,000 annually, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service average $400-$600 monthly or $2,400-$3,600 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), supplies, maintenance, property management fees (if used at 15-25%), and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-$12,000. Additional considerations include potential property management software subscriptions, welcome amenities, and emergency repair funds that could add another $2,000-$5,000 to initial costs.

Airbnb properties in Surfside Beach, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues of $35,000-$65,000 for oceanfront units and $20,000-$40,000 for properties within 2-3 blocks of the beach, based on 2023-2024 market data. Operating expenses generally range from 40-55% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-150 per turnover), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($2,000-4,000 annually), and maintenance reserves. Net profit margins typically fall between 25-35% for well-managed properties, with oceanfront 3-4 bedroom homes achieving the highest returns due to premium nightly rates of $200-450 during peak summer months compared to $80-150 in off-season. Success factors include proximity to the beach (properties within 200 yards command 40-60% higher rates), modern amenities like pools and updated kitchens, professional photography, dynamic pricing strategies, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings. Properties managed by companies like Vacasa or RedAwning in the area report occupancy rates of 65-80% annually, with peak season (June-August) bookings often secured 3-6 months in advance, while shoulder seasons benefit from golf tourism and mild winter weather that extends the rental season compared to northern coastal markets.

Airbnb investments in Surfside Beach, South Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% based on current market conditions. Properties within 2-3 blocks of the beach command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer season (May-September) and $80-120 during off-season, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with gross rental yields averaging 15-20% before expenses. The market benefits from Surfside Beach's family-friendly reputation and proximity to Myrtle Beach attractions, supporting consistent demand from vacationers seeking quieter alternatives to busier resort areas. Properties purchased at $300,000-500,000 price points with 20-25% down payments generally achieve positive cash flow within 6-12 months when professionally managed and marketed effectively through multiple booking platforms.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Local real estate agents who focus on investment properties in the area include Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate, Century 21 The Harrelson Group, and RE/MAX Southern Shores, with agents like those at Surfside Realty and Grand Strand Properties having expertise in vacation rental investments. National services that help investors include Awning (formerly RedAwning), which provides full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, Mashvisor for market analysis and property recommendations, and BiggerPockets for networking and deal sourcing. AirDNA offers comprehensive market data and revenue projections for Surfside Beach properties, while companies like Vacasa and AvantStay provide property management services that can help investors evaluate potential returns. Local property management companies such as Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals and Beach Vacations specialize in short-term rental management and often assist investors in identifying profitable properties. Additionally, investment-focused platforms like Roofstock and Fundrise occasionally feature vacation rental properties in the South Carolina coastal market, and local mortgage brokers specializing in investment properties can be found through companies like Atlantic Coast Mortgage and First Citizens Bank.