Surfside Beach Local service guide

Short-term rental rules in Surfside Beach, SC

The short answer

Rental owners must follow the town business license, town zoning, and state accommodations tax rules.

Last verified August 12, 2026 · Source: Official sources linked in each section

Get a town business license

Surfside Beach treats every real estate rental as a business and requires businesses within town limits to hold an annual license.

Town of Surfside Beach business licensing

Check the property zoning

The current town code permits rentals shorter than 30 days only in the R-3 and C-3 zoning districts.

Surfside Beach Code of Ordinances, Section 17-396.10

Follow state accommodations tax rules

South Carolina accommodations tax applies to sleeping accommodations rented to a guest for fewer than 90 consecutive days.

An owner who books directly must collect and pay the tax for those bookings.

An owner who books directly must hold a state Retail License, subject to the limited-rental exception on the state page.

South Carolina Department of Revenue accommodations guidance

Use Horry County rules in Garden City

For a rental in unincorporated Garden City, Horry County requires each covered business to register and apply for a county business license.

Horry County also applies its local accommodations fee to transient lodging in unincorporated county areas.

Horry County Code of Ordinances, Section 12.5-96 · Horry County Code of Ordinances, Section 19-8

Care for a short-term rental

Vacation rental cleaning

Plan cleaning between guest stays and seasonal deep cleaning.

Read the vacation rental cleaning guide →

Home watch

Plan property checks during vacancies and storm season.

Read the home watch guide →