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Markets/Charleston, SC

Charleston Airbnb and Vrbo Calculator: Rules and Taxes

Estimate cash flow for an Airbnb or Vrbo in Charleston, SC, then check local rules and taxes. The editable presets are illustrative inputs.

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Check Charleston rules and official sources

Market context and seasonality

Charleston has a historic downtown, nearby beaches and acclaimed restaurants. The city draws couples and food lovers. Start with the preloaded Charleston example inputs, then change the nightly rate, occupancy, purchase price, and expenses to match your property.

Charleston STR market highlights

  • 1James Beard award-winning restaurant scene
  • 2Historic downtown and plantations draw history tourists
  • 3Folly Beach and Isle of Palms add beach properties to the market

Seasonality in Charleston

Peak seasons are March-June and September-November. Summer is warm, but beach demand helps. Winter is slower.

Charleston rules and taxes

Permit or license
Do not advertise or operate until approvals and inspections are complete and the city issues the Certificate of Operation and corresponding Business License. STR permits renew annually.
Primary residence and zoning
The residential STR path applies to a homeowner's primary residence, with category-specific location requirements. Commercial STRs have a separate application. Confirm the correct category and property eligibility with city zoning.
Lodging and sales taxes
Charleston lists sales and accommodations taxes for STRs, with different local schedules depending on the county. Confirm the property's schedule and who remits each tax.

Last verified

Verification scope: We verified the city permit/business-license prerequisite, annual permit renewal and the residential primary-residence path. We did not verify the combined tax rate or category-specific parcel eligibility.

Confirm the property's jurisdiction, eligibility and tax obligations with the listed authorities before buying or listing.

Nearby markets

Savannah, GA

Nightly-rate preset: $195

Myrtle Beach, SC

Nightly-rate preset: $175

Destin, FL

Nightly-rate preset: $275

Frequently asked questions

What's a good cash-on-cash return for Airbnb in Charleston?
There is no single good cash-on-cash return for every Charleston short-term rental. Compare the calculator's projected return with your financing costs, alternatives, risk tolerance, and the property's break-even occupancy. Replace the preset with property-specific costs and current comparable listings before deciding.
What's the average nightly rate for Airbnb in Charleston?
This calculator starts with $225 per night as an illustrative STR Numbers input, not a live or cited market average. Current rates vary by property size, location, amenities, and seasonality, so replace it with recent comparable listings.
What occupancy rate can I expect in Charleston?
The calculator uses 64% occupancy as an illustrative input, not a forecast for a specific property. Check current local comps and test a conservative downside case.
Is Charleston a good market for Airbnb investing?
Charleston is a urban market in the Southeast region. The calculator's $575,000 home-price preset is an illustrative input, not a current market valuation. Verify the property, comparable listings, and local rules before investing.

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City preset values are estimates for educational purposes only. See full disclaimer