Myrtle Beach Short Term Rental Regulations 2026 Shake Owners
- 01. Myrtle Beach short term rental regulations 2026 explained
- 02. Core definition and zoning rules
- 03. Licensing, permits, and annual compliance
- 04. Tax and fee obligations in 2026
- 05. Maximum penalties and enforcement
- 06. New zoning overlay and conversion rules
- 07. Safety, occupancy, and noise standards
Myrtle Beach short term rental regulations 2026 explained
In Myrtle Beach as of 2026, short-term rentals are legal but tightly regulated: owners must obtain a city business license, operate only in permitted zoning districts (mostly Resort Residential and RMV corridors, not traditional R-zoned neighborhoods), keep each stay under 90 days, collect a combined 10% lodging tax, and comply with new rules that cap conversions between short-term and long-term uses in key coastal blocks. Violations can draw fines up to $500 per offense and possibly criminal penalties.
Core definition and zoning rules
In Myrtle Beach code, any occupancy shorter than 90 days is treated as a short-term rental, which triggers licensing, tax, and zoning rules separate from standard landlord-tenant law. This threshold applies whether the booking is on platform-based marketplaces such as Airbnb/VRBO or handled directly by the owner.
- Short-term rentals are generally prohibited in most traditional residential zoning districts (standard R-designations) unless the district is specifically RMV ("Residential Multifamily Visitor").
- Permitted districts include Resort Residential (RR), Limited Industrial (LI), and selected RMV corridors, which are concentrated along the main tourist-corridor strips east of Kings Highway.
- High-density, non-residential areas like hotel strips and mixed-use downtown pockets are largely preserved for short-term use; the city has in recent years tightened what can be converted to long-term rentals in these zones.
Historically, by 2024 the city had fewer than 30 grandfathered homes in purely residential zones that were allowed to keep operating as short-term rentals because they had been continuously used that way before the restrictive zoning took full effect. New residential developments in classic R-zones are effectively closed to new short-term conversions.
Licensing, permits, and annual compliance
Every Myrtle Beach short-term owner must first secure a city business license tied to the property's gross receipts, with fees scaled so large, multi-unit buildings pay more than single-family homes. The application is available online via the City Council / Business License Division web portal, but paper submissions in person at the City Services Building (921 North Oak Street) remain valid.
The licensing workflow in 2026 is effectively a four-step checklist that most operators follow each year:
- Submit a completed business-license application with proof of ownership, floor plan, and evidence the property meets fire-code and occupancy standards.
- Register for state and local tax accounts (South Carolina Department of Revenue for state lodging tax, plus Myrtle Beach Business License Division for the local accommodation tax).
- Collect a combined 10% lodging tax (7% state plus 3% local) on all short-term bookings and remit it quarterly or monthly depending on volume.
- Renew the city business license annually before expiration, updating any change in ownership, unit count, or management agent.
A city spokesperson in early 2026 noted that roughly 85% of active short-term licenses are renewed on time, while the rest are flagged for possible non-compliance or delinquent tax filings. The city also cross-checks platform data with its license database, which has led to more proactive enforcement since 2023.
Tax and fee obligations in 2026
The lodging-tax framework in 2026 keeps the total burden at about 10% of gross rental income, split between the state and the city. The South Carolina Department of Revenue handles the 7% state lodging tax, while Myrtle Beach collects 3% as a local accommodation tax. In addition, some properties may pay a Horry County hospitality or tourism surcharge, depending on exact location and county-level agreements.
Operators must:
- Collect the tax at the time of booking or check-in, itemizing it on guest invoices.
- File returns with the state revenue department electronically, even if the platform remits on their behalf.
- Return the local Myrtle Beach tax directly to the city's Business License Division using the city's online portal.
Recent audits show that about 12% of short-term listings in the 2024-2025 review cycle had underreported lodging tax, mostly due to manual hosts not updating their tax configuration after the city's 2023 rate realignment. The city now issues warnings before initiating formal penalties, although repeat offenders face stepped-up enforcement.
Maximum penalties and enforcement
Myrtle Beach has a clear maximum-penalty schedule for short-term violations: each substantiated offense can draw up to $500 in fines and/or up to 30 days in jail, although jail time is typically reserved for flagrant, repeated violations or cases involving safety-code breaches. The city pairs these penalties with administrative sanctions, such as license suspension or revocation.
| Violation type | Typical enforcement action | Max penalty per offense |
|---|---|---|
| Operating without a valid city business license | Notice to cease + 30-day compliance window | $500 |
| Failure to collect or remit lodging tax | First-violation warning + mandatory audit | $500 |
| Hosting in a non-permitted zoning district | Order to convert to long-term or cease short-term use | $500 and/or 30 days |
| Repeated safety or noise violations | License suspension + onsite inspection | $500 plus repeat-offender tiering |
In 2025 the city processed roughly 150 short-term enforcement cases, with about 60% resolved through warnings or negotiated compliance plans rather than maximum-penalty orders. The city's emphasis is on "compliance first, citation second," but enforcement has visibly tightened since the 2024 zoning overlay that froze many coastal conversions.
New zoning overlay and conversion rules
Beginning in early 2025, Myrtle Beach enacted a zoning overlay that now bans certain short-term buildings from converting to long-term residential use in the core tourist corridor. The overlay covers roughly 114 city blocks east of Kings Highway stretching from the intersection of Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard to Grande Dunes Boulevard, effectively locking a large share of the beachfront and near-ocean inventory into short-term or commercial-hotel use.
- The rule applies to structures built for or used for short-term rentals of less than 90 days, generally those with more than two units.
- Existing long-term businesses with valid long-term business licenses before the overlay can continue as long-term; the ban targets new conversions, not legacy leases.
- A prior 270-day moratorium on short-to-long conversions (April 2024-January 2025) was effectively replaced by this permanent zoning restriction.
City planning staff reported in 2026 that the overlay has reduced the number of short-term-bound buildings applying for long-term rezoning by about 90% compared to pre-moratorium levels. The policy is framed as a tool to stabilize the tourism-driven housing stock and limit the loss of visitor-oriented units in the most amenity-rich blocks.
Safety, occupancy, and noise standards
Alongside zoning and tax rules, Myrtle Beach enforces occupancy and safety standards analogous to hotel codes. Each unit must meet minimum square-footage per occupant, have working smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, and pass periodic fire inspections. Multi-unit buildings are expected to provide clear escape routes and accessible exits, with records reviewable by the city.
Occupancy limits are typically set at:
- Two guests per bedroom plus one additional guest for the household, up to a maximum that aligns with the unit's fire-code occupancy rating.
- On-site or designated local emergency contact for guests, which may be required for larger complexes or multi-building sites.
Noise and conduct rules are enforced under the city's general disturbance and nuisance ordinances. Many short-term hosts are expected to provide guests with a "good neighbor agreement" outlining quiet hours (commonly 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.), trash-removal expectations, and parking rules. Violations can lead to citations for the owner or manager, even if the immediate offender is the guest.
Expert answers to Myrtle Beach Short Term Rental Regulations 2026 Shake Owners queries
What is considered a short-term rental in Myrtle Beach 2026?
A short-term rental in Myrtle Beach is defined as any rental where the tenant or guest occupies the property for fewer than 90 days. This threshold applies whether the booking is arranged through a platform marketplace or via a direct lease from the owner.
Do I need a license to run an Airbnb in Myrtle Beach?
Yes. Every Myrtle Beach short-term operator must obtain a city business license before listing or renting. The license is based on gross receipts and must be renewed annually, with the property also meeting zoning and safety requirements.
Can I legally rent my single-family home short term in a residential neighborhood?
Generally, no. Standard residential zoning districts in Myrtle Beach prohibit short-term rentals except in areas specifically designated as RMV or other permitted categories; most single-family homes in classic R-zones are not in these corridors and may only be grandfathered into short-term use if they meet the legacy-use criteria.
What is the tax rate for short-term rentals in Myrtle Beach?
The combined lodging-tax rate for short-term rentals in Myrtle Beach is 10% of gross rental income, composed of a 7% state lodging tax and a 3% local accommodation tax. Operators must collect this from guests and remit it to the appropriate state and city authorities.
What happens if I rent without a business license or tax registration?
Operating without a valid city business license or while failing to register for lodging-tax collection can result in a fine of up to $500 per violation and, in recurrent cases, possible criminal penalties and license revocation.
Are there limits on how many nights I can rent per year?
Myrtle Beach does not impose an annual cap on the total number of nights a property can be rented short term as long as each stay is under 90 days and all zoning, licensing, tax, and safety rules are followed.
Can I convert a short-term rental building to long-term apartments in 2026?
In many areas, particularly the 114-block overlay along the beach between Highway 17 and Grande Dunes Boulevard, new conversions from short-term to long-term in eligible buildings are prohibited. Existing long-term licenses predating the ordinance are grandfathered, but new short-term-oriented buildings cannot simply switch to long-term in these zones.
How has Myrtle Beach enforcement changed since 2023?
Enforcement of Myrtle Beach short-term rental regulations has become more systematic since 2023, with increased data-sharing between platforms and the city business-license office, more frequent audits of tax filings, and stricter follow-up on zoning violations reported by neighbors.
What proof of ownership or documentation is required to get a license?
Applicants typically submit proof of ownership or a valid lease from the fee owner, a property floor plan, and documentation that the unit meets fire-code and occupancy standards. Some multi-unit complexes may also need a parking plan and site-plan drawing.
Do I need to collect taxes if I only rent a few days per year?
Under South Carolina rules, you may be exempt from state lodging-tax registration if you rent for fewer than 15 days in a taxable year or if you rent six bedrooms or fewer in a home you own and live in, provided you bypass platforms and do not regularly advertise as a short-term rental. However, local Myrtle Beach rules still require compliance with city licensing and zoning even for occasional short stays.