What we checked
- Hilton Head Island, SC's short-term-rental registration requirement
- Hilton Head Island, SC's lodging-tax requirement
- Whether the published rules are still current
What we found
- →A licence is required — $150 per bedroom
- →Lodging tax applies
- !Rules here changed recently — see what changed below
Read this before you list — these are rules you must confirm, not a verdict.
This page is informational, not legal advice, and not a guarantee. Only the
base zoning above is checked live, and even that is just the zone designation — not a ruling
that short-term rental is allowed at this address. Short-term-rental legality is mostly
decided by layers we do not verify here: city registration,
primary-residence requirements, night caps,
RSO / rent-stabilized & ADU restrictions, and your HOA or condo rules
(an HOA can ban STR even where the city allows it). Confirm every rule with the issuing
authority before you advertise or accept a booking.
Hilton Head Island, SC · free check
Short-term rental rules (preview)
What you get free: the city's core registration + lodging tax to confirm.
Full packet, fine exposure, and stage checklist are in the $49 report below.
Registration / license
Short-Term Rental Permit (rentals under 30 days) — an annual Town of Hilton Head Island Business License is also required, separately.
Cost$150 per bedroom
Issued byTown of Hilton Head Island · Short-Term Rental Staff ([email protected] / 843-341-4740) — apply via the Town's online permit portal
What changed — The permit/account number must appear on advertisements; an HOA approval letter and a site plan (trash + parking) may be required. Confirm who the permit may be issued to (person vs. entity), any residency or occupancy conditions, and all current requirements with the Town STR staff before applying.
Lodging / occupancy tax
Local Accommodations Tax + Beach Preservation Fee on transient stays (under 90 days), filed quarterly with the Town; SC state accommodations/sales tax is filed separately with the SC Department of Revenue (MyDORWAY)
RateTown page states 3% total (1% accommodations + 2% beach preservation) of gross rental; quarterly returns due Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20, Jan 20. Confirm current rate with the Town Revenue Services Office.
Paid toTown of Hilton Head Island · Revenue Services Office (1 Town Center Court, 843-341-4677) — SC state accommodations tax via SC Dept of Revenue (MyDORWAY)
🔒 In the $49 report (not free)