No pending change foundLast verified 2026-10-25

Myrtle Beach and Horry County short-term rental rules

Myrtle Beach allows STRs only in pink-shaded zones on its map (most neighborhoods are not), and short term there means under 90 days.

Not legal advice. This is a plain-language summary of public sources, last checked 2026-10-25. Rules change, and some items are pending. Always verify with the municipality or county before you buy, list, or renew. Each fact links to its official source.

The rules at a glance

TopicWhat the official sources say
Allowed and whereCity of Myrtle Beach: only zones shaded on the STR zone map; districts beginning with R do not allow STRs except RMV; only 24 grandfathered houses in traditional residential zones. Unincorporated Horry County: zoning approval by Planning and Zoning before a business license; zone list unknown.
Permit or licenseCity: business license required for all rental property owners. County: Horry County business license.
Feesunknown. City renewals due Apr 30 with a 5% per month late penalty.
Caps or wait listNo numeric cap; limited by zoning.
Owner-occupancyNot required (none found).
Occupancy limitunknown
Parkingunknown
Taxes on staysMyrtle Beach, 13% total: state sales 5%, state accommodations 2%, education capital improvement 1%, transportation 1%, tourism development 1% (10%, remitted to SCDOR per ST-575); Horry County hospitality fee 1.5% (remitted to the Horry County Hospitality Fee Dept, which passes it to the City under the 2021 settlement); City hospitality fee 1% and City local accommodations tax 0.5% (remitted to the City of Myrtle Beach by the 20th, not to SCDOR). Unincorporated Horry County, 12% total: state sales 5%, state accommodations 2%, education capital improvement 1%, transportation 1% (9%, SCDOR); Horry County hospitality fee/local accommodations tax 3% (Horry County Hospitality Fee Dept, due the 20th). All apply to stays under 90 days. Airbnb collects the SCDOR taxes, the County 1.5% to 3% and the City 0.5% and 1%. Mandatory cleaning and other required fees are part of the taxable rental charge; optional services the guest can decline are not (SCDOR Sales Tax Manual Ch. 11, Q6 to Q9).
Registration and renewalCounty: SCDOR form SCTC-111, ST-388, ST-3T and ST-389 filings; personal property return by Apr 30. City violations: misdemeanor up to $500 and/or 30 days per occurrence.
Gross receipts for license and tax filings. The $19 Airbnb Host Tracker totals your gross rental income by month, for each property or all properties together: rent, cleaning and other guest fees from Airbnb, Vrbo and direct stays, before platform fees. Stays are counted in the month they check in. Take a look
Recent changes (dated)unknown (no dated 2025 or 2026 change confirmed).

Printable checklist. Myrtle Beach and Horry County short-term rental host checklist: the rules above as step by step boxes to tick, with sources.

Estimate the lodging tax on a booking in Myrtle Beach and Horry County with the free Keel & Charter calculator.

What will you keep after taxes and fees? Try the free Myrtle Beach and Horry County take-home calculator

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Turnaround windows, cleaner status and pay, and a supplies reorder list.

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