Airbnb in Myrtle Beach: where city zoning allows short-term rentals and what owners need
Most traditional residential neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach are not zoned for short-term rentals, according to the City of Myrtle Beach. Any zoning district that begins with R, for residential, does not allow rentals of less than 90 days, except the RMV (Residential Multifamily Visitor) district. Citywide, fewer than 30 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered, and a property that is not already in an eligible zone “cannot be converted to or approved for that use,” the city says.
Where short-term rentals are allowed, each one needs a City of Myrtle Beach business license, renewed every year by June 1, according to the city’s business license FAQ. Breaking the zoning code or the business license ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
What counts as a short-term rental in Myrtle Beach?
A short-term rental is any rental of less than 90 days, according to the City of Myrtle Beach. The city’s business license FAQ says “any stay of ninety (90) or more consecutive days in the same place is not considered a short-term accommodation.”
That 90-day line matches South Carolina’s accommodations tax, which applies to rooms and homes rented to guests for less than 90 consecutive days, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Which Myrtle Beach zones allow short-term rentals?
| Zoning district | Short-term rentals (under 90 days) |
|---|---|
| Districts that begin with R (residential) | Not allowed |
| RMV, Residential Multifamily Visitor | Allowed |
| Other districts | Check the permitted use table under “visitor accommodations” |
| Grandfathered houses in R zones | Fewer than 30 citywide |
Source: City of Myrtle Beach, checked Oct. 31, 2026.
For districts outside the R zones, the city points owners to the permitted use table in its zoning code, under “visitor accommodations,” and to its zoning and city limits map. For a specific property, call the Myrtle Beach Zoning Division at 843-918-1179.
Can I get a Myrtle Beach house rezoned for short-term rentals?
Not by converting it. The city says that if a property is not already in a zone that allows short-term rentals, it cannot be converted to or approved for that use. The grandfathered houses in residential zones are the ones that were used as short-term rentals before the current zoning.
That makes the zoning map the first stop before you buy. A listing that describes a house as a “rental” does not mean the city allows rentals of less than 90 days at that address.
What license does a Myrtle Beach short-term rental need?
The City of Myrtle Beach requires a business license for all rental properties, short-term and long-term, according to its business license FAQ. The main facts, as of Oct. 31, 2026:
- License year: June 1 to May 31. Renewal forms go out by April 1, and renewals are due June 1.
- Late renewal: delinquent July 1, with a penalty of 5% a month, up to 30%.
- Fee: based on gross receipts from the prior year. Fees are not prorated or refundable, and non-residents pay at double the resident rate on business done in the city.
- One license per location: a separate license is required for each place of business.
- Operating without a license: a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500 plus court costs and/or up to 30 days in jail. Each day is a separate offense.
The Business License Office is at 921 Oak St., in the City Services Building, and answers at 843-918-1200.
What city taxes does a Myrtle Beach rental collect?
The city’s business license FAQ lists two city charges on short-term stays: a 0.5% local accommodations tax and a 1% hospitality fee, both due by the 20th day after the reporting period. Late payments carry a 2% penalty a month on the accommodations tax and a 10% penalty on the hospitality fee. State and Horry County taxes come on top, and are covered in a separate story on Grand Strand accommodations taxes.
How do North Myrtle Beach and unincorporated Horry County compare?
Rules change at the city line:
| Place | Zoning for short-term rentals | License |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | Not allowed in R zones except RMV | City business license, yearly |
| North Myrtle Beach | “No special zoning or permit process required beyond standard licensing” | City business license, yearly |
| Unincorporated Horry County | Check with Horry County | County business license |
Sources: City of North Myrtle Beach, Horry County short-term rental tax chart, checked Oct. 31, 2026.
North Myrtle Beach requires short-term rentals to follow its ordinances on trash collection, parking, noise and occupancy, and answers questions at 843-280-5555. In unincorporated Horry County, the county lists a county business license, a South Carolina retail license (Form SCTC-111), monthly state returns and a county hospitality fee account; for property inside a city, it refers owners to 843-915-5620.
What should I check before buying a Grand Strand rental?
- Zoning: the district on the Myrtle Beach zoning map, or a call to the Zoning Division.
- City limits: whether the address is in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, another town or unincorporated Horry County.
- License and tax accounts: the city or county business license, the state retail license and the local tax accounts.
- Association rules: ask the condo or homeowners association for its rental rules in writing.
Own a rental here? Tell us what the rules mean in practice: email our newsroom through the Contact link at the bottom of this page.
This story is information, not financial or legal advice.
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Questions and answers
- Can you Airbnb your house in Myrtle Beach?
- Only in zones that allow short-term rentals. Residential zones that start with R do not allow rentals under 90 days, except RMV, and fewer than 30 houses in those zones are grandfathered, according to the City of Myrtle Beach.
- What is the penalty for an illegal short-term rental in Myrtle Beach?
- Violating the zoning code or the business license ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days in jail, according to the city.
- Do I need a business license to rent my condo in Myrtle Beach?
- Yes. The city requires a business license for all rental properties, short-term and long-term. The license year runs June 1 to May 31.
- How do I find out if my Myrtle Beach property is zoned for short-term rentals?
- Check the zoning district on the city's zoning and city limits map and the permitted use table under visitor accommodations, or call the Zoning Division at 843-918-1179.
