Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Arcadia, SC?

• Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Arcadia, South Carolina, and operate under state rules and county-level requirements. Arcadia is an unincorporated community in Spartanburg County; there is no city-specific STR ordinance. As a result, investors must comply with:
  • State of South Carolina baseline requirements (definitions, taxes, and safety obligations).
  • Spartanburg County rules and administration (licensing, zoning guidance, taxes, inspections).
  • City or regional overlays do not apply (e.g., Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach ordinances are for those jurisdictions only).

Key state-level points investors should know:

• South Carolina defines a short-term rental as a property offered for fee for less than 30 consecutive days; there is no statewide “STR ban,” but the state delegates most regulation to local authorities.
• Business license and local permits are required; state and local taxes apply.
• Insurance (at least $1 million general liability) is effectively required to meet most local landlord/tenant/occupancy and platform standards.
• Local zoning applies at the county level; unincorporated areas may allow STRs where lodging uses are permitted, but residential-only areas can be more restrictive.

Statewide sources used:

• GoSummer: “South Carolina Short-Term Rental Laws” [www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws] — definition, licensing, taxes, city examples (not Arcadia-specific).
• Century 21 Blackwell: “Short-Term Rentals in Greenville & Spartanburg: What’s Legal and What’s Not” [www.century21blackwell.com/blog/short-term-rentals-greenville-spartanburg-whats-legal-and-whats-not/] — Spartanburg County posture (residential prohibition, commercial allowed), license/taxes summary.
• MASC Uptown (Mar 2023) [www.masc.sc/sites/default/files/uploads/uptown/2023/185670_march-uptown-webready.pdf] — state context and local municipal variation; not Arcadia-specific.

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

• Confirm zoning and use permissions:
  • In Spartanburg County (unincorporated Arcadia), short-term rentals are prohibited in residential-only zoning districts; they are permitted in commercial, mixed-use, downtown, and areas where lodging is allowed (similar to hotels/motels). Use the Spartanburg County GIS/zoning tools to confirm your parcel’s zoning and whether “lodging” is an allowable use. If you are in a residential zone, consider long-term rentals (30–89 days) where permitted, or seek a zoning determination from the County Planning Department.
• Obtain a business license:
  • Required before operating. Submit the standard county/city business license application to the local business license official/tax collector. Processing typically takes days; renew annually (by April 30 in many jurisdictions).
• Secure the necessary permits and documents:
  • Short-term rental permit (where applicable): Some unincorporated areas require an STR occupancy permit; fee is commonly around $40. Submit property details, floor plan, site plan, parking plan, owner/operator info, and an affidavit confirming compliance.
  • Certificate of Occupancy (CO): Typically required; ensure the unit meets building and fire codes and passes inspections.
  • Insurance: Maintain commercial general liability coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence; consult your agent for property and umbrella coverage.
• Set up tax registration:
  • Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) for state sales tax and state accommodations tax (see Taxes section).
  • Register locally for accommodations taxes (county and, if applicable, municipality).
• Safety and inspections:
  • Install and maintain smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors where applicable, and fire extinguishers. Properties may be subject to annual fire/building inspections.
• Prepare operations:
  • Post house rules, parking instructions, emergency contacts, and make a house manual available to guests. Keep guest logs and records for at least two years to satisfy compliance reviews.
• Launch and renew:
  • Operate only in permitted zoning. Renew licenses and permits annually; stay current on tax remittances to avoid penalties.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Business license:
  • Application to local business license official (renew annually).
  • Proof of ownership/control; tax ID; gross receipts estimate for fee calculation.
• Short-term rental occupancy permit (if required in your specific area):
  • STR permit application; fee around $40.
  • Site plan and floor plan; parking plan; owner/agent/emergency contact details.
  • Affidavit acknowledging compliance with local codes.
• Certificate of Occupancy:
  • Evidence that the property meets building/fire code; may require inspection.
• Insurance:
  • Commercial general liability at least $1,000,000 per occurrence; property and umbrella coverage as appropriate.
• Safety compliance:
  • Smoke and CO detectors; fire extinguishers; posted egress and emergency information.
• Recordkeeping:
  • Guest registration, booking records, safety inspection reports, and correspondence with local officials (retain for at least two years).

Specific regulations for short-term rentals (city, county, and state)

• State (South Carolina):
  • Definition: Rental for fee for less than 30 consecutive days.
  • Licensing: Business license at local level; some jurisdictions require an STR permit.
  • Taxes: State sales tax (5%) + state accommodations tax (2%) = 7% baseline; local accommodations taxes may apply.
  • Insurance/safety: Commercial liability insurance at $1M+ and adherence to local safety codes (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers).
• County (Spartanburg County — applies to Arcadia as an unincorporated area):
  • Zoning: STRs are prohibited in residential zones; allowed in commercial/mixed-use/downtown corridors where lodging uses are permitted.
  • Permits/Licensing: Business license required; STR occupancy permit commonly ~$40; CO required; inspections common.
  • Taxes: 3% Spartanburg County accommodations tax in addition to 7% state taxes.
  • Enforcement: Active; properties operating without permits or in prohibited zones may face fines, cease-and-desist orders, or legal action.
• City-specific notes:
  • Arcadia has no separate city regulations (unincorporated).
  • The state’s city examples (Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Sumter) do not apply to Arcadia.

Taxes: What you must collect and remit

• State-level:
  • Sales tax: 5%
  • State accommodations tax: 2%
  • Combined state baseline: 7%
• Local:
  • Spartanburg County accommodations tax: 3%
• Total effective rate (Arcadia/Spartanburg County): approximately 10%
  • State 7% + County 3% = 10% (common baseline; verify any additional local levies at the parcel level).
• Registration and remittance:
  • Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for state sales and accommodations tax; obtain any required local accommodations tax registration.
  • Platforms may collect state taxes automatically; confirm whether local taxes are being collected and remitted on your behalf. If not, you must collect and remit.
  • Maintain monthly remittance cadence and records for audits.
• Income and property taxes:
  • Report STR income on federal/state returns; consider deductions (depreciation, mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, maintenance, management fees, etc.).
  • Pay local property taxes per Spartanburg County assessments.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs) Because Arcadia is unincorporated, contact the county-level offices and state agencies that administer licensing, zoning, taxes, and safety:

• South Carolina Department of Revenue (state tax registration, remittance, general STR tax info)

  • Phone: (803) 898-5000
  • Website: dor.sc.gov
  • Email/portal links and regional offices are available on the DOR website.

• Spartanburg County Business License / Tax Collector

  • Phone: (864) 596-2601 (main line; ask for Business License/Tax Collector)
  • Website: www.spartanburgcounty.org
  • Notes: Business license applications and renewals; local accommodations tax registration and remittance; confirm your parcel’s jurisdiction.

• Spartanburg County Planning & Zoning (for zoning/use verification)

  • Phone: (864) 596-2570 (Planning Department)
  • Website: www.spartanburgcounty.org (Planning/Zoning pages)
  • Notes: Use GIS tools and staff to verify if STR/lodging use is permitted on your parcel; request written determinations for your file.

• Spartanburg County Building/Fire Inspections (Certificate of Occupancy, safety compliance)

  • Phone: (864) 596-2587 (Building Inspections)
  • Website: www.spartanburgcounty.org (Building and Codes)
  • Notes: CO issuance, inspections, life-safety code compliance.

• Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office / Code Enforcement

  • Phone: (864) 596-2600 (Sheriff’s Office non-emergency)
  • Website: www.spartanburgcounty.org (Sheriff’s Office)
  • Notes: Nuisance, noise, safety complaints; enforcement actions for non-compliant STRs.

Links to source pages

• South Carolina Short-Term Rental Laws (GoSummer)
  • www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• Short-Term Rentals in Greenville & Spartanburg: What’s Legal and What’s Not (Century 21 Blackwell)
  • www.century21blackwell.com/blog/short-term-rentals-greenville-spartanburg-whats-legal-and-whats-not/
• Municipal Association of SC Uptown (Mar 2023): Different Cities, Different Short-Term Rental Solutions
  • www.masc.sc/sites/default/files/uploads/uptown/2023/185670_march-uptown-webready.pdf

Practical investor checklist for Arcadia, SC

• Confirm zoning first (County Planning/GIS). If your parcel is residential-only, do not plan on <30-day STRs—retool for 30–89-day rentals or adjust your acquisition strategy.
• Obtain a business license and any required STR occupancy permit; secure a Certificate of Occupancy.
• Place insurance: at least $1M general liability, plus property/umbrella; maintain safety devices.
• Register for taxes: SC DOR (state) and local accommodations tax.
• Set up remittance procedures and recordkeeping; align guest documentation and house rules with county/state standards.
• Prepare for inspections; keep logs and compliance documentation for at least two years.
• Renew licenses/permits annually; monitor county code changes and state updates.

Important note

• Regulations evolve. Before purchasing or operating, verify zoning and permit requirements in writing with Spartanburg County and confirm your tax registration and remittance setup with the South Carolina Department of Revenue.