Camden, South Carolina Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Camden, SC?

Short-term rentals are allowed in Camden, South Carolina. There is no city‑specific short‑term rental (STR) permitting ordinance identified in the provided sources; operation is primarily governed by general business licensing and local tax requirements at the city and county levels. Any STR activity must comply with state rules (including a $1 million commercial general liability insurance requirement enacted by Senate Bill S.442) and local zoning. Investors should verify zoning compatibility and confirm whether any new city ordinances have been adopted since these sources were published.

Source: Statewide framework and Camden mention within a South Carolina market overview (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals; Summer/Gosummer); insurance requirement per S.442 (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals).

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Camden?

Camden hosts earn a median $23,673/year with $136 ADR and 57% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,388+ per year.

See the full Camden market breakdown

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Camden

Confirm zoning and use eligibility

Contact the City of Camden Planning & Zoning to verify your property’s zoning permits transient lodging. The city does not publish a dedicated STR ordinance in the provided sources, but zoning remains a gating factor.

Obtain the City of Camden Business License

Set up state and local tax accounts

South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR): Sales Tax and Accommodations Tax setup (state rates apply; SCDOR may provide a unified account). Note: Many booking platforms collect state taxes automatically, but you remain responsible for local tax remittance and any local business filings.

Enroll in Kershaw County accommodations tax collection and remittance

The sources indicate Kershaw County has a 7% local accommodations tax that STR operators must collect and remit to the county. Confirm the current rate, filing cadence, and any local accommodations tax with the Kershaw County Treasurer/Auditor.

Comply with state insurance requirement

Carry commercial general liability coverage with at least $1 million per occurrence. Homeowners policies typically exclude business activity; obtain a dedicated STR/vacation rental policy.

Property readiness and operations

Install/maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and reasonable safety measures; post rules; establish an emergency/local contact and house manual; manage parking and trash per local norms; monitor noise.

Listing and compliance

Display your business license number in all listings (if required by the city) and in the unit; keep records of all tax filings and receipts; renew annually.

Sources: City business license requirement and county accommodations tax at 7% (Summer/Gosummer); general state/local licensing and tax setup (Savage Law Firm); state insurance mandate per S.442 (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Camden Business License
- Purpose: General business operation license; renew annually.
- Where to get: City of Camden Business License Office.
SCDOR Tax Accounts
- State Sales Tax (5.0%), State Accommodations Tax (2.0%), and Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) when applicable.
- Purpose: Register, collect, file, and remit state/local sales and accommodations taxes.
- Notes:
  - Booking platforms may collect state sales and accommodations taxes automatically.
  - Owners remain responsible for local accommodation taxes and filing any required local returns.
- Source: Tax framework and registration approach (Savage Law Firm); state rates (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals).
Kershaw County Accommodations Tax (7%)
- Purpose: County-level local accommodations tax on STRs.
- Notes: Confirm whether the 7% is solely county accommodations or a combined county + local option; verify filing cadence and any local accommodations tax directly with the county and the City of Camden.
- Source: Summer/Gosummer.
Insurance
- Requirement: Minimum $1 million commercial general liability coverage per occurrence for each STR (statewide).
- Notes: Homeowners insurance is generally insufficient; maintain evidence of coverage and renew policies on schedule.
- Source: HomeTeam Luxury Rentals referencing S.442.
Zoning and Use Compliance
- Verify with Planning & Zoning that transient lodging is a permitted use in your zoning district; note any conditional use or overlay constraints.
Operational Guidelines (best practice)
- Emergency/local contact posted inside the unit; house manual with safety, parking, and trash instructions; guest screening; occupancy limits aligned with safety standards and local norms.

Sources: Licensing and tax obligations (Summer/Gosummer; Savage Law Firm); state insurance requirement (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals).

Specific Regulations — City (Camden), County (Kershaw), and State (South Carolina)

Statewide (South Carolina)

STR Definition and Authority
- S.442 defines a short-term rental as a residential property rented for fewer than 29 consecutive days and confirms municipalities may regulate STRs via zoning, permitting, and enforcement.
Insurance Requirement
- Minimum $1 million commercial general liability insurance coverage per occurrence is mandatory for all STRs statewide.
Taxes (state level)
- State Sales Tax: 5.0%
- State Accommodations Tax: 2.0%
- Local Option Sales Tax (LOST): Up to 3.0% depending on county
- County and Municipal Accommodations Taxes: Up to 3.0% each when adopted
- Note: Additional local taxes apply on top of state rates; operators must register and remit to SCDOR and local authorities as required.

County (Kershaw County)

Accommodations Tax
- The county imposes a 7% accommodations tax applicable to short-term rentals. Confirm the current rate and filing cadence with the County Treasurer/Auditor.
- Source: Summer/Gosummer.

City (Camden)

Licensing and Registration
- STR operators must obtain a City of Camden Business License and renew annually.
- No dedicated STR permit ordinance was identified in the provided sources.
Zoning
- Transient lodging must be a permitted use in the subject zoning district; consult Planning & Zoning for confirmations and any overlays or conditions.
Taxes
- In addition to state taxes and county accommodations tax, any municipal taxes applicable to accommodations should be verified with the City of Camden.

Sources: County accommodations tax and city business license requirement (Summer/Gosummer); state tax and insurance framework (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals; Savage Law Firm); S.442 definition and insurance requirement (HomeTeam Luxury Rentals).

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website) — Local Authority

City of Camden — Business License Office
- Address: 1000 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020
- Phone: Not specified in sources
- Email: Not specified in sources
- Website: Not specified in sources
- Purpose: City business license applications/renewals.
City of Camden — Planning & Zoning
- Address: 1000 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020
- Phone: Not specified in sources
- Email: Not specified in sources
- Website: Not specified in sources
- Purpose: Zoning verification for transient lodging use.
Kershaw County — Treasurer/Auditor
- Phone: Not specified in sources
- Email: Not specified in sources
- Website: Not specified in sources
- Purpose: County accommodations tax setup, filings, and rate confirmation.
South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR)
- Website: Not specified in sources
- Purpose: State tax registration (sales and accommodations tax), filing, and guidance on local remittance responsibilities.

Sources: Business licensing, zoning, and local tax references (Summer/Gosummer; Savage Law Firm).

Links to Source Pages

Notes and Caveats

Always confirm zoning with the City of Camden Planning & Zoning prior to purchase or listing. Zoning remains the single most common barrier to STR operation in South Carolina.
Confirm the current Kershaw County accommodations tax rate and any municipal accommodations tax directly with the County Treasurer/Auditor and the City of Camden. The 7% figure may reflect combined county and local option taxes; rates and local surtaxes may change.
If using a booking platform (Airbnb/VRBO), verify which taxes are collected automatically and which you must remit separately. You remain responsible for compliance even if a platform collects taxes on your behalf.
State-level requirements (insurance, state sales and accommodations taxes) apply uniformly; local overlays (zoning, permits, inspections) can vary block by block.
Senate Bill S.442 enacted a statewide insurance requirement; verify local enforcement mechanisms and any amendments during 2025–2026.

This guide reflects the provided sources and focuses on information relevant to Camden and Kershaw County. Where the sources do not specify contact details or formal city STR processes, those fields are left as “not specified.”

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Ask the AI Advisor about Camden

Camden is a small historic city in Kershaw County, in the north-central part of South Carolina, with a population of roughly 7,000 residents. It carries the unofficial title of the "Steeplechase Capital of the World" thanks to its long equestrian tradition, anchored by the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup races held each spring and fall. The city has a quiet, leafy character, with broad residential streets, antebellum homes, and a compact historic downtown that draws visitors interested in the area's Revolutionary War past. Camden sits about 30 miles northeast of Columbia, the state capital, and roughly 90 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina, placing it within easy reach of both larger metro areas while retaining the feel of a small Southern town.

Just north of the city center, Historic Camden is a preserved Revolutionary War site that commemorates the 1780 Battle of Camden, one of the most significant engagements of the Southern Campaign. Visitors can walk the grounds, view reconstructed colonial-era structures, and learn about the British occupation and the earlier settlement founded by Joseph Kershaw. The site is a few minutes' drive from downtown and is widely regarded as the most important historic attraction in the area.

South Carolina's equestrian heritage is on full display each spring at Springdale Race Course, home to the Carolina Cup, one of the premier steeplechase events in the United States. Race days draw tens of thousands of spectators, filling local inns, restaurants, and short-term rentals for the weekend. Between events, the broader Camden equestrian community continues to shape the local culture, with year-round training facilities, fox hunts, and polo matches adding a distinctly rural-aristocratic flavor to the area.

For outdoor recreation, Goodale State Park lies about ten miles north of Camden and offers a quiet retreat along Cedar Creek. The small state park is known for its mature cypress trees, picnic areas, and a short walking trail that loops through the swampy bottomland, making it a popular spot for families and casual hikers looking for a peaceful break from the historic sites. A bit farther afield, Lake Wateree — a reservoir on the Catawba River about twenty miles north of the city — provides boating, fishing, and lakeside camping, expanding the range of outdoor activities available within a short drive.

Camden's combination of small-town character, deep Revolutionary War history, and a celebrated equestrian calendar gives it a distinct identity that sets it apart from typical Carolina destinations. For short-term rental owners, this mix translates into demand from three reliable visitor groups: history enthusiasts touring the Revolutionary War sites, equestrian fans arriving for race weekends, and outdoor travelers using the city as a base for exploring Lake Wateree and the surrounding Kershaw County countryside. Its proximity to both Columbia and Charlotte broadens that appeal, while the town's compact, walkable core keeps the visitor experience rooted in the kind of historic Southern charm that draws repeat guests.