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

Yes—short-term rentals appear to be permitted and actively encouraged in the City of Conway, subject to standard business licensing, taxes, and zoning. The city explicitly references “commercial short-term rentals” in its Hotel Incentive program and offers significant incentives for projects with a minimum of eight (8) units. That said, Conway’s public-facing pages do not publish a dedicated citywide STR ordinance; compliance relies on the city’s business licensing, zoning, building codes, and tax frameworks. Always verify unit-by-unit zoning and any STR-specific requirements with Planning & Development and Building Inspections.

What this means for investors: Conway is an STR-friendly market with pro-growth tools (expedited review; fee waivers for up to five years), but you must still confirm zoning suitability, safety code compliance, and whether a separate STR permit is required for your property type and unit count.

Market entry: How to start a short-term rental business in Conway, SC

• Confirm zoning suitability before acquisition or leasing. Use the city’s GIS (Zoning) and the Code of Ordinances to validate permitted use and district constraints for your specific address and structure. Contact Planning & Development for zoning confirmation.
• Obtain a City of Conway Business License (also called a business tax license). Licenses are annual and issued through the Finance Department’s online portal via BS&A Online. The annual fee is based on gross revenue and is typically due by April 30 each year.
• Decide whether you need a separate STR permit. Conway does not publish a citywide STR permit program on its public pages; many South Carolina municipalities require one. Confirm with Planning & Development whether your property must obtain a separate permit in addition to the business license.
• Register for, collect, and remit applicable taxes:
  • State and local accommodations taxes (up to ~12–14% combined depending on location and local levies). Registration is required through the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR).
  • State sales tax as applicable to taxable transactions.
  • Local hospitality and other local taxes where applicable.
• Safety and code compliance:
  • Meet applicable life-safety requirements (smoke detectors; fire extinguishers where required).
  • If applicable, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and any required inspections (e.g., fire, electrical) prior to hosting guests. Use BS&A Online for inspection scheduling and permit status.
• Property insurance:
  • Carry a comprehensive short-term rental policy (commercial general liability at minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence is standard across many SC municipalities) and property/damage coverage suitable for STR operations.
• Plan taxes, insurance, and operating setup:
  • Obtain a Federal EIN; consider state sales/use tax and accommodations tax accounts; set up hospitality tax remittance; acquire liability and property insurance; set up HOA/COA approvals if applicable.
• Listing and operations:
  • If a separate STR permit is required, include the permit number in all advertising and listings. Publish house rules, emergency contacts, parking instructions, and safety information in your listing and guest manual.
• Build approvals and timeline:
  • If pursuing the Hotel Incentive (≥8 units): prepare the application, submit to Planning Concierge Katie Dennis (kdennis@cityofconway.com), and target the 15-day expedited review track if approved.

Important first steps in Conway:

• Verify zoning with Planning & Development: 229 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526; (843) 248-1760.
• Confirm if a separate STR permit is required for your property.
• Set up your business license via BS&A Online Services and note renewal deadlines.
• Register for SC accommodations tax (if applicable) via SCDOR and schedule inspections via BS&A Online.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of Conway Business License:
  • Application and issuance via BS&A Online; annual license fee based on gross revenue; renewal by April 30.
• Separate STR permit (if applicable):
  • Status is not published on Conway’s public pages. Confirm with Planning & Development if your property requires a distinct permit.
• Zoning confirmation:
  • Use the City GIS Zoning map and the Code of Ordinances; request written confirmation from Planning & Development for the target address.
• Safety and inspections:
  • As required by use and occupancy: CO and inspections (e.g., fire, electrical) through BS&A Online Services.
• Documents typically requested by SC municipalities (for reference; verify locally):
  • Driver’s license or government ID
  • Federal EIN
  • Proof of ownership/lease and residency (if applicable)
  • Site plan and floor plan
  • Insurance certificate (liability; property)
  • Emergency contact information
• Advertising compliance:
  • If a separate STR permit exists in Conway, include the permit number in all advertising and booking platforms (common requirement across SC).
• Taxes:
  • State sales tax and state/local accommodations taxes (registration via SCDOR).
• Hotel Incentive (for ≥8 units):
  • Incentive application, supporting documentation, and written approval by City Council.

Note: Because Conway does not publish a dedicated STR ordinance online, the exact document list for a potential city STR permit is not available; consult Planning & Development to confirm.

Specific regulations by jurisdiction

City of Conway (municipal)

• Zoning: STRs must be in a district that allows transient accommodation or lodging as a permitted use. Confirm use status and any conditions (parking, occupancy, signage, safety) with Planning & Development and the Code of Ordinances.
• Licensing and permits:
  • Business license required annually (via BS&A Online).
  • If a separate STR permit exists for your property type, it must be obtained and renewed annually.
• Inspections: As applicable based on use and building type. Schedule via BS&A Online Services.
• Advertising: If the city issues a separate STR permit, include the permit number in all listings (standard statewide practice).
• Incentives (Hotel Incentive):
  • Applies to hotels or commercial short-term rentals with at least eight (8) units.
  • Incentives: hospitality fees and property taxes collected by the City for up to five (5) years (with special seven-year extension for approvals between Aug 15, 2022 and Aug 15, 2023); expedited city review of 15 days vs. 30 days.
  • Apply: complete the Incentive Application and email it to Planning Concierge Katie Dennis (kdennis@cityofconway.com).

Because Conway does not publish an STR-specific ordinance on its website, any city-level constraints must be verified directly with Planning & Development and through the Code of Ordinances.

County (Horry County)

• County-level STR permits may not be required if the property is within city limits and subject to city codes. Confirm with the city whether county registration is required for properties inside Conway.
• Local accommodations tax may apply depending on county or municipality; confirm rates and remittance responsibilities with Finance and SCDOR.

State of South Carolina

• Definition of short-term rental:
  • A residential property offered for a fee for less than 30 consecutive days. This is the operative baseline in South Carolina when local definitions do not specify otherwise.
• Licensing:
  • A local business license is required for STR operations.
• Taxation:
  • Hosts collect and remit accommodations taxes (typically 2% state accommodations tax) plus local accommodations taxes; state sales tax may also apply. Combined rates can range roughly from 12% to 14% depending on local levies. Register through SCDOR.
• Safety:
  • Properties must meet state and local life-safety requirements (smoke detectors; fire extinguishers; egress; electrical safety). Municipal inspections may be required.
• Local autonomy:
  • Statewide, municipalities have broad authority to regulate STRs (zoning, permits, safety, advertising). No statewide prohibition exists; rules vary by city.

In short: There is no explicit statewide ban on STRs; Conway appears STR-friendly, especially for larger-scale projects, but property-level compliance must be confirmed.

Contact information (Conway authorities)

• Planning & Development (Zoning; incentives; confirm STR status):
  • 229 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526
  • Phone: (843) 248-1760
  • Planning Concierge (Hotel Incentive applications): Katie Dennis — kdennis@cityofconway.com
• Building Inspections / BS&A Online (Permits & inspections):
  • Online services portal: BS&A Online Services
  • Phone: (843) 248-1760 (main switch; route to Building as needed)
• Finance (Business licenses; local taxes):
  • 229 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526
  • Phone: (843) 248-1760
• Code of Ordinances:
  • City of Conway Code of Ordinances (Municode)
• Fire Department (Life safety; inspections):
  • Phone: (843) 248-1760 (route via main switch)

Always begin with Planning & Development for zoning confirmation and whether a separate STR permit applies to your specific property and use.

Links to source pages (Conway-specific and state-level)

• City of Conway – Hotel Incentive (commercial STRs ≥8 units; incentive details):
  • www.conwaysc.gov/departments/planning___development/hotel_incentive.php
• BS&A Online – Permits & Inspections (applications; inspections):
  • bsaonline.com/Home/Index?uid=2754
• City of Conway – Code of Ordinances (zoning; licensing):
  • library.municode.com/sc/conway/codes/code_of_ordinances
• City of Conway – Starting a New Business (license overview):
  • www.conwaysc.gov/business/business_license/index.php
• City of Conway – GIS Data Information (zoning and parcel context):
  • conwaygis.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html

If you do not pursue the Hotel Incentive (≥8 units), Conway’s public pages do not describe a standalone city STR permit program. Confirm directly with Planning & Development and Building Inspections whether your property requires a separate permit and what inspections apply.