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

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Greenville, SC?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Greenville, SC, but with significant restrictions. Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are only permitted in specific commercial and mixed-use zones within the city limits. Properties in residential zones cannot operate new short-term rentals after July 15, 2023, unless they obtained a special exception permit before that date.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Greenville?

Greenville hosts earn a median $28,646/year with $146 ADR and 69% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $40,224+ per year.

See the full Greenville market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Greenville, SC

Step 1: Verify Zoning Eligibility

Critical First Step: Confirm your property is zoned for short-term rentals before proceeding.

For Less Than 30-Day Rentals:

Allowed zones: MX-2, MX-3, MX-5, MX-D, MXS-2, MXS-3, MXS-5, MXS-D, BG, BH, IX, CM
Prohibited zones: RH-A to RH-D, RN-A to RN-C, RC-2 to RC-5, IG, CV, PK, and other residential zones

For 30-89 Day Rentals:

Expanded eligibility: Both residential zones (RH-A to RH-D, RN-A/B, RNX-B/C) and non-residential zones (IG, CV, PK, mixed-use, commercial) are allowed

Step 2: Obtain Required Permits and Licenses

City of Greenville (Incorporated Areas):

Occupancy permit from the Planning Department
Business license from the city
Special exception permit (required for properties outside designated commercial/mixed-use zones before July 15, 2023)

Greenville County (Unincorporated Areas):

Short-term rental permit (~$40) via the eTrakit system
Business license
Processing time: Approximately 5 days

Required Documentation:

Proof of ownership
Site/floor plans
Parking plan
Liability insurance (minimum $1 million commercial general liability)
Compliance affidavit

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Greenville Requirements

Permits:

Occupancy permit from Planning Department
Business license from city
Special exception permit (for existing operations or specific circumstances)

Documentation:

Property ownership verification
Detailed site plans
Floor plans showing room configurations
Parking plan demonstrating adequate spaces
Commercial general liability insurance ($1 million minimum)
Compliance affidavit

Greenville County Requirements

Permits:

Short-term rental permit ($40 fee)
Business license

Documentation:

Property ownership proof
Site/floor plans
Parking plan
Liability insurance
Compliance affidavit
Use GIS tools to verify "Lodging" eligibility

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Greenville (Effective July 15, 2023)

STRs restricted to downtown/Central Business District and main corridors (Laurens Road, Pleasantburg, Augusta Road)
New STRs prohibited in residential neighborhoods unless special exception permit was obtained before July 15, 2023
No "grandfathering" for non-conforming uses when properties change ownership

Greenville County

Use GIS system to determine lodging eligibility
Special exceptions may be required for certain properties
Active enforcement with contractors identifying unpermitted properties

State-Level Regulations (South Carolina)

No statewide ban on STRs (House Bill 3253 did not pass)
Local governments retain authority to regulate STRs
Insurance requirement: Minimum $1 million commercial general liability policy
Tax obligations: Collect and remit state and local sales and accommodations taxes

Tax Requirements

State Taxes

State accommodations tax: 7% (5% sales tax + 2% accommodations tax)
Registration required: Obtain retail license with South Carolina Department of Revenue
Exemptions:
- Renting fewer than 15 days/year in primary residence
- Owning six bedrooms or fewer while living on property (cannot use marketplace platforms)

Local Taxes

City of Greenville:

Local accommodations tax: 3%
Collection: Owners must collect and remit monthly (typically by 20th of each month)
Note: Platforms like Airbnb collect state tax automatically but not local taxes

Greenville County:

Local accommodations tax: 3%
Same collection requirements as city

Tax Collection Responsibilities

Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO): Automatically collect state taxes
Owners: Must collect and remit local taxes (3% city/county)
Reporting: Monthly remittance required

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Greenville

Planning & Development Department

Website: greenvillesc.gov/1572/Short-Term-Rentals
Department: Planning & Development
Website: greenvillesc.gov/2654/Planning-Development
Zoning & Development Code: greenvillesc.gov/182/Zoning-Development-Code

Greenville County

Planning & Zoning Department

Permit System: eTrakit online portal
Website: Contact through Greenville County government website

State of South Carolina

Department of Revenue

Website: dor.sc.gov
Tax registration and reporting for state-level requirements

Key Zoning Districts and Eligibility

Commercial/Mixed-Use Zones (STRs Under 30 Days Allowed)

MX-2, MX-3, MX-5, MX-D: Mixed-use districts
MXS-2, MXS-3, MXS-5, MXS-D: Mixed-use special districts
BG, BH: Business general, business highway
IX: Industrial flex
CM: Commercial

Residential Zones (30-89 Day Rentals Allowed)

RH-A to RH-D: Residential high density
RN-A, RN-B, RN-C: Residential neighborhood
RNX-B, RNX-C: Residential neighborhood mixed

Main Corridors (STRs Under 30 Days Allowed)

Laurens Road
Pleasantburg
Augusta Road (partial)

Enforcement and Compliance

City of Greenville

Active enforcement with legal team sending letters to illegal STR operators
Immediate shutdown required for non-compliant operations
No tolerance policy for new STRs in residential areas after July 15, 2023

Greenville County

Active enforcement using contractors to identify unpermitted properties
Fines and court action for violations
Regular monitoring of compliance

Market Context and Impact

Tourism Impact

6.6% of total accommodations demand in City of Greenville (2022)
8.7% of total accommodations revenue ($20.5 million)
"Responsible tourism" approach balancing growth with quality of life

Investment Considerations

Limited availability in allowed zones increases property values
Higher competition in commercial/mixed-use areas
Grandfathering limitations affect investment strategies

Sources and Links

Primary Government Sources

News and Market Analysis

State Resources

South Carolina Department of Revenue

Important Note: This information is current as of the provided content. STR regulations can change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the City of Greenville Planning Department or Greenville County Planning Department before proceeding with any STR operation.

Next step

Found a property in Greenville?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Greenville

Greenville is a mid-sized city in the upstate region of South Carolina, serving as the seat of Greenville County. With a city population of roughly 70,000 to 90,000 residents and a metro area of more than half a million, it has earned a reputation as one of the most livable small cities in the American Southeast. Its character blends a walkable, restaurant-filled downtown with easy access to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it is widely considered a gateway to outdoor recreation in the southern Appalachians. The nearest major city is Charlotte, North Carolina, which lies about 100 miles to the northeast, roughly a 1.5- to 2-hour drive via Interstate 85.

The heart of Greenville is Falls Park on the Reedy, a lush public garden set in the downtown gorge where the Reedy River tumbles over a series of waterfalls. The park is best known for the curving Liberty Bridge, an elevated pedestrian suspension walkway that lets visitors hover directly above the cascades. Located just minutes from nearly any point in the city, Falls Park is a year-round draw that anchors Greenville's walkable downtown core.

Just north of the city, Paris Mountain State Park offers an easy escape into the foothills. Roughly a 15-minute drive from downtown, the park surrounds a small mountain lake, with shaded hiking loops, picnic shelters, and a historic stone bathhouse left over from a 1930s-era camp. It is a popular spot for families and trail runners looking for a quick nature break without leaving the metro area.

For a deeper mountain experience, Table Rock State Park sits about 45 minutes to the northwest in Pickens County, on the slopes of the dramatic Blue Ridge escarpment. The park is named for the sheer granite face of Table Rock Mountain and offers miles of strenuous hiking, a tranquil lake, and rustic mountain cabins. Nearby, the Caesar's Head State Park features even more sweeping views, including the towering Raven Cliff Falls, a short drive beyond Table Rock.

Running through it all is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile multi-use greenway that follows an old rail corridor from downtown Greenville north to the town of Travelers Rest. It links neighborhoods, parks, and breweries, and is one of the most popular cycling and running paths in the region.

Greenville's blend of a compact, amenity-rich downtown, mild year-round weather, and proximity to the mountains makes it a particularly strong base for short-term rentals. Guests can spend a morning on a patio in Falls Park, an afternoon hiking in Paris Mountain, and an evening sampling the restaurants along Main Street, all without straying far from their front door.