News Release

Town Council Meeting Highlights: October 13, 2025

October 14, 2025

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2025) – The Hilton Head Island Town Council held a special called meeting on Monday, Oct. 13.

A full recording of the meeting is available on the Town's YouTube channel, and a complete meeting overview (agenda and packet materials) is posted on the Town's website. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 3 p.m.

Town Council met to consider the first reading of an ordinance to repeal and replace Title 10, Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code of the Town of Hilton Head Island Entitled Short-Term Rentals. The primary goal in considering short-term rental ordinance amendments is to protect and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors.

Town Council voted to amend the proposed short-term rental ordinance with the following changes:

1. Require a fire alarm system only for short-term rentals which have 3,600 or more square feet. The system must meet the intent of the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code standards. Remove the requirement of a manual fire alarm.
2. Limit parking for short-term rentals to a maximum of six exterior parking spaces as described in the property site plan. Garage parking spaces are not included in this count.
3. No occupancy limitations.

The effective date for these changes is May 1, 2026. The one exception to this compliance time frame is for the fire safety alarm requirement for permit holders. For those permit holders with a valid permit on the adoption date of the proposed ordinance (to be considered by Town Council on Oct. 21, 2025), compliance with the fire safety alarm requirements is May 1, 2027.

Upon second reading and adoption of the repeal and replace ordinance for short-terms rentals, the new annual permit period will be May 1 to April 30, which aligns with the business license renewal period.

Since the Community Development and Public Services Committee did not act to amend the Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Budget fee schedule and short-term rental permit fees during their meeting on Oct. 7., any changes to short-term rental permit fees will be brought forward for Town Council consideration as part of a future budget ordinance or amendment.