Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements for Owners

Owner Requirements

• Owner or Short-Term Rental Agent must be available by phone at all times.
• Owner or Short-Term Rental Agent must be available on site or taking responsible action within one hour of complaint and is required to prominently display contact information in the rental property.
• Owner shall display any town-provided outreach materials.
• Owner must properly maintain and regularly inspect property to ensure continued compliance.

Parking Regulations

• Owner will notify guests in writing the maximum number of vehicles permitted at the rental property prior to making any agreement.
  • Parking space must be at least 9 feet by 18 feet and an improved surface.
  • Owner must ensure that guests are not parking off-site in street or on grass or pine straw.

Trash Regulations

• Owner shall prominently display trash removal instructions including designated pick-up times and, if applicable, relevant property owner association requirements.
• Owner shall maintain a designated trash storage area that is fenced or screened so that trash containers are not visible from street. In addition, the owner must ensure that trash containers are not placed curbside more than 24 hours in advance and that they are removed from curbside within 24 hours of pick-up.

Noise Regulations

The owner shall notify guests in writing of the Town's noise regulations prior to making any agreement.

The owner shall display the following noise regulations in a prominent location in the short-term rental property:

1. In the Town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, it is unlawful to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of those in their homes and public places.
2. Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 7 am, though town noise regulations are in force twenty-four 24 hours each day.

Safety Regulations

• Owner shall maintain fully operational fire code compliant smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Owner shall maintain at least one fully operable and charged fire extinguisher.
• Owner shall maintain unobstructed escape routes in the event of fire.
• Owner will notify guests in writing of the existence of a pool or hot tub and any safety equipment related to the swimming pool or hot tub prior to making any agreement.

View Short-Term Rental Fire Safety

Additional Requirements

Owners of single-family dwellings will be required to upload a site plan of their property to show the parking and trash areas which will be reviewed by town staff for approval.

• Owners can upload their site plan on Town's Short-Term Rental Permit Portal on January 3, 2023
  • Owners can use the Town's site-plan app to create a site plan
• Owners can email us at STRPlan@hiltonheadislandsc.gov

Learn more about Short-Term Rental Site Plans

In addition to the annual short-term rental permit, all Property Owners must also obtain an annual Town of Hilton Head Island Business License.

If renting on your own or with a non-licensed property management company such as Airbnb, the three percent Local Accommodations Tax should be collected by the owner and submitted to the Town of Hilton Head Island.

Owner's Toolkit