Can I Rent My North Myrtle Beach Home Short-Term?

Last updated October 2026

I spent about 20 years in high-end restaurant and bar service before real estate became my full-time work. Guest experience is personal to me, and so is getting the paperwork right behind it. I am licensed in both Carolinas, and rental questions come up with almost every North Myrtle Beach buyer I work with.

Do I need a business license to rent my home in North Myrtle Beach?

Yes. The city says all short-term rentals inside city limits must have a business license. Here is what the City of North Myrtle Beach lists:

• Every short-term rental in the city needs a business license.
• Owners and managers must renew it each year and keep the license information current.
• Rentals must follow city rules on occupancy, parking, trash and noise.

If you hire a property manager, ask who holds the license and who files the taxes. Get the answer in writing in your management agreement. Some addresses near North Myrtle Beach are outside city limits, so confirm which government covers the property.

What taxes do I collect on a North Myrtle Beach vacation rental?

You collect state tax, county tax and city tax on the rent. The South Carolina Department of Revenue lists 5% sales tax plus 2% accommodations tax, for 7% at the state level.

Local taxes stack on top:

• Horry County hospitality fee. The county lists 1.5% on transient accommodations inside city limits.
• City of North Myrtle Beach. The city says rental operators remit accommodations tax to the city as well. Ask the city’s business license office for the current local rate and filing steps.
• Local sales taxes. SCDOR collects some county sales taxes along with the state tax. Its Form ST-575 lists those rates.

A few SCDOR rules worth knowing:

• If you book guests directly, you need a SC Retail License.
• If a property manager or online travel company takes every booking and collects the payment, that company remits the state tax. In that case, SCDOR says you do not need a Retail License.
• Returns are filed online and are due by the 20th of the month after the filing period.
• Rentals to the same person for 90 continuous days are excluded from the accommodations tax.

Does zoning limit short-term rentals in North Myrtle Beach?

Right now the city says there is no special zoning or permit process beyond the standard business license. That is good news for buyers, but it is not a promise for the future.

The city has looked at short-term rental rules before. A proposed moratorium in 2018 did not pass, and a 2020 workshop on a possible ordinance did not lead to one. Rules can change, so check with the city before you buy and again before you renew your license each year.

Can my HOA stop me from renting short-term?

It can, if the community’s recorded rules say so. The city license does not override private covenants. HOA and condo rules can cover things like:

• Minimum rental lengths, such as no stays shorter than a set number of nights
• Caps on how many units can be rented
• Guest registration, parking passes and pool wristbands
• Rental fees or extra dues charged to owners who rent

Ask for the covenants, bylaws, rules and recent board minutes before your due diligence ends. Minutes can show a rule change that is being discussed but is not in the documents yet.

How does renting affect my property taxes in South Carolina?

Renting a home for more than 72 days a year can cost you the 4% owner-occupied tax ratio. South Carolina law sets that limit for the legal residence rate.

Most vacation rentals are taxed at the 6% ratio, like other second homes. Horry County says failing to qualify means an automatic 6%. If you plan to live in the home part of the year and rent it the rest, run the property tax at 6% when you build your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are short-term rentals legal in North Myrtle Beach SC?

Yes. The city allows them, but every short-term rental in city limits needs a business license that is renewed each year.

What is the state accommodations tax in South Carolina?

SCDOR lists 5% sales tax plus 2% accommodations tax, for 7% at the state level. County and city taxes are added on top.

Do I need a SC Retail License if I use a property manager?

Not if the manager or an online travel company takes every booking and collects the payment. If you book any guests yourself, you need one.

Can I keep the 4% tax rate if I rent my home part of the year?

Only if you rent it for 72 days or less in a calendar year and it is your legal residence. Most vacation rentals are taxed at 6%.

Related Reading

North Myrtle Beach SC Homes for Sale
Selling Your Home in North Myrtle Beach, SC
Moving to Horry County, SC: Your New Resident Guide
Little River SC Homes for Sale
Bellesera Neighborhood Guide

This post is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rental rules and tax rates change. Confirm current requirements with the City of North Myrtle Beach, Horry County, the SC Department of Revenue and a tax professional.

DANIELLE KING, REALTOR®

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