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

• Allowed: Yes, under state law short-term rentals are allowed in South Carolina unless explicitly banned by local ordinance.
• Explicitly allowed by city ordinance in Ehrhardt: No specific city STR ordinance is provided in the sources. The Bamberg County zoning and development regulations likely allow lodging uses in commercial or special purpose districts (e.g., “tourist home” or “boarding house” as lodging uses, with possible limits such as no more than five guest rooms), but the specific zoning district and permitted use table for your parcel should be confirmed before operation.
• Explicitly banned by city ordinance: No ban is documented in the provided sources.
• Recommendation: Confirm the base zoning of your subject property and the permitted use table with Bamberg County Zoning before listing.

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

• Confirm zoning use:
  • Verify your property’s zoning district (e.g., residential vs commercial) and whether lodging uses (e.g., “boarding house,” “tourist home,” or “lodging facility”) are permitted or require special/conditional use approval.
  • Because Ehrhardt does not appear to have city-specific STR rules, Bamberg County zoning and land development regulations govern what is allowed.
• Coordinate with the building department:
  • Check whether occupancy is in compliance with the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) for lodging uses. Under South Carolina law, short-term rentals are treated as lodging establishments and are subject to the same safety standards as hotels or inns.
  • If converting a dwelling unit to transient lodging, confirm the allowable occupancy, egress, smoke/CO detectors, fire suppression, and any required inspections.
• Obtain business registrations:
  • Register your business name with the Bamberg County Clerk of Court if using a fictitious name (link to South Carolina Secretary of State for procedures: scsos.gov/).
  • Open the business with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) for state sales and accommodations taxes (dor.sc.gov/).
• Set up tax remittance:
  • South Carolina charges sales tax and accommodation tax (local and state) on short-term rentals. Register with DOR, collect and remit these taxes, and file required returns.
• Insurance:
  • Secure property and liability coverage appropriate for lodging operations. Short-term rental platforms (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo) offer Host Liability Coverage, but these are not a substitute for a full commercial policy if required by your lender/insurer or local code.
• Listing and guest management:
  • Confirm no city-level ban or cap applies (none is documented in the provided sources).
  • Follow any HOA or property management rules if applicable.
  • Create house rules and provide emergency contact information. Maintain records for taxes and inspections.
• Compliance and record-keeping:
  • Retain copies of zoning determinations, registrations, tax accounts, and any inspection approvals. Keep records of all filings and remittances.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Zoning confirmation:
  • Letter or determination from Bamberg County Planning/Zoning confirming the allowed use on the parcel for transient lodging.
• Building/fire:
  • If the use is considered lodging, confirm compliance with IRC/IBC safety standards for lodging uses, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, egress, and, if required, fire suppression systems. Obtain any applicable inspections/certificates of occupancy.
• Business registrations:
  • SC Secretary of State business name registration (if using a fictitious name): scsos.gov/
• Taxes:
  • SC DOR business account for sales and accommodation tax: dor.sc.gov/
  • Complete any local accommodation tax registration if required by Bamberg County or any designated accommodations tax district (the provided sources do not specify a local accommodations tax structure; confirm with local officials).
• Insurance:
  • Property and liability insurance appropriate for lodging operations; consider an umbrella policy.
• Operational policies:
  • House rules, quiet hours, occupancy limits, and emergency procedures.

Specific regulations (City, County, State)

• City-level (Ehrhardt):
  • No short-term rental-specific ordinance is provided in the sources. As a result, city-specific restrictions on STRs (e.g., licensing, caps, parking, signage, or owner-occupancy requirements) are not documented. If any city-level rules exist, they would be in municipal ordinances or the code of ordinances (link: www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/bamberg-county-code-of-ordinances). Contact the Town of Ehrhardt Clerk’s office for confirmation of any municipal STR rules.
• County-level (Bamberg County):
  • Comprehensive Plan context (Bamberg County 2020): www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/bamberg-county-comp-plan-2020.pdf
    • The plan outlines housing, land use, and community character goals. It does not adopt a countywide ban on lodging uses; zoning controls determine land uses.
  • Zoning and Land Development Regulations:
    • Lodging uses such as “boarding house,” “tourist home,” and “hotel/motel” are typically permitted in C-1 (Commercial) or C-2 (General Commercial) and may be considered in special districts with potential conditions (e.g., limits on the number of guest rooms).
    • Confirm permitted uses and any special/conditional use requirements for your zoning district via the county planning department (official zoning and land development regulations link: www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/zoning-and-land-development-regulations/).
• State-level (South Carolina):
  • Allowed unless prohibited: South Carolina permits short-term rentals statewide unless specifically banned by a local ordinance.
  • Safety standards: STRs are treated as lodging establishments and must meet the same safety standards as hotels, inns, and hostels (e.g., smoke detectors, egress, and other IRC/IBC provisions).
  • Taxes:
    • Sales tax applies to accommodations; an accommodation tax is collected by South Carolina and some local jurisdictions (e.g., counties). Register with SC DOR and remit all applicable taxes: dor.sc.gov/
  • State planning resources: The Bamberg County plan is prepared under the South Carolina Planning Enabling Act (S.C. Code Title 6, Chapter 29) and references the Priority Investment Act, which sets planning and review requirements but does not govern STRs directly.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

• Town of Ehrhardt Clerk:
  • Phone: (803) 267-2000
  • Email: Not available in the provided sources
  • Website: Not available in the provided sources
• Bamberg County Planning Department:
  • Phone: (803) 245-8449
  • Email: Not available in the provided sources
  • Zoning and Land Development Regulations page: www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/zoning-and-land-development-regulations/
• Bamberg County Administrator’s Office:
  • Phone: (803) 245-8449
  • Address: 274 4th Street, Bamberg, SC 29003
• Bamberg County Treasurer (local tax questions):
  • Phone: (803) 245-8452
  • Address: 274 4th Street, Bamberg, SC 29003
• SC Department of Revenue:
  • Phone: (803) 898-5000
  • Website: dor.sc.gov/
• SC Secretary of State (Business Filings):
  • Phone: (803) 734-2158
  • Website: scsos.gov/

Links to source pages (IMPORTANT)

• Bamberg County Comprehensive Plan 2020: www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/bamberg-county-comp-plan-2020.pdf
• Bamberg County Code of Ordinances (municipal links): www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/bamberg-county-code-of-ordinances
• Bamberg County Zoning and Land Development Regulations: www.bambergcounty.sc.gov/zoning-and-land-development-regulations/
• SC Department of Revenue: dor.sc.gov/
• SC Secretary of State Business Filings: scsos.gov/

Practical considerations for this market

• Zoning and density:
  • Rural/suburban parcels may be zoned residential; lodging uses are typically allowed in commercial zoning districts. Confirm your district before listing.
• Safety:
  • If you operate as a lodging use, ensure compliance with IRC/IBC safety standards required for lodging establishments in South Carolina.
• Taxes:
  • Collect and remit South Carolina sales and accommodation taxes. Verify local accommodation taxes and collection rules with Bamberg County or any designated accommodations tax district.
• Local approval:
  • While no city STR licensing is documented, best practice is to secure a zoning determination letter and document compliance with any applicable inspections before listing.
• Long-term vs. short-term use:
  • Leases for fewer than 90 days are generally treated as short-term and taxed as lodging; longer-term leases are residential and not subject to accommodation taxes. Consult DOR guidance for specific scenarios.