Goose Creek, South Carolina Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Goose Creek, SC. The city has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rentals under Title XI, Chapter 115 of the City of Goose Creek Code of Ordinances. However, investors must obtain proper permits and licenses before advertising or operating any short-term rental property.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Goose Creek?

Goose Creek hosts earn a median $35,442/year with $161 ADR and 77% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $49,737+ per year.

See the full Goose Creek market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Goose Creek

Step 1: Pre-Application Research

Verify zoning compliance with the Planning and Zoning Department
Confirm the property is not in a Planned Unit Development District without HOA approval
Ensure the property can accommodate required parking (1 space per bedroom)
Review the city's Noise Control Ordinance (quiet hours 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM)

Step 2: Application Submission

Complete the Short-term Rental Unit Permit Application online through the city's portal
Submit all required supplemental documents and forms
Pay the $100 annual permit fee
Allow processing time before advertising or operating

Step 3: License and Tax Registration

Obtain annual Business License from the City
Register for Accommodations Tax (ATAX) collection
If using a rental agent, ensure they obtain their own Business License

Step 4: Compliance Setup

Designate a qualified local agent (24/7 availability, within 1-hour response time)
Post required documents in the rental unit
Set up tax remittance system (monthly filings due by the 20th)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

Short-term Rental Unit Permit ($100 annual fee)
- Required before advertising or operating
- Annual renewal mandatory
- Not transferable (new permit required with ownership change)
Business License
- Required for property owner
- Required for rental agent if different from owner
- Annual renewal required
Accommodations Tax License
- Required for tax collection and remittance
- Separate from business license

Required Forms and Documentation

Agent Authorization Form
- Designates qualified local agent
- Must be 18+ years old with 24/7 availability
Short-Term Rental Checklist
- Initial and sign confirming compliance
- Life-safety compliance verification
Property Owner's Responsibilities and Acknowledgement Affidavit
- Confirms understanding of obligations
Notice to Adjacent Property Owners Affidavit
- Documents notification to neighbors
Home Occupation License Application (home-stay rentals only)
HOA/POA Approval Letter (if in Planned Unit Development District)

Proof of Ownership

Title documentation or recorded deed
Property tax records
Purchase agreement or settlement statement

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Location and Capacity Restrictions

Maximum 1 STR per lot
Dwelling must be principal or primary residence
Cannot be accessory structure
Off-street parking required: 1 space per bedroom
Vehicles cannot block sidewalks

Operational Requirements

Agent Responsibilities

The designated agent must:

Be available 24/7 at listed phone numbers
Respond to property within 1 hour of notification
Receive legal notice service on owner's behalf
Produce rental agreements for current occupants
Monitor property weekly for compliance

Guest Information Posting Requirements

Must post in conspicuous location (back of main door or refrigerator):

Copy of STR Permit
Guest Information document containing:
- Agent name, address, phone, email
- Business License number
- Maximum occupancy
- Required parking locations
- Emergency numbers (police and fire)
- Solid waste and recycling schedule
- Nearest hospital location
- Quiet hours notice (10:00 PM - 7:00 AM)

Tax and Financial Obligations

Accommodations Tax (ATAX)

Rate: 1% of gross short-term rents
Due monthly by the 20th of following month
Applies to all consideration including non-optional fees
Remitted directly by owner (not collected by platforms)

Penalty Structure

5% penalty for payments delinquent by one month
Interest calculated on late payments

Permit Modifications and Transfers

Changes to rental agent require permit modification
Bedroom count changes require permit modification
Ownership transfer immediately invalidates permit
New owner must apply for fresh permit

Prohibited Activities

Operating without proper permits
Exceeding occupancy limits
Blocking sidewalks with vehicles
Creating nuisances during quiet hours (10 PM - 7 AM)
Failing to maintain posted information

Contact Information

City of Goose Creek

Address: 519 North Goose Creek Blvd P.O. Drawer 1768 Goose Creek, SC 29445

Phone: 843-797-6220 Fax: 843-863-5208

Licensing and Tax Contact

Email: licensing@goosecreeksc.gov Contact: Jennifer Althoff Email: jalthoff@goosecreeksc.gov

Technical Support

GovOS Support: blt.str.support@govos.com Phone: (888) 751-1911

Source Links

City STR Permit Information: www.goosecreeksc.gov/government/departments/administration/business-licenses/short-term-rentals
Short-term Rental Application Instructions: www.goosecreeksc.gov/sites/default/files/PIO/2023.07.13%20Short-term%20Rental%20Application%20Instructions.pdf
Goose Creek Business Center: goosecreeksc.munirevs.com/faq/
Apply for Short Term Rental Unit Permit: www.goosecreeksc.gov/how-do-i/apply-short-term-rental-unit-permit
Goose Creek Online Portal: goosecreeksc.portal.opengov.com/

Important Notes for Investors:

The city does not partner with Airbnb or VRBO for tax collection
Independent inspections are encouraged but not required by city
Insurance companies may have additional requirements
Homeowners' Associations in Planned Unit Developments may have additional restrictions
Permit fees are separate from business license fees
Tax filings required even during months with no rental activity

This regulatory framework provides clear guidelines for legitimate STR operations while maintaining neighborhood quality of life standards.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Goose Creek

Goose Creek is a mid-sized city in Berkeley County, South Carolina, situated in the Lowcountry about 20 miles north of downtown Charleston along U.S. Highway 52. With a population of roughly 45,000 residents, it is one of the larger cities in the Charleston-North Charleston metropolitan area and has the feel of a fast-growing suburban community surrounded by pine forests, marshland, and tidal creeks. The city is best known as a quiet residential base for military families connected to the nearby Naval Weapons Station Charleston and Charleston Air Force Base, and as a convenient launchpad for visitors exploring the greater Charleston region, including the historic city center, the plantations along Ashley River Road, and the beaches of Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms.

Roughly a 30-minute drive south of Goose Creek, historic downtown Charleston offers one of the most photographed old towns in the United States, with pastel row houses along Rainbow Row, French Quarter galleries, open-air markets, and antebellum landmarks such as the Battery and Waterfront Park. Visitors can stroll cobblestone streets, tour the City Market, and dine at restaurants that have helped define Lowcountry cuisine. Charleston, South Carolina

A short drive west toward Moncks Corner brings travelers to the Old Santee Canal Park, the site of South Carolina's first canal and a regional landmark tied to early American engineering. The park features boardwalks through cypress swamp, a small interpretive museum, and walking trails along the Cooper River. Old Santee Canal Park

About 25 minutes southwest of Goose Creek lies Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, one of the oldest plantations in the American South, dating to 1676. It is renowned for its romantic azalea and camellia gardens, its Audubon Swamp Garden, and the preserved antebellum home, which together draw visitors year-round. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Just north of the city, the Francis Marion National Forest spreads across more than 250,000 acres of pine-hardwood forest and blackwater swamp, offering hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and paddling on rivers such as the Wambaw and the Black. It is one of the largest protected woodlands along the South Carolina coast and provides a markedly wilder counterpoint to the coastal attractions farther south. Francis Marion National Forest

Goose Creek appeals to short-term-rental owners because it combines affordable suburban housing stock with immediate access to some of the Southeast's most visited destinations. Guests can spend a morning touring Charleston's historic streets, an afternoon among the swamps and gardens of Berkeley County, and a weekend exploring nearby beaches and the national forest, all while staying in a calmer, more residential setting than the often-crowded historic core. The result is a comfortable base that works equally well for family travelers, military visitors, and road-trippers moving up and down the South Carolina coast.