Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Greer, SC?

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Greer, South Carolina, subject to state, county, and any applicable city regulations. Greer lies within Greenville County, and STR operations must comply with the same baseline state rules and county-level requirements. The City of Greer does not publish a separate, comprehensive STR ordinance in the provided content; therefore, treat Greenville County’s rules as the operative local requirements, with state law setting the minimum compliance baseline. Key implications:

• Property zoning and use-type classification control whether you can operate an STR and at what rental length.
• A Greenville County STR permit and a local business license are required to operate legally.
• STRs are taxed at the state level (sales and accommodations taxes) and at the local accommodations tax rate (e.g., 3% in the City of Greenville; confirm your specific jurisdiction).
• Minimum insurance of $1 million in commercial general liability is required under recent statewide guidance.

References:

• City of Greenville STR rules and zoning: www.greenvillesc.gov/1572/Short-Term-Rentals
• Statewide baseline and county-level permitting context: www.century21blackwell.com/blog/short-term-rentals-greenville-spartanburg-whats-legal-and-whats-not/
• South Carolina STR tax and licensing overview: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• Additional statewide legal overview: www.cedarmanagementgroup.com/south-carolina-short-term-rentals/

How to Start an STR Business in Greer, SC

Start with jurisdiction confirmation, then sequencing of permits and licensing:

1. Confirm jurisdiction and permitted use

• Verify your property’s location with the county or city to determine whether you’re inside the City of Greer or in unincorporated Greenville County. This dictates which local accommodations tax rate applies and whether additional city requirements might apply.
• Confirm whether your property is zoned for “Lodging” or similar visitor accommodations uses. Use county GIS or zoning tools; many residential zones do not permit short stays (<30 days). Mixed-use and commercial districts commonly do.

2. Obtain the required permits and business license

• Apply for a Greenville County Short-Term Rental Permit (approximately $40). Typical processing is about five days. Apply via the county’s eTrakit system or equivalent online permitting portal.
• Obtain a local business license before operating. Licenses are generally annual and require proof of identity, ownership, property details, and payment of fees based on projected gross revenue.

3. Secure the required insurance

• Maintain commercial general liability coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence, as required under South Carolina guidance.

4. Register for taxes and set up remittance

• Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (if required) for state sales and accommodations taxes.
• Arrange to collect and remit local accommodations taxes. Some jurisdictions require remittance by the 20th of each month.

5. Prepare the property and safety systems

• Install and maintain smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers per local codes.
• Provide a site plan/floor plan and a parking plan when requested. Ensure adequate and compliant parking.

6. Finalize operations and compliance tracking

• Keep thorough records, including guest logs, insurance certificates, permit documentation, and tax remittances.
• Prepare a house manual with emergency contacts, quiet hours, and local rules.
• Monitor renewals for business licenses and STR permits annually.

Quick-start checklist

• Confirm jurisdiction and zoning
• Apply for STR permit and business license
• Obtain $1M general liability insurance
• Register for state/local taxes
• Safety systems and plans in place
• Guest policies and record-keeping protocols

Permit/licensing sequence

• Step 1: Confirm jurisdiction and zoning eligibility for STRs
• Step 2: Apply for Greenville County STR permit and business license
• Step 3: Provide supporting documents (ownership proof, site/floor and parking plans, insurance, affidavit)
• Step 4: Obtain required safety systems and prepare property
• Step 5: Register for taxes and set up remittance
• Step 6: Launch and track compliance (inspections, taxes, renewals)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required documents and approvals

• Short-Term Rental Permit: ~$40; covers the property, operator, and operation details; processed in around five days.
• Business License: Annual; fee based on gross revenue; obtained from local authorities.
• Insurance: Commercial general liability ($1 million minimum per occurrence).
• Zoning/Use Verification: Property must be zoned for lodging/visitor accommodations. Residential-only zones may not permit <30-day rentals.
• Documentation Package:
  • Proof of ownership or authorization to operate
  • Site and floor plans
  • Parking plan
  • Liability insurance certificate
  • Compliance affidavit
  • Emergency contact details
• Safety Compliance:
  • Smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers per local code
  • Certificate of Occupancy if requested

State-level guidance and records

• Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue if you’re required to collect/remit state and local taxes.
• Maintain guest logs and compliance records for at least two years (recommended).

Supporting references

• Greenville County permitting, fees, and documentation: www.century21blackwell.com/blog/short-term-rentals-greenville-spartanburg-whats-legal-and-whats-not/
• Statewide document and licensing context: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• Local STR permit application guidance (Greenville): www.greenvillesc.gov/FormCenter/Building-Permits-19/EForm-Short-Term-Rental-340?

Specific Regulations: Greer (City), Greenville County (Unincorporated), and South Carolina (State)

State of South Carolina

• Delegated authority: STR regulation is primarily local; municipalities and counties may set zoning, caps, permits, and other rules.
• Insurance: Maintain commercial general liability coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence.
• Taxes: Collect and remit state sales tax (5%), state accommodations tax (2%), plus any local accommodations taxes. Some local options (e.g., local sales, transportation, school taxes) may also apply depending on jurisdiction.
• Licensing: A local business license is required to operate.
• Platform vs. direct rentals: Platforms often collect state taxes automatically; verify local taxes and ensure proper remittance.

City of Greenville (reference model for STRs)

• <30-day rentals: Not allowed in residential zones (e.g., RH-, RN-, RC-). Permitted in many mixed-use and commercial zones (MX-2, MX-3, MX-5, MX-D, MXS-2, MXS-3, MXS-5, MXS-D, BG, BH, IX, CM).
• 30–89-day rentals: More flexibility; allowed in both residential and non-residential zones under the “General Lodging” category.
• Taxes: 7% state combined + 3% City of Greenville accommodations tax (City of Greenville STRs).
• Permits: Occupancy permit, business license, supporting documentation; see application form.

Greenville County (Unincorporated areas; use this as the baseline for Greer)

• Zoning: Use county GIS to determine allowed lodging uses; properties may need special exceptions or may be limited in strictly residential zones.
• Permits & Licensing:
  • Short-Term Rental Permit via eTrakit (~$40; ~5-day processing)
  • Business license
  • Required documents: ownership proof, site/floor and parking plans, liability insurance, compliance affidavit
• Taxes: 7% state + 3% local accommodations tax for applicable jurisdictions
• Enforcement: Active enforcement, including identification of unpermitted properties and fines or court action.

City of Greer (current posture based on provided content)

• No separate comprehensive STR ordinance is published in the provided content.
• Operate under Greenville County rules, state rules, and any city-level licensing/tax requirements that apply. If the property lies within the City of Greer limits, confirm city-specific taxes and business license steps with the city.

Quick comparison: City vs County vs State

• Focus/Authority: State sets baseline; county and city set local rules and enforce.
• Zoning: City of Greenville has explicit restrictions on <30-day rentals in residential zones; county relies on GIS/zoning tools and case-by-case approvals.
• Permits/Licenses: Both city and county require permits and business licenses; county’s ~$40 permit is a common local baseline.
• Taxes: State (7%) + local accommodations tax (3% in many local jurisdictions).
• Insurance: $1M commercial general liability minimum.

State vs City of Greenville vs Greenville County (quick table)

• State: Delegated local regulation; $1M liability; state tax collection/remittance.
• City of Greenville (reference): <30-day STRs allowed only in non-residential zones; 30–89-day STRs allowed in broader zones; 3% city accommodations tax.
• Greenville County (unincorporated; baseline for Greer): STR permit via eTrakit (~ $40); business license; 3% local accommodations tax (jurisdiction dependent); active enforcement.

Taxes and Fees (What You Must Collect and Remit)

Tax rates and responsibilities

• State Sales Tax: 5% (remitted to SC Department of Revenue)
• State Accommodations Tax: 2% (remitted to SC Department of Revenue)
• Local Accommodations Tax: Up to 3% (e.g., City of Greenville applies 3%; confirm the City of Greer rate and whether any county local tax applies)
• Combined typical effective tax: Approximately 10% (7% state + 3% local) in many local jurisdictions; your exact rate depends on city/county boundaries and local options.

Key compliance notes

• Many booking platforms collect state taxes automatically; verify which taxes they collect and which you must collect and remit locally.
• Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue if required. Even where platforms handle state taxes, you may still need to file returns.
• City accommodations tax in some jurisdictions is due by the 20th of each month.

Tax rates by jurisdiction (quick table)

• South Carolina (State): Sales 5% + Accommodations 2% = 7%
• City of Greenville (if applicable): +3% local accommodations tax (total ~10%)
• City of Greer (within Greer city limits): Confirm local accommodations tax rate; may be 3% or differ (verify with city)

Fee schedule (permitting and licensing)

• Greenville County STR Permit: ~$40 (typical processing ~5 days)
• Business License: Annual; fee based on projected gross revenue

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

Local authority in charge of STRs (jurisdiction-dependent)

• City of Greer (City Hall – verify current STR contact):
  • Phone: 864‑848‑5500
  • Website: www.cityofgreer.com/
• City of Greenville (Planning & Development – reference for STRs):
  • Phone: 864‑467‑4475
  • Website: www.greenvillesc.gov/1572/Short-Term-Rentals
• Greenville County (Permitting & Zoning – reference for county rules):
  • Phone: 864‑467‑7050
  • Permitting Portal: eTrakit (for STR permit and business license)
• State tax registration:
  • South Carolina Department of Revenue: dor.sc.gov/
  • Phone: 803‑898‑5000

Important notes

• Contact details and departmental assignments can change; always confirm by phone and on the official websites.

Links to Source Pages (if available)

• City of Greenville – Short-Term Rentals: www.greenvillesc.gov/1572/Short-Term-Rentals
• City of Greenville – Short-Term Rental Permit Application Form: www.greenvillesc.gov/FormCenter/Building-Permits-19/EForm-Short-Term-Rental-340?
• City of Greer – Official Website: www.cityofgreer.com/
• South Carolina Department of Revenue: dor.sc.gov/
• Century 21 Blackwell – STR Legal Overview (Greenville/Spartanburg): www.century21blackwell.com/blog/short-term-rentals-greenville-spartanburg-whats-legal-and-whats-not/
• Summer – SC Short-Term Rental Laws: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• Cedar Management Group – SC STR Rules: www.cedarmanagementgroup.com/south-carolina-short-term-rentals/
• RedAwning – Greer STR Market Overview: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/greer-south-carolina

Final note for investors Greer’s STR landscape follows Greenville County rules unless the City of Greer issues its own specific requirements. Confirm zoning first, secure the county STR permit and a business license, carry at least $1 million in liability insurance, and set up tax collection and remittance. Maintain safety systems, provide required plans, and keep meticulous records. This compliance-first approach will protect your investment and minimize enforcement risk.