Hartsville, South Carolina Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are legal in South Carolina, including Hartsville. However, no specific city or county-level ordinances for Hartsville were found in the provided content. Therefore, this guide relies on statewide South Carolina regulations. Investors must comply with state laws and should contact local authorities for any additional rules.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in South Carolina (Including Hartsville)

Verify Zoning Compliance:
Confirm STRs are permitted in your property’s zoning district. Residential zones may have restrictions.
Register as a Business Entity:
File with the South Carolina Secretary of State (fee: ~$110) to operate as a business.
Obtain Local Business License:
Apply through Hartsville City Hall or Darlington County offices (contact details below).
Collect Statewide Taxes:
Register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SC DOR) for a retail license to collect and remit state/local taxes. Exemptions apply (see below).
Secure STR Insurance:
Obtain liability coverage beyond standard homeowners policies.
Meet Safety Standards:
Install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and post emergency exit diagrams. Pass inspections if required.
Consider Additional Permits:
Some municipalities require STR-specific permits—verify with local zoning offices.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

| Requirement | Details | Source | |-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Business Registration | South Carolina Secretary of State filing (~$110). | Statewide | | Business License | Local license from Hartsville/Darlington County. | Local | | STR Tax Registration | SC DOR retail license for accommodations tax collection. | Statewide | | Insurance | STR-specific liability coverage (injury, damage, theft, lost income). | Statewide | | Safety Compliance | Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency exits. | Statewide | | Inspections | May be required by fire/zoning departments. | Local |

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Statewide Requirements (South Carolina)

Tax Obligations:
- Definition: STRs are reservations <90 days.
- State Accommodations Tax: Required unless:
  - Rented <15 days/year, OR
  - Owner rents ≤6 bedrooms in their residence without using platforms (e.g., Airbnb).
- Registration: Required via SC DOR retail license unless renting <1 week/quarter.
Business Entity & Licensing:
- Register with the Secretary of State ($~110).
- Obtain local business licenses (fees vary by jurisdiction).
Safety & Occupancy Standards:
- Safety Equipment: Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting.
- Occupancy Limits: Based on bedrooms/parking (local variation possible).
Enforcement:
- Cities may impose fines for non-compliance (e.g., Beaufort: $1,000 fine).

Local Requirements (Hartsville/Darlington County)

No specific ordinances found in the provided content.
Action Required: Contact local authorities (below) for zoning, permits, or inspection rules.

Contact Information for Local Authorities

| Authority | Phone | Website/Email | |--------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------| | Hartsville City Hall | Not provided | Not provided (check official website) | | Darlington County | Not provided | Not provided | | SC Department of Revenue | Not provided | Not provided |

Note: The provided content lacks specific contact details. Use the Hartsville municipal page (Lodge Compliance) for updated contact information.

Links to Source Pages

South Carolina STR Laws:
https://www.lodgecompliance.com/states/south-carolina
(Statewide STR regulations, taxes, and compliance steps)
Hartsville STR Reference:
https://www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/hartsville-sc
(Placeholder page for Hartsville-specific rules—verify with local authorities)
SC Municipal Association Insights:
https://www.masc.sc/sites/default/files/uploads/uptown/2023/185670_march-uptown-webready.pdf
(General STR regulatory framework across SC cities)

Key Takeaways for Investors

Legality: STRs are legal in Hartsville under state law.
Compliance: Focus on statewide tax, safety, and business registration requirements.
Due Diligence: Verify local zoning rules and permits with Hartsville/Darlington County.
Tax Exemptions: Review SC DOR rules for small-scale or infrequent rentals.
Resources: Use the Lodge Compliance Hartsville page for updates.

Disclaimer: This guide is based solely on the provided content. Consult local authorities or legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific rules.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Hartsville?

Hartsville hosts earn a median $16,230/year with $119 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $23,989+ per year.

See the full Hartsville market breakdown

Next step

Found a property in Hartsville?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Hartsville

Hartsville sits in Darlington County in the Pee Dee region of northeastern South Carolina, a small city of roughly 7,500 residents that serves as a quiet college town anchored by Coker University. The community blends a walkable, brick-lined downtown with leafy residential streets and the long heritage of Sonoco, the global packaging company that was once headquartered here. Positioned about 25 miles west of Florence and roughly 90 miles northeast of Columbia, Hartsville offers an unhurried base within easy reach of the region's marquee draws, from stock-car racing to the Atlantic coast.

For motorsports travelers, Darlington Raceway, the storied "Too Tough to Tame" superspeedway, lies about 15 miles east in the city of Darlington. The 1.366-mile oval hosts annual NASCAR Cup Series events, including the Southern 500, and its on-site museum offers a deep dive into stock-car history. The short drive makes Hartsville a natural overnight stop for race weekends and a useful base for fans who prefer quieter lodging than the track-side hotels.

Just outside downtown, Kalmia Gardens is a roughly 35-acre botanical preserve maintained by Coker University, with walking trails winding through azaleas, camellias, and bottomland forest along Black Creek. It is a favorite of photographers and birders in spring and a peaceful, low-key stop year-round, and the adjacent stretch of Black Creek adds a small paddling option for visitors with kayaks.

About 20 miles southeast near Timmonsville, Lake Robinson offers fishing, kayaking, and lakeside picnicking against a wooded backdrop, while a longer day trip can carry visitors onward to the Grand Strand beaches of Myrtle Beach, roughly 100 miles to the southeast. Closer to home, the Coker University campus contributes a steady rhythm of student move-ins, family weekends, graduation, and sporting events, which helps stabilize year-round demand for lodging in a market this size.

Hartsville's combination of small-town character, an active university calendar, and proximity to Darlington Raceway, gardens, lakes, and the coast makes it an appealing base for short-term rentals. Visitors get genuine Southern hospitality and a slower pace, with a surprisingly wide spread of activities within an easy drive, and that balance of small-town comfort and regional access is exactly the mix that tends to perform well for short-term rental owners.