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

• Explicitly allowed: Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in South Carolina. There is no statewide prohibition on STRs. Regulation is primarily local. Landrum itself has no city-specific STR ordinance published in the sources provided. As a result, investors operate under South Carolina state law and Spartanburg County rules. If you proceed, confirm current city or county provisions directly with the city or county, as ordinances may change. For reference, nearby Spartanburg County sets a 3% Local Accommodations Tax and issues business licenses through the county. Source: www.spartanburgcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/1822/HotelMotel-Owner-Accommodation-Tax-Information

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step-by-step approach (generalized for South Carolina and Spartanburg County):

1. Business license: Obtain a local business license (typically issued by the city or county where the property is located). Licenses are annual and often based on gross revenue. For properties in Landrum, confirm licensing with Spartanburg County. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
2. Tax registration: Register to collect and remit state and local taxes:
   • State Sales Tax (5.0%)
   • State Accommodations Tax (2.0%)
   • Local Option Sales Tax (1.0%)
   • County Transportation Tax (1.0%)
   • School District/Education Tax (1.0%)
   • County Accommodations Tax (up to 3.0%)
   • City Accommodations Tax (up to 3.0%) Confirm applicable rates and filing with Spartanburg County. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
3. Zoning review: Verify zoning allows STR use for your property. The state has no statewide zoning for STRs; zoning is local. If Landrum has no specific STR rules, check Spartanburg County zoning and any deed restrictions or HOA rules. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
4. Safety compliance: Install and maintain smoke detectors on every sleeping level and in each bedroom; place carbon monoxide detectors near fuel-burning appliances; keep a 2A:10BC fire extinguisher, fully charged, at specified intervals (e.g., every 75 feet). Some cities require inspections; confirm if Spartanburg County requires inspections for STRs. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
5. Insurance: Carry comprehensive STR insurance. Ensure at least $1,000,000 in general liability coverage for operations. Many municipalities require this; even when not required, it is essential risk protection. Source: www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/
6. Operating controls: Establish guest screening (minimum age, if any), quiet hours, parking rules, occupancy caps, and a house manual with emergency contacts and local rules. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
7. Advertising: Include permit/license numbers (if required) in all listings. Use professional photography and accurate descriptions; ensure alignment with local rules. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
8. Collections and remittances: Collect guest taxes at booking; remit to the appropriate authorities on schedule (often monthly). Maintain records for at least two years. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

General documentation checklist:

• Government-issued ID (driver’s license)
• Federal EIN
• SSN or ITIN
• Proof of ownership (deed or tax record) and/or residence
• Proof of fee payment
• Site plan and floor plan
• Insurance policy declarations showing liability coverage (recommended minimum $1,000,000)
• Safety devices verification:
  • Smoke detectors (every sleeping area, adjacent hallways, one per level)
  • Carbon monoxide detectors (near fuel-burning appliances)
  • 2A:10BC fire extinguisher, fully charged, positioned per code
• Business license application and fee
• Tax registration documentation
• House manual (guest rules, emergency contacts, local ordinances, parking)

Permits and licenses:

• Business license: Annual, revenue-based fee; verify issuing authority (Spartanburg County) for Landrum. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• STR permits: Many SC cities require an annual STR permit; Landrum-specific permit not documented in sources. Confirm with Spartanburg County or the City of Landrum. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws

Safety inspection:

• Local inspection requirements vary. Confirm if Spartanburg County or the City of Landrum requires inspections and scheduling. Sources: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws; www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/

Advertising and records:

• Include license/permit numbers in all ads (when required).
• Maintain guest logs for at least two years (name, phone, dates), as some jurisdictions require this.
• Maintain compliance records for two years. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• State (South Carolina):

  • STR defined as rentals for less than 30 consecutive days (some cities adopt slightly different definitions).
  • No statewide ban; regulation is local.
  • Taxes are extensive and must be collected and remitted by hosts:
    • State Sales Tax: 5.0%
    • State Accommodations Tax: 2.0%
    • Local Option Sales Tax: 1.0%
    • County Transportation Tax: 1.0%
    • School District/Education Tax: 1.0%
    • County Accommodations Tax: Up to 3.0%
    • City Accommodations Tax: Up to 3.0%
    • Income Tax: Federal and applicable state/local
    • Property Tax: Applicable municipal/county rates
  • Safety requirements: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguishers; some jurisdictions require inspections.
  • Business license and local permits often required; renewals annual. Sources: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws; www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/

• County (Spartanburg County):

  • Local Accommodations Tax: 3% for Spartanburg County; remit per county instructions.
  • Business licensing and tax administration are handled by the county; verify if a separate STR permit is required.
  • Occupancy limits and minimum stay rules are typically municipal; confirm with the county or city for any local conditions. Source: www.spartanburgcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/1822/HotelMotel-Owner-Accommodation-Tax-Information

• City (Landrum):

  • No city-specific STR ordinance identified in the provided sources. Treat Landrum as operating under state and county frameworks unless a local ordinance exists.
  • Confirm zoning (and any HOA/deed restrictions) directly with Landrum and Spartanburg County. Sources: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws; www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/

Contact Information for Local Authority

• Spartanburg County (Licensing/Taxes/Accommodations Tax):
  • Website: www.spartanburgcounty.org (Business License; Finance; Accommodations Tax)
  • Phone: Use county website directory or call the main line to route to Business License/Finance
  • Email: Contact via county website
• City of Landrum:
  • Phone and email: Not provided in the sources. Contact the City of Landrum directly for zoning confirmation and any municipal business licensing. Sources: www.spartanburgcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/1822/HotelMotel-Owner-Accommodation-Tax-Information

Important: Contact Spartanburg County first for business licensing and accommodations tax rules. Confirm with Landrum whether a municipal business license or STR permit is required and whether zoning allows STR use in your specific neighborhood.

Links to Source Pages (Important)

• Statewide STR overview and processes: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• County accommodations tax (Spartanburg): www.spartanburgcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/1822/HotelMotel-Owner-Accommodation-Tax-Information
• Additional South Carolina city rules and insurance requirements: www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/

Note: The first source provides the authoritative tax rates and licensing sequence for South Carolina; the second provides the county-level accommodations tax reference for Spartanburg County; the third offers supplementary requirements and insurance standards.

Investor Guidance

• Landrum is a smaller market adjacent to North Carolina. Because city-specific STR rules are not documented in the provided sources, operate under SC state law and Spartanburg County rules, and confirm directly with both the City of Landrum and Spartanburg County regarding zoning, permits, and inspections.
• Taxes can easily exceed 12–14% when local accommodations taxes apply. Incorporate these into pricing and cash flow models. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• Liability risk is real. Maintain at least $1,000,000 in general liability coverage tailored to STR operations. Source: www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/
• Maintain meticulous records of guests, taxes, and compliance documentation for at least two years. Source: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws
• Before purchase, verify zoning and HOA/deed restrictions, and ensure the property can meet safety standards. This reduces permitting delays and operating risk. Sources: www.gosummer.com/post/south-carolina-short-term-rental-laws; www.proper.insure/regulations/south-carolina-airbnb-laws/