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

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Pickens County?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Pickens County, South Carolina. The county has implemented a regulatory framework that requires short-term rental operators to register with the county and comply with local accommodations fee requirements. As of July 1, 2024, all short-term rental owners must register through the county's online system and remit the local accommodations fee.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pickens?

Pickens hosts earn a median $23,881/year with $157 ADR and 50% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $38,223+ per year.

See the full Pickens market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Pickens County

Starting a short-term rental business in Pickens County requires several key steps:

1. Property Assessment and Zoning Compliance

Verify that your property zoning allows for short-term rental use
Ensure the property meets all building codes and safety requirements
Consider proximity to tourist attractions (Table Rock State Park, Lake Keowee, Blue Ridge Mountains)

2. Registration Process

Register your short-term rental through the county's official platform: **pickenscountysc-self.govplatform.com/**
Complete all required business information
Submit registration before commencing operations

3. Tax Collection and Remittance Setup

Implement systems to collect the local accommodations fee from guests
Set up monthly remittance schedule (due by the 20th of each month)
Consider using property management software that can automate tax collection

4. Insurance and Business Protection

Obtain adequate liability insurance for short-term rental operations
Consider business interruption coverage
Review homeowners insurance implications if operating from a personal residence

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Based on the available information, the primary requirements are:

Mandatory Registration

Short-Term Rental Registration through Pickens County's online platform
Local Accommodations Fee Registration - required for tax collection and remittance

Tax Registration

Registration for local accommodations fee collection and remittance
Compliance with state sales tax requirements (South Carolina 6% state sales tax applies)

Documentation Needed for Registration

Property ownership or lease documentation
Business contact information
Property address and description
Expected rental operation details

Note: The available information is limited regarding additional permits or licenses that may be required. Property owners should verify with local authorities for any zoning permits, business licenses, or other municipal requirements.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Local Accommodations Fee Requirements

Definition of Short-Term Rental: Pickens County defines a short-term rental as "any rooms, campground spaces, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations furnished to transients by any hotel, inn, tourist court, tourist camp, motel, campground, residence or any place in which rooms, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations are furnished to transients for a consideration."

Tax Collection and Remittance:

All short-term rental operators must collect the local accommodations fee from guests
Fees must be remitted to Pickens County by the 20th day of the month following collection
If the 20th falls on a non-business day, payment is due the next business day
A 5% penalty applies if payment is not received by the 20th of the following month

Third-Party Management:

Property owners using third-party vendors or property management companies remain responsible for ensuring local accommodations fees are collected and remitted
Owners must verify their management company is properly collecting and submitting fees

Legal Authority:

Regulations are codified in Pickens County Code of Ordinances, Article IV Section 10
Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances governs business regulations

Enforcement and Monitoring

Pickens County has partnered with Host Compliance, a specialized monitoring company
Over 400 short-term rentals have been identified throughout the county
The county is actively pursuing compliance from non-registered operators

Tourism Fund Allocation

Local accommodations fees collected support tourism-related activities including:

Tourism-related buildings (civic centers, coliseums, aquariums)
Cultural, recreational, or historic facilities
Beach access and water access improvements
Highways, roads, streets, and bridges to tourist destinations
Tourism promotion and advertising
Water and sewer infrastructure for tourism demand

State-Level Regulations (South Carolina)

While specific city-level regulations are limited, short-term rental operators in Pickens County must comply with broader South Carolina regulations:

Sales Tax Requirements:

South Carolina state sales tax of 6% applies to short-term rentals
Operators must register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for sales tax collection
Monthly or quarterly filing requirements may apply

Zoning and Land Use:

Properties must comply with local zoning ordinances
Residential zoning may have restrictions on commercial rental activities
Check with Pickens County Planning Department for specific zoning requirements

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact:

Email: pcstr@pickenscountysc.gov
Phone: (864) 898-5844

Physical Address: Pickens County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Department
222 McDaniel Avenue, B-2
Pickens, SC 29671

Online Resources:

Registration Portal: pickenscountysc-self.govplatform.com/
County Website: www.co.pickens.sc.us/departments/parks,_recreation,___tourism/short_term_rentals.php

General County Information:

Main Phone: (864) 898-5844
Website: www.co.pickens.sc.us

Source Pages

Primary Sources:

News Coverage: 4. FOX Carolina News Coverage 5. FOX Carolina Video Coverage

Important Notes:

The provided content suggests that Pickens County does not have extensive city-specific short-term rental regulations beyond the accommodations fee and registration requirements
Property owners should verify zoning compliance with local authorities
Additional permits or licenses may be required at the municipal level depending on the specific jurisdiction within Pickens County
State sales tax registration with the South Carolina Department of Revenue is likely required for all short-term rental operations

This guide provides the essential regulatory framework for operating short-term rentals in Pickens County, but investors should consult with local authorities and legal professionals to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Pickens

Pickens is a small city serving as the county seat of Pickens County in the upstate region of South Carolina, with a population of roughly 3,000 residents. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town has a quiet, traditional small-town character and serves as a convenient gateway to some of the most celebrated outdoor destinations in the Carolinas. It sits approximately 20 miles northwest of Greenville and a short drive south of the North Carolina border, putting it within easy reach of mountain wilderness, scenic lakes, and college-town amenities.

The biggest draw in the area is Table Rock State Park, located about 20 miles north of town. The park is named for the distinctive flat-topped Table Rock Mountain and offers a network of hiking trails ranging from gentle lakeside walks to strenuous summit climbs, along with a small mountain lake, a campground, and cabin rentals. Its scenery and proximity to other nearby peaks make it a year-round destination for hikers, leaf-peepers, and families looking to experience the Blue Ridge without driving into the busier North Carolina sections of the range.

A bit further west, Lake Jocassee, tucked into the corner of Pickens and Oconee counties, is famous for its glass-clear water, waterfall-fed coves, and largely undeveloped shoreline. Visitors reach it primarily through Devils Fork State Park, where kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, and guided boat tours are popular. Together with neighboring Lake Keowee, Jocassee forms a freshwater recreation corridor that draws paddlers, anglers, and boaters throughout the warmer months and offers a striking contrast to the wooded ridgelines above.

Closer to town, the Hagood Mill Historic Site preserves a working 19th-century gristmill alongside a reconstructed Cherokee farmstead and exhibits on Appalachian life. The site hosts monthly demonstrations of milling, blacksmithing, and other traditional crafts, offering visitors a tangible sense of the region's rural heritage. In downtown Pickens itself, a compact main street of locally owned shops, diners, and the historic Pickens County Courthouse anchors everyday community life and gives the town its unhurried, neighborly feel.

Pickens works well as a short-term rental base for travelers who want mountain scenery and lake recreation without the higher rates and crowds of larger resort destinations. Its position between Greenville's dining and cultural scene, the Clemson University area, and the Blue Ridge outdoor corridor gives it a flexibility that appeals to hikers, road-trippers, and families exploring the upstate at a slower pace.