Common questions and answers regarding Short-Term Rentals/Bed and Breakfasts in the Town of James Island:
In summary:
- Does the Town of James Island allow property owners to rent their home out as a short-term rental, which is less than 30 days that can be rented on a nightly, weekend, or weekly basis on Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etc. if the home is not owner-occupied?
No, in order to have a legal Bed & Breakfast or short-term rental for less than 30 days, the home must be full-time owner-occupied and go through the correct application process (see below).
- Is there a minimum night requirement for a home that is not full-time owner occupied to be rented out in a single-family residential district?
Yes, a home must be rented out for a minimum of 30 days at a time if it is not full-time owner occupied.
- What are the application requirements to become a legal Short Term Rental /Bed & Breakfast in the Town?
The requirements are as follows:
- Completed Bed & Breakfast/ Short Term Rental Application
- Completed Business License Application
- Proof of full-time residency- Proof of full-time residency must be provided at the time of application with owner-occupied legal residence (4%) tax bill, driver’s license, voter registration, vehicle registration, and any other documentation requested by the Zoning Administrator and listed on the application.
- Floor Plan of Home- with required safety features noted.
- Parking Plan-Only one car per guest room is allowed and must be capable of being completely parked within and upon the premises.
The Bed & Breakfasts Application is available here: Short Term Rental Bed & Breakfast Application
If you have any additional questions regarding short-term rentals/ bed & Breakfasts, please contact the Town of James Island Planning/Zoning Department at 843-795-4141 or fwood@jameislandsc.us
The Town of James Island's regulations on Bed & Breakfasts/Short-Term Rentals in the Low-Density Suburban Residential (RSL) zoned neighborhoods, from the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR) are below:
§ 153.124 BED AND BREAKFASTS/SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
Bed and breakfasts/short-term rentals shall be subject to the following standards.
(A) In residential zoning districts there shall be no visible evidence of the conduct of a bed and breakfast/short-term rental when viewed from the street right-of-way or from an adjacent lot and signs are expressly prohibited.
(B) Bed and breakfasts/short-term rentals shall contain no more than three guest rooms.
(C) There shall be no cooking or kitchen uses in the bed and breakfast/short-term rental space, distinct from the principal dwelling, in residential zoning districts.
(D) Parking areas for bed and breakfast/short-term rental uses located in agricultural or residential zoning districts shall be screened from view of residential zoning districts and public rights-of-way by evergreen plant material that will provide opaque screening at the time of plant maturity. In addition to vehicles registered at the dwelling address, only one car per guest room is allowed and must be capable of being completely parked within and upon the premises.
(E) Owner of bed and breakfast/short- term rental shall be a full-time resident of the dwelling and shall reside in the dwelling in residential zoning districts. Proof of full-time residency must be provided at the time of application with owner-occupied legal residence tax bill, driver’s license, voter registration, vehicle registration, and any other documentation requested by the Zoning Administrator and listed on the application. There shall be an owner or innkeeper/manager residing on the premises in non-residential zoning districts.
(F) Advertisements and listings for bed and breakfast/short-term rentals must include an approved permit number. Advertisements that do not list a permit number are considered a violation of this section.
(Ord. 2012-06, § 6.4.4, passed 10-18-2012; Ord. 2013-02, passed 4-18-2013; Ord. 2019-01, passed 5-16-2019; Ord. 2023-04, passed 5-18-2023)
Month-to-month rentals are allowed.