Charleston vs Columbus

South Carolina Restricted | Ohio Legal with Permit

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Charleston, South Carolina
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee
Tax Rate ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible
Columbus, Ohio
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary)
Tax Rate 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation

Columbus has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for STR licensing, while Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary). Charleston renewal is annual, and Columbus renewal is annual. Overall, Columbus has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Charleston (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Charleston, hosts pay ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). In Columbus, hosts pay 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Columbus, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Charleston face penalties including Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. In Columbus, violations can result in Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Charleston Overview

Whole-house STRs are effectively banned; at least one full-time resident must sleep on-site each night. Max 4 adult guests. Charleston is one of the few U.S. cities that criminally prosecutes illegal STR operators. $1M liability insurance required.

Contact: Charleston Dept. of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability — (843) 724-7311

Full Charleston guide →

Columbus Overview

Governed by Columbus Code Chapter 598; BCI background check required. Properties must be in eligible zoning district.

Contact: Dept. of Building and Zoning Services — (614) 645-8366

Full Columbus guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Columbus?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Columbus is "Legal with Permit." Charleston's permit fee is $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee compared to $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) in Columbus. Overall, Columbus has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Columbus?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Columbus charges 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. Notably, Columbus benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Charleston must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Charleston: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. Columbus: Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Columbus have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Columbus has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Columbus?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for permits with ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes) in taxes. Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) with 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Columbus makes compliance easier for beginners.