Charleston vs Detroit

South Carolina Restricted | Michigan Legal but Limited

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
Detroit, Michigan
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $500 annual license fee
Tax Rate 6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined)
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $1,000–$1,200 per violation for unlicensed operation

Detroit 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 Detroit charges $500 annual license fee. Charleston renewal is annual, and Detroit renewal is annual. Overall, Detroit has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) 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 Detroit, hosts pay 6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Detroit, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Detroit imposes a 90-night annual limit, while Charleston has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

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 Detroit, violations can result in Up to $1,000–$1,200 per violation for unlicensed operation. 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 →

Detroit Overview

90-day annual rental cap; max 10 guests at any time; principal residence requirement. Liability insurance required and properties must pass safety inspection.

Contact: BSEED — (313) 224-2733

Full Detroit guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Detroit?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Detroit is "Legal but Limited." Charleston's permit fee is $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee compared to $500 annual license fee in Detroit. Overall, Detroit has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Detroit?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Detroit charges 6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined). Notably, Detroit 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. Detroit: Up to $1,000–$1,200 per violation for unlicensed operation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Detroit have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Detroit limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Detroit?
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. Detroit charges $500 annual license fee with 6% Michigan use tax + 6% Detroit Accommodations Tax (12% combined). Automatic tax collection in Detroit makes compliance easier for beginners.