Charleston vs Jersey City

South Carolina Restricted | New Jersey Restricted

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
Jersey City, New Jersey
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal
Tax Rate 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee
Day Limit 60 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for STR licensing, while Jersey City charges $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal. Charleston renewal is annual, and Jersey City renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Restricted."

Tax Obligations

In Charleston, hosts pay ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). In Jersey City, hosts pay 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Jersey City, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Jersey City imposes a 60-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 Jersey City, violations can result in $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. 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 →

Jersey City Overview

Adopted after 2019 voter referendum. Owner-occupied only — tenants and rent-controlled units prohibited. Unhosted stays capped at 60 nights/year. Only buildings with fewer than 4 units eligible.

Contact: Division of Housing Preservation — (201) 547-4821

Full Jersey City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Jersey City?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Jersey City is "Restricted." Charleston's permit fee is $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee compared to $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal in Jersey City. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Jersey City?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Jersey City charges 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee. Notably, Jersey City 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. Jersey City: $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Jersey City have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Jersey City limits STRs to 60 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Jersey City?
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. Jersey City charges $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal with 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee. Automatic tax collection in Jersey City makes compliance easier for beginners.