Charleston vs Minneapolis
South Carolina Restricted | Minnesota Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Charleston, South Carolina | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee | $64 short-term rental registration fee |
| Tax Rate | ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes) | 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible | Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses |
| Verdict | Minneapolis has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $64 short-term rental registration fee
Tax Rate 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses
Minneapolis has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Charleston guide →Minneapolis Overview
Owners limited to one STR property plus their homesteaded residence; buildings with 20+ units capped at 10% STR units. $300,000 liability insurance and neighbor notification required.
Full Minneapolis guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Minneapolis?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Minneapolis 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 $64 short-term rental registration fee in Minneapolis.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Minneapolis?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Minneapolis charges 6.875% state sales tax + up to 3% Minneapolis entertainment tax (~10% combined). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Charleston: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. Minneapolis: Up to $2,000 per violation; license revocation for repeated offenses.