Charleston vs Nashville

South Carolina Restricted | Tennessee 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
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations

Nashville 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 Nashville charges $313 permit fee. Charleston renewal is annual, and Nashville renewal is annual. Overall, Nashville 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 Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Nashville, 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 Nashville, violations can result in $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated 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 →

Nashville Overview

Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.

Contact: Nashville Codes Department — (615) 862-6590

Full Nashville guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Nashville?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Nashville 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 $313 permit fee in Nashville. Overall, Nashville has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Nashville?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Notably, Nashville 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. Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Nashville have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Nashville has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Nashville?
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. Nashville charges $313 permit fee with 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Nashville makes compliance easier for beginners.