Charleston vs New York City

South Carolina Restricted | New York Effectively Banned

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
New York City, New York
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee $145 registration fee (OSE)
Tax Rate 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations

Charleston 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 New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE). Charleston renewal is annual, and New York City renewal is every 2 years. Overall, Charleston has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to New York City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Charleston, hosts pay ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). In New York City, hosts pay 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in New York City, 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 New York City, violations can result in $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent 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 →

New York City Overview

Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.

Contact: NYC Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement — (212) 676-4101

Full New York City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or New York City?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while New York City is "Effectively Banned." Charleston's permit fee is $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee compared to $145 registration fee (OSE) in New York City. Overall, Charleston has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or New York City?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while New York City charges 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Notably, New York 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. New York City: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and New York City have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. New York City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or New York 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. New York City charges $145 registration fee (OSE) with 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Automatic tax collection in New York City makes compliance easier for beginners.