Charleston vs Philadelphia

South Carolina Restricted | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license. Charleston renewal is annual, and Philadelphia renewal is annual. Overall, Philadelphia has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) 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 Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Philadelphia, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Philadelphia imposes a 180-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 Philadelphia, violations can result in $300/day for unlicensed rental. 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 →

Philadelphia Overview

Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.

Contact: Philadelphia L&I — (215) 686-2463

Full Philadelphia guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Philadelphia?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Philadelphia 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 $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia. Overall, Philadelphia has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Philadelphia?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Notably, Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Philadelphia have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Philadelphia makes compliance easier for beginners.