Charleston vs Sacramento

South Carolina Restricted | California 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
Sacramento, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax
Tax Rate 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details

Sacramento 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 Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax. Charleston renewal is annual, and Sacramento renewal is annual. Overall, Sacramento 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 Sacramento, hosts pay 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Sacramento, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Sacramento imposes a 90-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 Sacramento, violations can result in Contact city for current details. 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 →

Sacramento Overview

Host must reside in the property at least 184 nights/year (primary residence requirement); non-primary-residence rentals capped at 90 days/year. Maximum 6 guests at any time.

Contact: Revenue Division, Finance Department — (916) 808-8500

Full Sacramento guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Sacramento?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Sacramento 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 $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax in Sacramento. Overall, Sacramento has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Sacramento?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. Notably, Sacramento 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. Sacramento: Contact city for current details. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Sacramento have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Sacramento limits STRs to 90 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Sacramento?
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. Sacramento charges $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax with 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. Automatic tax collection in Sacramento makes compliance easier for beginners.