Charleston vs Salt Lake City

South Carolina Restricted | Utah 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
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines

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 Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details. Charleston renewal is annual, and Salt Lake City renewal is annual. Overall, Charleston has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City, hosts pay ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City, violations can result in Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. 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 →

Salt Lake City Overview

Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.

Contact: Salt Lake City Planning Division — (801) 535-7700

Full Salt Lake City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Salt Lake City?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Salt Lake 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 Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City. Overall, Charleston has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Salt Lake City?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Notably, Salt Lake 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. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Salt Lake City have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Salt Lake City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Salt Lake 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. Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details with ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Automatic tax collection in Salt Lake City makes compliance easier for beginners.