Charleston vs San Diego
South Carolina Restricted | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Charleston, South Carolina | San Diego, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee | Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) |
| Tax Rate | ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes) | 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 20 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Biennial |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible | $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations |
| Verdict | San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
San Diego, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license)
Tax Rate 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center)
Day Limit 20 days/year
Renewal Biennial
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations
San Diego has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Charleston guide →San Diego Overview
Four-tier license system with caps: Tier 3 limited to 1% of housing units; Tier 4 (Mission Beach) capped at 30% and at capacity. Only one license per host; licenses are non-transferable.
Full San Diego guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or San Diego?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while San Diego 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 Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) in San Diego.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or San Diego?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while San Diego charges 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Charleston: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations.