Charleston vs San Diego

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
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.

Permits & Licensing

Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for STR licensing, while San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license). Charleston renewal is annual, and San Diego renewal is biennial. Overall, San Diego 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 San Diego, hosts pay 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in San Diego, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

San Diego imposes a 20-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 San Diego, violations can result in $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued 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 →

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.

Contact: STRO Administration, City Treasurer — (619) 615-6120

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. Overall, San Diego has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
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). Notably, San Diego 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. San Diego: $1,000 per violation; criminal misdemeanor charges for continued violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and San Diego have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. San Diego limits STRs to 20 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or San Diego?
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. San Diego charges Tier 1: $226; Tier 2: $317; Tier 3/4: $1,170 (includes application + license) with 11.75%–13.75% TOT (varies by zone proximity to Convention Center). Automatic tax collection in San Diego makes compliance easier for beginners.