Charleston vs Savannah

South Carolina Restricted | Georgia 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
Savannah, Georgia
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $400 initial application; $250/year renewal
Tax Rate 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation

Savannah 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 Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal. Charleston renewal is annual, and Savannah renewal is annual. Overall, Savannah 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 Savannah, hosts pay 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Savannah, 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 Savannah, violations can result in Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. 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 →

Savannah Overview

STVRs permitted within Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic district overlay zones, plus select commercial/agriculture zones. 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner-occupied parcels in historic districts.

Contact: Savannah Planning & Urban Design — (912) 525-2783

Full Savannah guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Savannah?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Savannah 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 $400 initial application; $250/year renewal in Savannah. Overall, Savannah has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Savannah?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Savannah charges 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Notably, Savannah 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. Savannah: Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Savannah have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Savannah has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Savannah?
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. Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal with 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Savannah makes compliance easier for beginners.