Town of Hilton Head Island
Frequently Asked Questions
How long as the short-term permit requirement been in effect?
Town Council passed an ordinance regulating how short-term rentals will operate on Hilton Head Island on May 17, 2022. All owners of short-term rentals are required to obtain a short-term rental permit as of January 2023.
Why did the Town adopt a short-term rental Ordinance?
As a resort area, Hilton Head Island has numerous short-term rental units. The lack of a short-term rental Ordinance has led to an imbalance between residential and resort districts and the elimination of some long-term single-family neighborhoods.
The adopted ordinance facilitates the management of short-term rental impacts on our neighborhoods, economy, housing stock, public facilities, and the quality of life of our residents and experiences of our visitors.
What is the definition of "short-term"?
The Short-Term Rental Ordinance defines short-term as less than 30 days. This is different from the annual Business License and Accommodations Tax requirement which defines short-term as less than 90 days.
Are timeshares or hotels considered short-term rentals?
The Short-Term Rental Ordinance does not apply to timeshares or hotels.
How can I view the Short-Term Rental Ordinance?
The Short-Term Rental Ordinance is available on the Town's website.
What are the regulations in the Ordinance?
The ordinance establishes the assessment of an annual fee for short-term rental permits. The fee is limited to recovering costs associated with identifying short-term rental properties, ensuring compliance with permitting requirements, and addressing violations.
Who can act as my agent?
The property owner can designate any person or business to act as their agent, assuming they agree to and can meet the requirements in the Ordinance.
Does the Ordinance restrict the number of nights per years that a home or villa can be rented?
No.
Does the Ordinance restrict the number of guests that can occupy a home or villa?
Does the Ordinance restrict the number of vehicles that can park at a short-term rental property?
No. However, the Ordinance does require that the quantity of parking spaces available is designated. Each designated parking space must be on an improved surface and be at least 9x18 feet in size.
Does an owner or their agent always have to be on-site within an hour of receiving a complaint?
An owner or their agent does not necessarily always have to be on-site within an hour of receiving a complaint.
An owner or their agent may initially respond to a complaint by contacting the guest by telephone, by text, in person, or using another form of communication to request the guest take such action as is required to eliminate the problem that was the subject of the complaint.
What does "taking other responsive action" mean?
Aside from contacting the guest, taking other responsive action may also require the owner or their agent to visit the property if such action is necessary to attempt in good faith to eliminate the problem that was the subject of the complaint.
I own a property in a gated community with security services. Why would the Ordinance apply to my property?
All properties within the Town's limits would be subject to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
Though the Town's code enforcement services may in some cases overlap with the security services provided by a gated community, the Town ensures all short-term rentals meet licensing requirements and provides enforcement services for all short-term rental properties. The Town can also take enforcement actions, such as revoking the short-term rental permit, to address short-term rental properties that become nuisances
I own a house that I live in during the winter, and I rent the house to guests during the rest of the year. Would the Ordinance apply to my property?
If you rent your house for periods of less than 30 days, the Ordinance would apply to your property.
I own a condo that I lease for less than 30 days once or twice a year. Would the proposed Ordinance apply to my property?
If you rent your property for less than 30 days, the Ordinance would apply to your property, regardless of the total number of days per year or the number of times per year that you rent the property.
Will the short-term rental permit be transferable?
The contact information of the property owner and management company can be updated, but the permit itself cannot be transferred to a different property or a different property owner.
What is a site plan?
A site plan is a simple document which indicates the location of the trash storage as well as the number of available parking spots. Please note that each parking spot must be an improved surface and be at least 9 feet by 18 feet.
Who needs a site plan?
All single-family dwellings will need to submit a site plan with the short-term permit application. Condominiums and Villas are exempt from this requirement. If you are not sure if you are considered a single-family dwelling, contact our Community Development Department at: STRPlan@hiltonheadislandsc.gov
What is the short-term rental permit fee and what will it be used for?
If I have a short-term rental permit, do I still need a business license?
Yes. A short-term rental permit is different than a business license. A business license is required to operate a short-term rental.
What is a short-term rental monitoring and compliance service?
The Town has contracted with GovOS to identify, monitor, and permit short-term rentals properties.
How will complaints about short-term rentals be handled?
The Town has contracted with GovOS to establish a 24 hour a day hotline and an online portal to receive complaints and route them to the point of contact listed by the owner on the short-term rental permit.
Will every complaint result in a citation?
No. The purpose of the Ordinance is to create a short-term rental program that establishes expectations for all short-term rental properties within the Town.
Complaints that are resolved between the complainant, the owner or their agent, and their guests will not require further investigation or action by the Town.
In the case that complaints are not resolved, Town staff will provide education to non-compliant owners, their agents, and their guests to ensure they have the opportunity to resolve issues voluntarily.
What will prevent people from abusing the complaint system?
The Town will work with the complaint hotline and portal contractor to resolve issues with repeated, unfounded complaints.
What happens if the owner or their agent makes a good faith attempt to resolve an issue, but the guest won't comply?
If the Town is aware of a complaint that hasn't been resolved, Town staff will discuss the complaint with the owner and their agent to determine what steps have been taken to resolve the issue. Town staff will use reason and good judgment in assessing the complaint and the efforts taken by the owner and their agent to resolve it.
How do I apply for my Business License?
For business license information please visit the following website: https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/business/apply.cfm
How do I find my Business License information?
For business license inquiry please contact the Town at the following phone number 843-341-4677 or email RS@hiltonheadislandsc.gov
For Assistance, Contact
GovOS Support
blt.str.support@govos.com
(888) 751-1911
When contacting support, be sure to include the jurisdiction (Town of Hilton Head Island) and your account number in all emails or voicemails. This will help us assist you as promptly as possible. Thanks!
