This guide covers North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina only. Neighboring markets often confused with North Myrtle Beach include:
- Myrtle Beach: Separate city with its own STR rules and licensing.
- Surfside Beach: Small beach town south of Myrtle Beach, distinct STR ordinances.
- Little River: Unincorporated area north of North Myrtle Beach, governed by Horry County rules.
- Cherry Grove: Neighborhood within North Myrtle Beach, not a separate jurisdiction.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in North Myrtle Beach with no cap or moratorium. A city business license is required, and the tax stack is high. Active rulemaking is ongoing, but no bans or severe restrictions are in place as of June 2026.
- Legality Status: 4/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 3/5
- Regulatory Stability: 2/5
- Enforcement Climate: 3/5
TL;DR
A short-term rental in North Myrtle Beach is any dwelling rented for less than 90 days. All STRs require a city business license (fee based on gross income), annual renewal, and must pay a 9%+ total lodging tax. No cap or special permit exists, but city council is considering new rules. The biggest gotcha: the city’s enforcement posture is shifting, with possible new local agent requirements and stricter oversight under review.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Rental of a dwelling unit for less than 90 days North Myrtle Beach City Council |
| Registration Required | Yes — City business license [Short-term Rentals |
| Permit Cost | Based on gross income; contact city for exact fee FAQs • Business Licenses |
| Annual Renewal | Yes; May 1–April 30 cycle FAQs • Business Licenses |
| Late Penalty | 5% if postmarked May 1 or later, +5% per month FAQs • Business Licenses |
| State Sales Tax | 5% South Carolina Department of Revenue |
| State Accommodations Tax | 2% South Carolina Department of Revenue |
| Horry County Accommodations Fee | 1.5% City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ |
| City Hospitality Fee | 1.5% City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 5% (2% state + 1.5% county + 1.5% city) City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ |
| Total Tax Burden (all taxes) | 9% (5% sales + 2% accommodations + 1.5% county + 1.5% city), plus 1% school and 1% road tax City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ |
| License Cap | No [Short-term Rentals |
| Transferable License | No; new license required on ownership change FAQs • Business Licenses |
| Occupancy Cap | Not codified — state/county building and fire codes apply City of North Myrtle Beach Official Website |
| Minimum Night Stay | Not codified — no separate city rule identified in sources reviewed City of North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances Index |
| Local Contact Requirement | Not codified — no separate city rule identified in sources reviewed City of North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances Index |
| Inspection Requirement | Not codified — state/county building/fire codes apply City of North Myrtle Beach Official Website |
| Density Limits | Not codified — no separate city rule identified in sources reviewed City of North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances Index |
| Primary Residence Rule | Not codified — no separate city rule identified in sources reviewed City of North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances Index |
| HOA/Condo Override | Not codified — check association bylaws Short Term Rental Rules North Myrtle Beach for Investors |
| Parking Requirement | Must comply with city parking ordinances North Myrtle Beach City Council |
| Insurance Requirement | $1M commercial general liability required (state law) South Carolina Airbnb Laws |
| Enforcement Penalties | Up to $1,088 fine and/or 30 days jail for unlicensed operation FAQs • Business Licenses |
| Primary Regulator | City of North Myrtle Beach Business License Office Business License Application |
| Last Updated | June 11, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
North Myrtle Beach STRs must secure a city business license (fee based on gross income), renew annually, and pay a combined 9%+ tax stack (state, county, city). Insurance with $1M coverage is mandatory. The city is actively considering new rules, including a possible local agent requirement. Underwriters should model compliance costs at {{COMPLIANCE_COST_PCT}} of gross revenue, with median North Myrtle Beach STRs earning $47,896 at an average daily rate of $286 and 53% occupancy. The binding constraint is the high tax stack and the risk of new operational requirements. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is considered a short-term rental in North Myrtle Beach?
A short-term rental is any dwelling unit rented for less than 90 days, for financial or other consideration North Myrtle Beach City Council.
Are short-term rentals legal in North Myrtle Beach?
Yes, STRs are legal with no cap or moratorium as of June 2026 Short-term Rentals | North Myrtle Beach, SC.
Does North Myrtle Beach have a cap on STR licenses?
No, there is no cap on the number of STR business licenses Short-term Rentals | North Myrtle Beach, SC.
Licensing
Do I need a business license to operate an STR?
Yes, a city business license is required before operating any STR Short-term Rentals | North Myrtle Beach, SC.
How much does the business license cost?
The fee is based on gross income and business classification; contact the city for your exact amount FAQs • Business Licenses.
How often do I need to renew my license?
Annually; licenses run May 1–April 30 and must be renewed by April 30 FAQs • Business Licenses.
Is the license transferable if I sell my property?
No, a new license is required if ownership changes FAQs • Business Licenses.
Taxes
What taxes apply to STRs in North Myrtle Beach?
STRs pay 5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, 1.5% Horry County accommodations fee, and 1.5% city hospitality fee City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ.
Does Airbnb collect all required taxes?
Airbnb collects state sales (5%), state accommodations (2%), and county accommodations (1.5%) taxes, but not the city hospitality fee (1.5%) Airbnb Help Center.
Do I need a state retail license?
Yes, you must obtain a South Carolina Retail License to file and pay accommodations tax Property Owners Association of South Carolina.
Operations
Is there a minimum night stay requirement?
No separate city rule on minimum night stays was identified in available sources City of North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances Index.
Are there occupancy limits for STRs?
No city-specific cap; state and county building/fire codes apply City of North Myrtle Beach Official Website.
Do I need to provide a local contact or property manager?
No codified requirement as of June 2026, but a local agent rule is under consideration MyrtleBeachSC News.
Are inspections required?
No separate city inspection rule; state/county building and fire codes apply City of North Myrtle Beach Official Website.
Can HOAs or condos ban STRs?
Yes, associations may impose stricter rules than the city Short Term Rental Rules North Myrtle Beach for Investors.
Enforcement
What are the penalties for operating without a license?
Fines up to $1,088 and/or 30 days in jail, plus all fees and penalties FAQs • Business Licenses.
Is enforcement complaint-driven or proactive?
The city is shifting toward more active monitoring and accountability MyrtleBeachSC News.
Are new STR rules coming soon?
Yes, city council is considering new requirements, including a possible local agent mandate WMBF News.
Are there lawsuits affecting STRs?
A lawsuit is pending regarding city trash collection fees for STRs Post and Courier.
Permit Process
All short-term rentals in North Myrtle Beach must obtain a city business license before operating. The license fee is based on gross income and business classification, and must be renewed annually by April 30. There is no special STR permit or cap, and licenses are not transferable if ownership changes. Failure to license can result in fines or jail time. A South Carolina Retail License is also required to remit state accommodations tax Short-term Rentals | North Myrtle Beach, SC FAQs • Business Licenses Property Owners Association of South Carolina.
Zoning
North Myrtle Beach does not have a special zoning or permit process for STRs beyond standard business licensing. STRs must comply with city ordinances on trash, parking, noise, and occupancy. No city-specific occupancy cap, density limit, or minimum night stay is codified; state and county building/fire codes apply. HOAs and condo associations may impose stricter rules, so always review governing documents City of North Myrtle Beach Official Website North Myrtle Beach City Council.
Taxes and Remittance
STRs in North Myrtle Beach are subject to a 5% state sales tax, 2% state accommodations tax, 1.5% Horry County accommodations fee, and 1.5% city hospitality fee. The total tax burden is 9%, plus additional school and road taxes. Airbnb collects state and county taxes but not the city hospitality fee, which hosts must remit directly. A South Carolina Retail License is required for tax compliance City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ Airbnb Help Center.
Enforcement and Recent Actions
The city is moving toward more active enforcement, with proposals for a local agent requirement and increased accountability. Complaints about noise, trash, and parking have prompted city council to consider stricter management. Fines for unlicensed operation can reach $1,088 and/or 30 days in jail. Enforcement is currently a mix of complaint-driven and proactive monitoring MyrtleBeachSC News FAQs • Business Licenses.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
As of June 2026, no new STR ordinance has been adopted, but city council is actively considering changes, including a local agent requirement for owners living more than 30 miles away. Multiple public input sessions have been held, and a lawsuit is pending over trash collection fees. At the state level, bills to preempt local STR bans and to change tax reporting are pending but not enacted WMBF News South Carolina Legislature Online.
Comparable Markets
- Myrtle Beach, SC — Consider if you want a larger, more regulated coastal market.
- Charleston, SC — Consider for historic district rules and stricter caps.
- Hilton Head Island, SC — Consider for resort-style STRs with HOA overlays.
- Greenville, SC — Consider for urban STRs with different enforcement climate.
Sources
- Short-term Rentals | North Myrtle Beach, SC
- Business Licenses | North Myrtle Beach, SC
- FAQs • Business Licenses
- City of North Myrtle Beach – Hospitality Fee FAQ
- North Myrtle Beach City Council Agenda Packet (May 21, 2021)
- City of North Myrtle Beach Official Website
- Business License Application
- South Carolina Department of Revenue – Accommodations
- Airbnb Help Center – Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in South Carolina
- Property Owners Association of South Carolina
- South Carolina Airbnb Laws: Short Term Rental Regulations in SC
- Short Term Rental Rules North Myrtle Beach for Investors
- WMBF News
- MyrtleBeachSC News
- Post and Courier
- South Carolina Legislature Online – Bill 3253, Bill 4573, Bill 3861, Bill 953
- South Carolina Legislature Online – Bill 3876
- Housing Authority of Myrtle Beach – Jurisdiction Map
- City of North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances Index
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in City of North Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina.
Ready to evaluate North Myrtle Beach as an STR market?
- See North Myrtle Beach revenue data → — Get up-to-date STR performance and occupancy trends.
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