Common questions and answers regarding Short-Term Rentals/Bed and Breakfasts in the Town of James Island:
In summary:
- Does the Town of James Island allow property owners to rent their home out as a short-term rental, which is less than 30 days that can be rented on a nightly, weekend, or weekly basis on Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etc. if the home is not owner-occupied?
No, in order to have a legal Bed & Breakfast or short-term rental for less than 30 days, the home must be full-time owner-occupied and go through the correct application process (see below).
- Is there a minimum night requirement for a home that is not full-time owner occupied to be rented out in a single-family residential district?
Yes, a home must be rented out for a minimum of 30 days at a time if it is not full-time owner occupied.
- What are the application requirements to become a legal Bed & Breakfast in the Town?
The requirements are as follows:
- Completed Home Occupation Application
- Completed Business License Application
- Proof of full-time residency from provided Tax Bill
- Compliance with fire safety checklist (provided on application)
- Provide floor plan of home - rooms should be labeled and must indicate the location of fire extinguishers, smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors, operable windows and emergency lighting.
- Parking Plan for guests- no on street parking allowed
The Bed & Breakfasts Application is available here: Bed & Breakfasts Complete Package
If you have any additional questions regarding short-term rentals/ bed & Breakfasts, please contact the Town of James Island Planning/Zoning Department at 843-795-4141 or planning@jamesislandsc.us
The Town of James Island's regulations on Short-Term Rentals/ Bed & Breakfasts in the Low-Density Suburban Residential (RSL) zoned neighborhoods, from the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR) are below:
§ 153.013 DEFINITIONS
HOTEL-MOTEL. A building or portion thereof, or a group of buildings, which provides sleeping accommodations, with or without meal service, for transients on a daily or weekly basis, whether such establishment is designated as a hotel, inn, automobile court, motel, motor inn, motor ledge, tourist cabin, tourist court, or tourist home.
§ 153.110 USE TABLE
Hotels or Motels, and Rooming or Boarding Houses, are not allowed in an RSL (Low-Density Suburban Residential) zoning district according to the Use Table that can be found in Section 153.110.
"Bed and Breakfasts" are allowed in an RSL zoning district with Conditions, with a Home Occupation Permit (must be full-time owner-occupied), Business License, and additional safety requirements. The Conditions are in Section 153.124 and Home Occupations in Section 153.210.
Month-to-month rentals are allowed.