CONTRAST — Town of Sullivan's Island: short-term renting is not permitted

Sullivan's Island is the strictest of the five and the one buyers most often get wrong. The town's own Long-Term Residential Rental Agreement — a form that "MUST BE SIGNED AND INCLUDED WITH A BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION" — states: "This rental license agreement acknowledges the below noted rental address will be leased for 28 consecutive nights or more. Any rental of fewer than 28 consecutive nights shall be deemed illegal and may lead to criminal prosecution by the Town of Sullivan's Island." The form also warns that "The Town actively seeks to identify and hold accountable property owners who illegally market/rent their property as short-term vacation rentals," and that "the Town may audit financial records and tax information to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions of the vacation rental ordinance." There is no short-term rental permit programme to apply to, no cap and no waiting list, because the use is not allowed. Existing vacation rentals survive only as nonconforming uses under the zoning ordinance: Code App. A (Zoning), Sec. 21-150(G) (Ord. 2018-07, passed 11-20-2018): "Vacation rental. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to allow the continued use of a Vacation Rental after damage or destruction of greater than fifty percent (50%) of its assessed value, regardless of reason for such damage or destruction." Sec. 21-150(B)(6) likewise bars new recreational facilities for "nonconforming vacation rentals which increase the patron or occupant space square footage devoted to a nonconforming use," and Sec. 21-150(E) treats a nonconforming use as abandoned after twelve months' discontinuance, after which the nonconforming status is lost. Town accommodations fee: 1% (Charleston County collects it) plus the county's 2%. Town phone (843) 883-3198; business licensing (843) 883-5727. Note the day figures differ between the town's licensing form (28 consecutive nights) and the county/state accommodations definitions (30 days / 90 days) — see notes.