How to get a short-term rental permit in Myrtle Beach, SC (2026)
Myrtle Beach requires City of Myrtle Beach Business License, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | City of Myrtle Beach Business License |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STR = any rental of less than 90 days. Every zoning district beginning with 'R' (residential) prohibits short-term rentals except RMV (Residential Multifamily Visitor); citywide, fewer than 30 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered. STRs therefore concentrate in commercial/mixed-use districts, especially east of Kings Highway. Ordinance 2024-069 (adopted Dec 10, 2024, effective immediately) created a Short Term Rental Conversion Overlay Zone east of Kings Highway from 29th Avenue South to 82nd Avenue North (about 114 blocks): buildings of more than two units built for or used as short-term rentals may not be converted to long-term (90+ day) rentals, with exceptions for operators already licensed for long-term rentals, owner-occupants/primary residences, and units never previously rented.
- 2
Apply for the City of Myrtle Beach Business License
Submit the City of Myrtle Beach Business License application to Myrtle Beach. No flat fee: the license fee is computed from gross receipts. Per the city application form, a base fee covers the first $2,000 of gross income, then bracketed rates apply per amount above $2,000 (rate varies by business class; the full rate-class schedule is not published as a table on the city website, but the application form's worked example shows a $145.00 base fee plus $6.00 per $1,000 of gross income between $2,000 and $2 million for the illustrated rate class). Non-resident businesses are charged double the resident rate on business done within the city. New applications are reviewed by Zoning, Construction Services, Fire, and Police before issuance.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Myrtle Beach. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Myrtle Beach changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Myrtle Beach before applying.