North Charleston STR Renewal Deadline: Don’t Let Your Permit Expire on February 28th

If you operate a short-term rental (STR) in North Charleston, it is time to check your calendar. While many administrative deadlines in the Lowcountry follow the standard calendar year, North Charleston operates on its own specific timeline.

To help our local hosts stay compliant and keep their calendars booked, we’ve broken down the essential details for the upcoming renewal cycle.

The Key Date: February 28th

Unlike Charleston County or the City of Charleston, which often utilize a December 31st expiration for various licenses, all North Charleston STR permits expire annually on February 28th.

This means that regardless of when you first obtained your permit during the previous year, the deadline to renew remains the same. Failing to renew by this date can result in the immediate loss of your right to host, potentially leading to fines or the forced cancellation of upcoming guest reservations.

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Why the Deadline Matters: Strict Caps and Compliance

North Charleston has become increasingly diligent in its oversight of the STR market. The city utilizes a district-by-district permit cap system to maintain the balance between tourism and local housing availability.

Because many of these districts are at or near their maximum capacity for short-term rentals, maintaining your current permit is vital. If your permit lapses due to a missed renewal deadline, your "spot" in the district cap could potentially be taken by someone on a waiting list, making it difficult—if not impossible—to re-apply in the near future.

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