The bill S. 442 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to provide municipalities and counties the authority to regulate short-term rentals. It introduces a new section, 6-1-195, which allows local governing bodies to enact ordinances that can prohibit short-term rentals, require registration, appoint a responsible local representative, and impose various regulations such as inspection and maintenance requirements. The bill also defines key terms related to short-term rentals, including "property owner," "residential dwelling," and "short-term guest." Additionally, it establishes that short-term rentals will be treated as commercial use, necessitating a business license, and mandates property owners to maintain liability insurance.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing sections of the code, including Section 12-36-70, which updates the definitions of "retailer" and "seller," and adds Section 12-36-15 to define "accommodations intermediary." It also modifies Section 12-36-920 to remove the exemption for facilities with fewer than six sleeping rooms from the accommodations tax and changes the time frame in Section 27-50-250 regarding vacation rental agreements from ninety days to one hundred eighty days. The bill is set to take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
03/11/2025: 6-1-195, 12-36-70, 12-36-15, 12-36-920, 27-50-250
03/19/2025: 6-1-195, 12-36-70, 12-36-15, 12-36-920, 27-50-250
Latest Version: 6-1-195, 12-36-70, 12-36-15, 12-36-920, 27-50-250