🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Backs Away from STR Moratorium, Moves to Strengthen Rental Regulations
Finding Balance on the Beach: Hilton Head Eyes Stricter STR Rules Without a Ban
After weeks of fiery debate and packed public meetings, Hilton Head Island officials have officially stepped back from the idea of a short-term rental moratorium — opting instead for a plan to tighten rules on the island’s roughly 7,000 vacation rentals.
The pivot came after hundreds of rental owners and business leaders showed up to protest what they saw as a threat to the island’s tourism economy.
“There was never a suggestion to stop rentals altogether,” reassured Community Services and Public Safety Committee Chair Tamara Becker. “The goal has always been to manage them responsibly.”
Opponents of STRs, however, say the changes don’t go far enough. Residents at Tuesday’s committee meeting voiced deep frustration, calling STRs a “nuisance” and accusing some owners of prioritizing profits over neighborhood peace. “This is about protecting the community, not banning tourism,” one resident said.
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Following over 50 public comments, the committee approved a series of proposed updates:
- Permit Fees: $500 for 0–4 bedroom units; $1,000+ for larger homes.
- Fire Codes: Determined by property square footage.
- Parking: Up to six spaces per site.
- Occupancy: Requires “2 and 2” documentation.
- Floor Plans: Not required for submission.
- Insurance: Still not mandatory.
The proposal drew mixed reactions. Many homeowners said they’re open to fair rules but fear being “penalized for participating in Hilton Head’s success.” One speaker, shaking with frustration, accused the town of creating “punitive” policies aimed at driving out small-scale hosts.
Despite the emotional pushback, the committee unanimously voted to send the ordinance to the Town Council, which will take up the matter on October 13. The next meeting could determine how Hilton Head plans to regulate rentals going forward — and whether the town can find common ground between tourism-driven growth and residential tranquility.
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