🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Hilton Head, SC
Hilton Head Finalizes Comprehensive STR Ordinance Prioritizing Safety, Parking, and Community Balance
Hilton Head Tightens the Rules: STR Safety and Parking Take Center Stage
After more than a year of heated debate, Hilton Head has officially rolled out a fresh set of rules for short-term rentals (STRs)—marking a major moment for one of South Carolina’s most popular vacation destinations. The Town Council’s 6–1 vote on Tuesday night sealed the deal, wrapping up a long process that’s had neighbors, rental owners, and local officials at odds over how to balance tourism with livability.
The final ordinance skips controversial occupancy limits but packs a punch on safety and parking standards. Starting May 1, 2026, all STR owners will be required to prove their rentals are fire-safe. That means working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and if propane is used, gas detectors. Homes larger than 3,600 square feet will need a monitored alarm system, and outdoor grills must have automatic shut-off timers. The message is clear—Hilton Head wants safer stays for guests and peace of mind for neighbors.
Parking rules are also getting a serious tune-up. STRs can now host no more than six vehicles on site, with strict bans on street and lawn parking. Each parking space must be at least nine by eighteen feet, and driveways can’t be expanded just to cram in extra cars. These changes target some of the biggest resident complaints—overflowing vehicles, blocked sidewalks, and noisy weekends.
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Still, not everyone’s cheering. Council members Patsy Brison and Steve Alfred pushed hard to keep occupancy limits in the ordinance, arguing that without them, some properties could pack in “20 people in bunk beds” and strain neighborhood infrastructure. Their motion failed 2–5, and Brison was the lone vote against final passage.
Despite that disappointment, the council agreed that enforcement and permit fees are due for an overhaul. The current $250 annual STR permit fee may soon rise, though officials say more time is needed to calculate program costs.
For now, Hilton Head’s STR scene is heading into a new era—one that trades headcounts for hard limits on cars and a firm focus on fire safety. The clock is ticking for hosts to comply by 2026—or 2027 if their permit renewal came before Tuesday’s vote.
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