🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Myrtle Beach, SC

A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates—Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.

Myrtle Beach's New Short-Term Rental Restrictions Aim to Keep Tourism Strong

The city’s latest move to protect short-term rentals came through the unanimous approval of a new zoning overlay at the December 2024 City Council meeting, which will prevent oceanfront hotels and motels from being converted into long-term apartment complexes.

The new overlay which applies to properties located east of Kings Highway restricts the conversion of short-term rental buildings into long-term housing for more than 90 days. This zoning change is designed to preserve Myrtle Beach’s position as a top vacation destination as city leaders believe that losing these properties would hurt the tourism sector and lead to a significant loss in tax revenue.

City Attorney William Bryan introduced an important amendment to the proposal allowing current owners who had business licenses for long-term rentals to continue operating as long-term landlords—provided they keep their licenses active.

Assistant City Manager Brian Tucker shared concerns that turning former hotels and motels into long-term housing would not meet the dignity or needs of residents, and that these properties were better suited for short-term rentals in the context of Myrtle Beach’s tourism-driven economy.

While affordable housing remains a concern, city leaders are confident that this zoning overlay is the best way to protect both the economy and the community’s character. The city’s analysis indicated that converting 1,000 short-term rentals into long-term housing could result in a nearly $3.7 million loss in taxes, underlining the financial stakes.