https://www.fluffychs.com/news Airbnb and Vrbo policy changes and local short-term rental rules, explained for hosts and property managers. en-us Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://www.fluffychs.com/airbnb-host-only-fee https://www.fluffychs.com/airbnb-host-only-fee Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Airbnb Airbnb now takes one 15.5% fee from most hosts, charged on the cleaning fee too. What a $150 cleaning fee nets now, and the fee that keeps the clean covered. https://www.fluffychs.com/folly-beach-short-term-rental-cap https://www.fluffychs.com/folly-beach-short-term-rental-cap Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Folly Beach A judge struck down Folly Beach’s 800-license rental cap. The city appealed and froze most new licenses until Feb 19, 2027. What owners can do now. https://www.fluffychs.com/busiest-vacation-rental-weekends-2027 https://www.fluffychs.com/busiest-vacation-rental-weekends-2027 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Events The 2027 dates that will fill rentals in Charleston, Hilton Head, Savannah, Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, from SEWE to the Bridge Run, and how to prepare. https://www.fluffychs.com/airbnb-checkout-rules https://www.fluffychs.com/airbnb-checkout-rules Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Airbnb Airbnb’s updated checkout policy starts Nov 20, 2026: hosts can’t require guests to strip beds, wash dishes or take trash out. What you can still ask. https://www.fluffychs.com/vrbo-12-percent-commission https://www.fluffychs.com/vrbo-12-percent-commission Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Vrbo From Oct 29, 2026, Vrbo charges pay-per-booking hosts a flat 12% commission on the rental and host fees, cleaning included. What it does to your cleaning fee. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston#update-2026-10-21 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston#update-2026-10-21 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charleston The Planning Commission was set to take up the amendments again at its October 21 meeting, with the limit on guests per rental as the biggest change. The result had not been reported as of October 26. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-10-13 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-10-13 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Folly Beach Council voted unanimously to hire the Austin, Texas firm, one of four bidders, for the $50,000 study of the rental rules. Its six scenarios run from keeping the cap as it is to letting licenses transfer when a home is sold. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-09-25 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-09-25 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Chatham County The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the short-term vacation rental ordinance. As reported, they cap rentals that are not owner-occupied at 5% within designated districts, end the moratorium on new applications, tighten occupancy and parking rules, require two points of contact and allow licenses to be suspended or revoked for repeated violations. Chairman Chester Ellis called it “a work in progress”. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston#update-2026-09-16 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston#update-2026-09-16 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charleston The Planning Commission’s September agenda listed the revisions as deferred, with the planning director updating commissioners ahead of an action item on the October agenda. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-09-15 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-09-15 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Folly Beach Council gave first reading, 6-0, on September 8 to a rewrite that keeps the 800-license limit and removes the revenue-based registration fee the court objected to. Live 5 reported on September 15 that it had passed second reading. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-09-11 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-09-11 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Chatham County The draft commissioners reviewed set districts from county police response areas, each capped at 5% except homestead properties, dropped a 500-foot spacing rule, required a yearly parking plan with one space per bedroom, and limited homes on septic to two people per bedroom. The zoning portion was due for a vote on October 3; its outcome has not been reported. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-09-10 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-09-10 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tybee Island Council approved annual fees of $400 for rentals of 1 to 5 people, $800 for 6 to 10 and $1,200 for more than 10, replacing a $200 base fee plus a per-person charge. When the new fees start has not been reported. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston-county#update-2026-09-08 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston-county#update-2026-09-08 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charleston County In its latest round of zoning amendments, the county proposed that permit applications list the maximum number of bedrooms and every designated sleeping area, meaning any space used for overnight sleeping. Sleeping there would not be banned, but each area would need its own off-street parking space. The rule would mainly apply to new applications. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-08-27 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-08-27 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tybee Island Council adopted the overhaul 3-2: four residential sectors capped at between 175 and 250 rentals each, existing rentals counted toward the caps, a waiting list, reapplication by new owners and an emergency contact for every rental, or a fine. A civil-penalties ordinance passed unanimously. The rules take effect January 1, 2027. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-08-26 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-08-26 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Folly Beach Council approved a moratorium on most new short-term rental licenses, with exemptions for renewals, waitlist offers, owner-occupied 72-day rentals, some hardship and inheritance cases, and applications already filed. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-08-19 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-08-19 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Folly Beach Council voted to appeal the ruling, arguing it turned on how the cap was adopted rather than on the cap itself. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-08-14 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-folly-beach#update-2026-08-14 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Folly Beach Circuit Judge Thomas J. Rode ruled the 800-license cap was improperly adopted by referendum and the revenue-based registration fee was an improper tax disguised as a fee. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-08-06 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-08-06 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tybee Island Judge Christopher Middleton ruled for the city in a suit brought by the Tybee Alliance, finding the city may apply stricter rules to short-term rentals. WTOC reported the case dismissed; WSAV reported the judge denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston#update-2026-07-15 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston#update-2026-07-15 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charleston City staff proposed replacing the four-unrelated-adults limit, which officials call hard to enforce, with occupancy set by the Fire Marshal from bedroom size and capped at eight guests. Owners told the public hearing the cap could cut occupancy by a quarter or more, and the Planning Commission deferred the amendment instead of sending it to City Council. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-07-10 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-07-10 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Chatham County Commissioners approved a 120-day moratorium on new short-term vacation rental applications while they rewrote the rules. Existing permits and renewals were not affected. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-north-myrtle-beach#update-2026-06-30 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-north-myrtle-beach#update-2026-06-30 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT North Myrtle Beach A proposed ordinance on large unsupervised gatherings of minors at short-term rentals, which would require registration, a 24/7 responsible adult contact and occupant limits, stalled. A week earlier, police broke up several parties at rental properties in one weekend. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-05-27 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-05-27 Wed, 27 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tybee Island The May draft would have allowed up to 60% of homes to be rentals in the eastern and southern zones, which include the beach and the commercial district, and 30% in the western and northern zones. The adopted caps are set as numbers of rentals instead. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-05-22 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-chatham-county#update-2026-05-22 Fri, 22 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Chatham County Commissioners postponed the second reading of an earlier draft, which had a 500-foot spacing rule and limits on extra occupants overnight. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-south-carolina#update-2026-05-15 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-south-carolina#update-2026-05-15 Fri, 15 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT South Carolina The Municipal Association of South Carolina reported that H.3876 “was passed by the House, and placed on the Senate contested calendar where it remained when the General Assembly adjourned for the year.” https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-south-carolina#update-2026-05-05 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-south-carolina#update-2026-05-05 Tue, 05 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT South Carolina The Senate Finance Committee reported the bill favorably with an amendment that, as reported, lets the owner opt into a manager acting as merchant of record and requires property-level tax information to go to the Department of Revenue and local governments. Under the bill, managers rather than platforms would collect and remit the taxes; listings run by their owners would not be affected. Vrbo and Expedia supported it and Airbnb opposed it. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2026-05-01 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2026-05-01 Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hilton Head Island The amendments adopted in October 2025 took effect on May 1, 2026. Reports differ on whether permits renewed before adoption have until May 1, 2027 to comply, so check with the town. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2026-04-01 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2026-04-01 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hilton Head Island Council gave second-reading approval to the budget ordinance expanding the short-term rental program, which the town describes as a move from complaint-driven oversight to “performance-based management”. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston-county#update-2026-03-19 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston-county#update-2026-03-19 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charleston County The county considered notifying neighbors and community stakeholders when a limited home rental permit is approved and each time it is renewed. These permits currently require no notice. A final vote has not been reported. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2026-03-10 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2026-03-10 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Hilton Head Island The first reading added four full-time positions: a 24/7 dispatcher for a rapid-response hotline, two code enforcement officers and a property inspector, and made two part-time roles full-time. It also set a $250 late fee for renewals submitted after May 15, 2026, moving to April 30 in later years. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-north-myrtle-beach#update-2026-02-16 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-north-myrtle-beach#update-2026-02-16 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT North Myrtle Beach Council voted unanimously on second and final reading for an ordinance that lets officers order parties stopped and remove non-residents. The city attorney said it covers a tenant who “organizes, hosts or permits” a gathering, as well as the owner or whoever controls the premises. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston-county#update-2026-02-10 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-charleston-county#update-2026-02-10 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Charleston County Council moved toward a final reading on a change letting the zoning director deny a short-term rental application for up to two years after an enforcement action. New software shows staff the Airbnb and Vrbo listings, and the Post and Courier reported 196 unincorporated properties rented without a permit in 2025. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-south-carolina#update-2026-01-21 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-south-carolina#update-2026-01-21 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT South Carolina The House gave the bill third reading and sent it to the Senate, where it was referred to the Finance Committee. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-01-07 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-tybee-island#update-2026-01-07 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tybee Island A group of property management companies challenged Tybee Island’s short-term vacation rental ordinance in court. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-north-myrtle-beach#update-2026-01-06 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-north-myrtle-beach#update-2026-01-06 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT North Myrtle Beach The nuisance-party ordinance passed its first reading without opposition. https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2025-10-14 https://www.fluffychs.com/short-term-rental-news-hilton-head-island#update-2025-10-14 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT Hilton Head Island Council passed amendments to the short-term rental ordinance after voting to remove occupancy limits, adding a fire alarm requirement for larger rentals and a cap of six outside parking spaces, effective May 1, 2026. The Island Packet reported the vote as 6-1.