On October 13, the Hilton Head Island Town Council met to review the Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance, adopting key revisions that will impact property owners and investors. This outcome reflects successful REALTOR Advocacy efforts, which pushed for more favorable terms for owners.
The final adoption vote is scheduled for October 21 at 3:00 p.m.
Key Changes Adopted at the October 13 Meeting:
1. Occupancy Limits: The proposed "2 per bedroom + 2 rule" (which would have significantly restricted occupancy) was removed entirely. There are now no occupancy limits.
2. Fire Alarm Systems: The requirement for alarms was narrowed significantly. They are now only mandated for properties 3,600 sq. ft. or larger. The proposed manual alarm system requirement was also removed.
3. Parking Limits: The previous vague limits were clarified to a maximum of six (6) exterior parking spaces, with garages not counting toward this total.
New Effective Date & Compliance Timeline:
· The overall compliance date is now May 1, 2026.
· Property owners have an additional year for fire alarm compliance, pushing that specific deadline to May 1, 2027.
Permit Cycle Alignment: The permit cycle will move away from a calendar year and will now align with business license renewals, running from May 1 to April 30.
Our team is closely tracking this ordinance and all local real estate policies to ensure our clients have the most current information regarding property ownership and investment opportunities.
Please contact WONDER HOMES GROUP anytime if you have questions about how these changes may affect your property.
