Short-Term Rental Study
On January 4, 2024, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Resolution 2024-01 establishing a Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals. Members of the committee were appointed by Town Council on January 23, 2024.
The purpose of the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals is to bring together stakeholders from a variety of interests to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town and to recommend, no later than June 30, 2024, a comprehensive set of policy proposals that address a range of topics including, but not limited to, the following:
The itemization of topics above is not intended to imply what recommendations the committee will make, nor what action (if any) Town Council may take on the committee's recommendations.
This page is intended to serve as a resource for residents and property owners by providing access to public comment opportunities, background materials, links to meeting information, and project updates in one central location.
Please check back regularly as new information will be posted on this page when it becomes available. If you have any questions about the work of the committee, please feel free to contact Town Hall by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org.
The purpose of the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals is to bring together stakeholders from a variety of interests to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town and to recommend, no later than June 30, 2024, a comprehensive set of policy proposals that address a range of topics including, but not limited to, the following:
- Limiting the number of short-term rental units operating within the town;
- Limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rental units within the town;
- The imposition of fair and reasonable fees and taxes related to short-term rental units;
- Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life and safety of short-term rental unit occupants;
- Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life, safety, and quiet enjoyment of neighboring property owners and the community at large; and
- Other fair, reasonable, and enforceable policies related to the operation of short-term rental units within the town.
The itemization of topics above is not intended to imply what recommendations the committee will make, nor what action (if any) Town Council may take on the committee's recommendations.
This page is intended to serve as a resource for residents and property owners by providing access to public comment opportunities, background materials, links to meeting information, and project updates in one central location.
Please check back regularly as new information will be posted on this page when it becomes available. If you have any questions about the work of the committee, please feel free to contact Town Hall by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org.
Public Forums
In an effort to hear from all individuals and groups who wish to comment on short-term rental activities and regulations within the town, the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals will be conducting a series of public forums on the following dates, times and locations:
Public Forum #1
Public Forum #2
Public Forum #3
Public Forum #4
No one who wishes to speak will be denied the opportunity. It is impossible to predict whether demand will be greater than the capacity of each venue. The committee will schedule additional session(s) if they are deemed necessary to accommodate those who wish to speak. If a forum is suspended by the committee chair due to the length of time it has been going on, another session will be scheduled and priority will be given to any attendees who were unable to speak at the previous session.
Public Forum #1
- Date: Wed. February 21, 2024
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Location: Seabrook Island Town Hall (2001 Seabrook Island Road)
- Time Limit: Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments.
- Notes: Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org. If the number of registrants exceeds the capacity of council chambers, attendees will be selected in the order they are received. This forum will also be live streamed and archived on the town's YouTube page.
Public Forum #2
- Date: Thu. February 22, 2024
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Virtual Meeting (Via Zoom)
- Zoom Link: Click to Join Zoom Meeting
- Meeting ID: 832 5987 5794
- Passcode: 978729
- Time Limit: Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments.
- Notes: This forum is intended to enable individuals who are not full-time residents (or who are unable to attend an in-person session) to participate in a public forum. While the committee will not stop full-time residents from participating in the virtual meeting, the committee urges those who are able to attend an in-person session to appear in person instead of via Zoom. If an additional Zoom session is required, it will be scheduled for a later date. To join the meeting by phone, please contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org for dial-in instructions. The virtual forum will also be live streamed and archived on the town's YouTube page.
Public Forum #3
- Date: Mon. February 26, 2024
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Location: Seabrook Island Town Hall (2001 Seabrook Island Road)
- Time Limit: The chair will determine the length of time allocated to each presenter in advance of the forum.
- Notes: The purpose of this meeting is to accommodate individuals and groups who wish to make a formal presentation to the committee. Individuals and groups who wish to make a presentation should contact Katharine Watkins by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at kwatkins@townofseabrookisland.org no later than 12:00 PM on Fri. February 23, 2024. Please include the name of the presenter, the length of time desired, and whether any audio/visual materials or handouts will be used. Due to space limitations, attendance may be limited only to those individuals and groups making a presentation to the committee. This forum will also be live streamed and archived on the town's YouTube page.
Public Forum #4
- Date: Mon. March 4, 2024
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: The Lake House (2319 Seabrook Island Road)
- Time Limit: Each speaker will be limited to seven (7) minutes in which to make their comments.
- Notes: This forum will take place behind the SIPOA Security Gate. Any individual wishing to attend the forum who does not have access behind the security gate should contact (843) 768-9121 for assistance prior to the meeting. This forum will be live streamed and archived on the town's YouTube page.
No one who wishes to speak will be denied the opportunity. It is impossible to predict whether demand will be greater than the capacity of each venue. The committee will schedule additional session(s) if they are deemed necessary to accommodate those who wish to speak. If a forum is suspended by the committee chair due to the length of time it has been going on, another session will be scheduled and priority will be given to any attendees who were unable to speak at the previous session.
Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal
In addition to the public forums listed above, the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals is currently accepting written comments via the town's Short-Term Rental Public Comment Portal.
Individuals may use the public comment portal to provide comments regarding any issue or topic related to short-term rental activities within the Town of Seabrook Island. The committee will accept public comments submitted through the portal until Tues. March 12, 2024, at 12:00 PM.
All comments received through the portal will be forwarded to members of the Committee for review. Individuals who submit a comment will not receive a written response; however, comments may be addressed or discussed by members of the Committee during a public meeting.
Individuals may use the public comment portal to provide comments regarding any issue or topic related to short-term rental activities within the Town of Seabrook Island. The committee will accept public comments submitted through the portal until Tues. March 12, 2024, at 12:00 PM.
All comments received through the portal will be forwarded to members of the Committee for review. Individuals who submit a comment will not receive a written response; however, comments may be addressed or discussed by members of the Committee during a public meeting.
Meeting Information
To view agendas, minutes and videos for all meetings of the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals, please click here.
Supplemental Materials
Documents from the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals
Existing Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Previously Proposed Ordinances (Not Adopted)
Prior Reports
Other Information
Existing Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Previously Proposed Ordinances (Not Adopted)
- Draft Ord. 2023-14 - Proposed Nuisance Ordinance (Tabled November 28, 2023)
- Draft Ord. 2023-15 - Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance Amendments (Tabled November 28, 2023)
- Summary of Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance Amendments (Tabled November 28, 2023)
Prior Reports
- Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Short-Term Rentals (Issued May 10, 2022)
- Supplement to the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Short-Term Rentals (Issued May 19, 2022)
- Update from the Ad Hoc Committee on Short-Term Rentals (Issued March 28, 2023)
Other Information
Committee Recommendations
Once finalized, the recommendations from the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals will be posted here. Please check back later.