SHORT-TERM RENTALS

The Town of Hilton Head has an ordinance regulating how short-term rentals operate on the Island. The ordinance applies to privately owned residential property used as vacation homes and short-term rentals for a rental period of fewer than 30 days. All owners who rent their property on a short-term basis must register with the Town of Hilton Head. A short-term rental permit must be obtained for each short-term rental property that is offered for short-term rental. The short-term rental permit is in addition and separate from the annual business license. Short-term rental permits and annual business licenses are valid from May 1 to April 30 each year.

If you plan to use your property for short-term rentals, you must obtain a short-term rental permit as well as a Town of Hilton Head Island business license before renting. Click here for the Town’s Short-Term Rental Property Owner Center.

Palmetto Dunes is a diverse community representing a blend of full-time, part-time, and rental property owners. This diversity is a core strength of Palmetto Dunes. However, with a growing number of short-term rentals in the community, we sought to achieve a greater balance between short-term rentals and non-rentals.

INFORMATIVE SIGNAGE

Click to download our informative flyers to share with your short-term rental guests. Printed signage is available for pick-up in our Pass Office at 16 Queens Folly Rd.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS TOOLKIT

As the owner of a short-term rental property in Palmetto Dunes, what steps do I need to take?

If you have any questions regarding the Short-Term Rental steps, please call the Pass Office at 843-785-1125.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

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WHAT NEW POLICIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PPGs?
  • One-hour response required for unresolvable issues
    • This will be for the vast minority of situations.
    • If security is called to the property and is able to resolve the issue without further incident, you do not need to do ANYTHING. Incidents will be treated the same for all owners (renters and non-renters). As a courtesy to rental owners, Palmetto Dunes will notify owners that they responded to the property. It is anticipated that notification will be made electronically on at least a monthly basis.
    • However, if Security needs to address an issue multiple times without resolve, you will be contacted and the rental management company and/or the property owner must return the telephone call to PDPOA within one (1) hour.
  • Display of Certain Signage
    • To help educate guests, keep them safe, and to minimize their risk of receiving a citation while in Palmetto Dunes, it is essential that all guests residing at a property can easily locate and view our most important rules. Based on our experience, once a guest has been made aware of our rules (often as the result of a response from Security due to a complaint), guests seek to comply and a follow-up from Security is rarely needed.
  • Distribution of Online Video
    • A guest who understands the policies will be safer and have a more enjoyable experience. Sharing our 2-minute online video is an engaging way to make them aware of the rules of the community.
  • Boarding or Rooming House Operation Prohibited
    • The entire property must be rented to the same person or entity, granting the tenant exclusive occupancy of the property for the term of rental. Owners may not rent a room, a portion of the property, or a guesthouse/accessory building on the property, while remaining in occupancy of another portion of the property.