Considering renting out your Upstate home? Make sure it qualifies

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - With the growth of the economy in Greenville, city officials are seeing an increase in residents using websites like Airbnb and VRBO to offer their homes for short-term rentals.

City officials say homes in residential zoning districts can be leased for a minimum of 30 days. Vacation rentals can only operate with a permit, a license, and in allowed, non-residential zoning districts of the city.

The residential zoning districts are R-6, R-9, RM-1, RM-2 and RM-3. Greenville residents can use the City Address Locator to find out which zoning district your home is in.

If your property is not in a residential zoning district the city says there are two types of allowable visitor accommodations:

Hotel/Motel

Is allowed in C-3, C-4, S-1 and RDV zoning districts
Requires an Occupancy Permit
Can be in zoning districts O-D and C-2 with a Special Exception Permit

Bed & Breakfast/Inn

Must be an owner-occupied dwelling
Requires an Accessory Use Permit for Home Occupation
Is allowed in OD, C-2, C-3, C-4, S-1 and RDV zoning districts as long as all of the criteria here are met
Requires a Special Exception Permit in zoning districts R-6, R-9, RM-1, RM-1.5, RM-2 and RM-3

Along with the permits, owners must have a business license and must pay accommodations tax.

Reports of illegal rentals can be made to Planning and Zoning at 864-467-4476.

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