Charleston Landlord-Tenant Rules
Charleston adds local rules on top of South Carolina landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Rental registration (pilot neighborhoods) | Charleston's Residential Rental Registration Pilot Program began in 2023 in Cannonborough-Elliotborough; City Council later approved expanding it to Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough. Owners or property managers of residential rental properties in these neighborhoods must register each long-term rental unit. The fee is $40 a year per tax map (TMS) number plus $10 for each additional unit, capped at $100 per TMS. Out-of-state owners need a local representative living or working within 30 miles of Charleston. The City says the program helps it enforce livability rules in areas with many rentals by giving staff a way to reach owners and managers. Contact: 843-579-6423 or Citizen Services, 843.724.7311. Penalties and deadlines are not stated on the City's page. |
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| Livability (health & sanitation) complaints | The City's Livability Department patrols residential areas and inspects residential properties for compliance with City codes on health and sanitation standards, overgrowth and abandoned vehicles, including cleanliness, garbage disposal and signs of vermin infestation. Report problems through Citizen Services at 843.724.7311 or citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov. Source: Official source |
| Free legal aid for renters | South Carolina Legal Services gives free legal help in civil (non-criminal) matters, including housing, to eligible low-income South Carolinians. Its Charleston office is at 2803 Carner Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405; (843) 720-7044 (toll-free (888) 720-2320); hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday until 7 p.m.. Eligibility follows SCLS income guidelines: https://sclegal.org/ Source: Official source |
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
No guaranteed right to counsel was found. Official source
Local agencies
- City of Charleston Livability Department — Inspects residential properties for health and sanitation code violations; runs the rental registration pilot. Citizen Services 843.724.7311.
- South Carolina Legal Services - Charleston Office — Free civil legal help, including housing, for eligible low-income residents. (843) 720-7044.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Charleston add on top of South Carolina law?
Rental registration (pilot neighborhoods): Charleston's Residential Rental Registration Pilot Program began in 2023 in Cannonborough-Elliotborough; City Council later approved expanding it to Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough. Owners or property managers of residential rental properties in these neighborhoods must register each long-term rental unit. The fee is $40 a year per tax map (TMS) number plus $10 for each additional unit, capped at $100 per TMS. Out-of-state owners need a local representative living or working within 30 miles of Charleston. The City says the program helps it enforce livability rules in areas with many rentals by giving staff a way to reach owners and managers.; Livability (health & sanitation) complaints: The City's Livability Department patrols residential areas and inspects residential properties for compliance with City codes on health and sanitation standards, overgrowth and abandoned vehicles, including cleanliness, garbage disposal and signs of vermin infestation. Report problems through Citizen Services at 843.724.7311 or citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov.; Free legal aid for renters: South Carolina Legal Services gives free legal help in civil (non-criminal) matters, including housing, to eligible low-income South Carolinians. Its Charleston office is at 2803 Carner Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405; (843) 720-7044 (toll-free (888) 720-2320); hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday until 7 p.m..
← All South Carolina landlord-tenant rules
Last verified against official sources: October 29, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.