Port Royal Implements New Ordinance to Regulate Short-Term Rentals

Port Royal Draws the Line on Short-Term Rentals

Hey there, Port Royal residents! Grab a cup of coffee and settle in because I have some big news that’s been making waves around town. Our beloved Port Royal, known for its charming neighborhoods and stunning views, has officially said “enough is enough” when it comes to short-term vacation rentals. That’s right, the Town Council has just passed a new ordinance to help keep our community feeling like home!

A Little Context

Let’s backtrack for a moment. In the past, there were absolutely no rules limiting how many short-term rentals, like those advertised on popular platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, could pop up in our town. Naturally, as more people started renting out their homes, concerns began bubbling among residents about how these rentals were affecting our neighborhoods. After all, with a growing number of vacationers flocking to the old village, it felt like our quaint community was slowly losing its charm.

The New Ordinance Explained

During a Town Council meeting this past Wednesday, members voted unanimously to introduce a revised short-term rental ordinance that limits the number of such rentals to a “breezy” 6% of the total residential units in five new districts created across Port Royal. This change is big for our town, which has a population of around 16,000. Now, if you live in one of the two districts already at that capacity, you won’t be seeing any new vacation rentals sprouting up anytime soon.

So, what happens if you want to rent out your property? You’ll need to purchase a business license before you can let out your vacation home for under 29 days. The cool part? The cost of the license will vary depending on how much income your short-term rental generates.

Why Now?

You might be wondering, “Why did it take so long to make these changes?” Well, in 2020, the Town Council actually turned down regulations on short-term rentals. Fast forward to today, and the number of these rentals skyrocketed from 70 to 110 in just four years! That increase obviously raised a lot of eyebrows and led to residents rallying for the Council to take another look at short-term rental policies. And here we are!

Balancing Growth

What’s important to note is that while Port Royal’s short-term rentals look like a tiny fish compared to the 10,000 units offered on Hilton Head Island, the problem is concentrated in just a few neighborhoods. Town Administrator Van Willis shared that in some areas, like south of Ribaut Road, an overwhelming number of properties have already been turned into short-term rentals.

Residents and officials are aware of the character of our neighborhoods. Many feel that when too many homes are turned into vacation spots, it disrupts the community feel and pushes locals out of their own town. Barbara Berry, a resident who served on the committee studying this issue, passionately stated that “it pushes out local residents from living here.”

What’s Next?

While the ordinance isn’t directly going to affect existing rentals, anyone looking to buy a property that currently has a short-term rental license will need to apply for a license within six months of the sale. But hey, if you own one of those cute little accessory units above your garage, you’re in the clear if you use it as your home! That won’t count towards the 6% cap!

It’s clear this was no easy decision for the Town Council, as they’ve been navigating a tricky situation where state lawmakers in Columbia are looking to limit local control over short-term rentals. As the Council tackles this growing problem, fellow residents are hopeful that these new rules will better balance tourism and community living in Port Royal.

Final Thoughts

As we embrace these changes, we all need to come together as a community. Let’s look out for one another and ensure our town maintains its special character. After all, it’s those big oak trees and friendly faces that make Port Royal the place we all love to call home!