Folly Beach, SC, Council Advances Rewrite of STR Ordinance

9/22/2026

The Folly Beach, South Carolina, City Council advanced a revised short-term rental ordinance after a judge struck down portions of the city’s voter-approved 800-license cap and registration fee. The proposed changes would eliminate the fee while maintaining a cap on new STR licenses, placing new applicants on a waitlist. The city previously imposed a temporary moratorium on new STRs following the ruling. Some residents urged council to delay changes until an ongoing STR study provides more data, while others raised concerns about property rights and potential litigation. The study remains in its early stages, with the city still seeking a contractor, and is expected to be completed by December. Mayor Chris Bizzell said the revised ordinance provides a temporary policy framework while the city awaits the study’s findings and continues navigating the legal process.

Live 5 WCSC (09/15/26) Maitane Orue

Why It Matters: The proposal preserves market-entry limits while the city navigates litigation and studies longer-term rules.