North Myrtle Beach Property Owners Challenge Proposed Short-Term Rental Management Rule
Property Owners Voice Concerns Over Proposed Local Manager Requirement
North Myrtle Beach officials hosted their second public input session Tuesday regarding potential new regulations for short-term rentals, with one particular proposal drawing significant pushback from non-resident property owners.
The controversial rule would require owners living more than 30 miles from their rental properties to hire a local property management company or designated individual to oversee their units.
“I live 80 miles away from here, and I drive an hour and 20 minutes for every single departure of my unit,” explained Teresa McGee, who owns and manages a short-term rental condo at Crescent Towers.
McGee was among more than a dozen property owners who spoke against the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting. She personally handles all aspects of her rental, including inspections, cleaning, and maintenance after guest departures, despite not being a full-time North Myrtle Beach resident.
“It’s been heaven on the beach to me since 2008, and I am very proud of it, and I want to protect that property,” McGee said. “I’ve met my guests, I make sure they agree to my HOA guidelines and my house rules, and I don’t think that a property management company does that for me. They haven’t done that for me.”
Balancing Property Rights with Community Concerns
While non-resident owners like McGee take pride in their hands-on management approach, some full-time residents have reported ongoing issues with poorly managed short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods.
The city has received numerous complaints about rental guests parking illegally, hosting disruptive parties, and improperly disposing of trash—problems that have persisted through this summer and in previous years.
“Our full-time residents continue to express concerns about how short-term rentals are managed, and some of the quality-of-life issues that can result when those properties are poorly managed,” noted James Wood, Director of Planning and Development.
City officials emphasized that no formal short-term rental ordinance has been drafted yet, describing Tuesday’s meeting as strictly an information-gathering session on the ongoing issue.
Questions About the Process
Some property owners, however, questioned the city’s commitment to genuine dialogue when no council members attended the public input session.
Jennifer Riley, an out-of-state property owner, expressed her concerns about the process: “I’m hoping that this was done in good faith and that they are very much open to communicating with STR owners and getting our feedback. I’m hoping that’s the case, but obviously didn’t see that tonight.”
Core Issues at Stake
The debate highlights the complex balance North Myrtle Beach officials must strike between:
- Protecting the rights of property owners to manage their investments as they see fit
- Addressing legitimate quality-of-life concerns from full-time residents
- Maintaining the city’s appeal as a tourist destination
- Ensuring proper oversight of rental properties
For owners like McGee, the proposed management requirement represents an unnecessary financial burden that could diminish their rental income and personal connection to their properties. They argue that responsible owners shouldn’t be penalized for problems caused by a minority of poorly managed rentals.
Meanwhile, full-time residents contend that absentee ownership can lead to oversight gaps that affect neighborhood livability and property values.
The Path Forward
As North Myrtle Beach weighs potential regulations, the city continues to collect public feedback. Residents and property owners who couldn’t attend the meeting can submit written comments through the city’s website.
This issue reflects broader tensions emerging in vacation communities nationwide as they grapple with the growth of short-term rentals and their impact on housing markets, neighborhood character, and municipal resources.
The city has not announced a timeline for when potential regulations might be formally proposed or implemented, but the level of engagement from property owners suggests any new rules will face careful scrutiny from stakeholders on all sides of the debate.