North Myrtle Beach Short-Term Rental Owners Challenge Proposed Local Manager Requirement
North Myrtle Beach Short-Term Rental Debate Heats Up Over Property Manager Rule
The city of North Myrtle Beach held its second public input meeting on Tuesday as officials consider implementing new regulations for short-term rental properties throughout the area. However, one particular proposed rule has sparked significant opposition from property owners who live outside the city limits.
“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 operates a short-term rental condo at Crescent Towers.
McGee told reporters that despite not residing in North Myrtle Beach full-time, she personally handles all aspects of her rental property—inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining the unit after each guest checkout. She was among more than a dozen property owners who voiced concerns during Tuesday’s meeting about a city-wide proposal that would significantly impact their operations.
The controversial proposal would require all short-term rental units owned by people living more than 30 miles from North Myrtle Beach to hire a local property management company or individual to oversee their rentals.
Property Owners Defend Their Management Practices
“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.”
The sentiment echoed by McGee and other non-resident property owners stands in stark contrast to complaints the city has received from some permanent residents. Earlier this summer and in previous years, locals have reported issues with short-term rental guests, including illegal parking, loud parties, and garbage left in neighborhoods.
“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,” said James Wood, Director of Planning and Development.
Questions About City’s Intentions
City officials emphasized that no short-term rental ordinance is currently on the table and that Tuesday’s gathering was strictly designed to collect feedback on ongoing issues affecting the community. However, this explanation didn’t fully satisfy some property owners who attended the meeting.
Jennifer Riley, another out-of-state property owner, expressed disappointment that no city council members were present at the meeting.
“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,” Riley remarked. “I’m hoping that’s the case, but obviously didn’t see that tonight.”
Balancing Tourism and Local Interests
North Myrtle Beach, like many coastal communities along the Grand Strand, has experienced significant growth in the short-term rental market over the past decade. This growth has brought economic benefits to the region but has also created tensions between visitor accommodations and the quality of life for permanent residents.
The city’s approach to managing this balance reflects broader challenges faced by beach communities across South Carolina, where tourism drives the local economy but can sometimes clash with residential interests. Finding regulations that satisfy both property owners and full-time residents remains a delicate balancing act.
Next Steps for Proposed Regulations
As the city continues gathering input from all stakeholders, officials haven’t announced a timeline for when any formal proposals might be presented to the city council. Residents who couldn’t attend the meeting can still submit written comments to the city through its online portal.
For non-resident property owners like McGee and Riley, the coming months will be crucial as they monitor the city’s actions and potentially organize further opposition to requirements they view as unnecessary for responsible rental operators.
The ongoing discussion highlights the complex relationship between tourism infrastructure and residential quality of life in one of South Carolina’s most popular beach destinations, an issue likely to remain at the forefront of local politics as the region continues to develop.