Florence, South Carolina – In Florence, the calendar is beginning to matter for anyone who rents out a home, apartment or other residential unit inside city limits.
Property owners must submit their rental permit applications and required payments for the 2026-2027 permit year by June 30, 2026, as the city continues its annual Residential Rental Registry program.
The requirement is not new. Florence adopted its Residential Rental Registration Ordinance in October 2020 and updated it in 2022, establishing a registry for single-family and multi-family rental properties within the city.
The program was designed to help ensure rental housing remains habitable, improve communication between the city, owners, managers and tenants, and support broader neighborhood revitalization efforts.
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Under the ordinance, a residential rental permit is required for rental units operated by individuals, companies, corporations, limited liability companies and other legal entities. The rule applies whether a landlord manages property directly or uses a property management company. It also applies even when the owner already holds a business license connected to rental activity.
For the approaching permit year, the clock resets on July 1. Permits remain valid through June 30 of the following year, and every permit expires on June 30 regardless of when it was issued.
Fees are not prorated, and the city does not issue refunds for permits obtained later in the year. Once an application and payment are processed, permits are mailed or emailed to the applicant.
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Florence uses two application paths, depending on how rental property is owned. An individual who owns up to four residential rental units in his or her own name may file an Individual Application.
The fee is $25, whether the owner has one qualifying unit or four, and the same $25 fee applies each year when the permit is renewed. As part of the application, the owner certifies that the rental units meet basic livability standards listed on the city’s inspection checklist.
The Business Application is required for an individual owning five or more residential rental units, as well as for any residential rental property held by an LLC or another legal business entity. That application carries a $25 initial fee and requires a City of Florence business license.
After properties are initially entered into the registry, no annual rental permit fee is charged under this application type, but the business license must remain current and the property list must be updated as needed. Business license fees are based on gross rental income.
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A permit is required for each rental unit, although one application may include multiple properties. Owners who buy a rental property with an existing tenant must obtain a new permit in their own name because permits do not transfer from one owner to another. Changing tenants during an active permit year does not require a new permit.
Some properties may qualify for a waiver. A unit that is not being rented, or a home occupied by a family member who is not paying rent, utilities, fees or providing similar in-kind compensation, may be exempt after the owner submits a Waiver Form certifying the situation.
The city does not generally require a formal inspection before a permit is issued. Instead, owners or responsible representatives confirm that units comply with existing city codes through a checklist or affidavit.
Florence states that the registry does not create new housing standards; it applies codes already in place. Owners, managers or tenants may request an initial inspection at no charge by contacting the Codes Enforcement Unit at 843-665-3191.
Properties that fail inspection must be corrected before a permit is issued. After a third failed inspection attempt, an additional $25 inspection fee may be added. Units with unresolved code problems may be denied a permit, and existing permits may be revoked if violations are not corrected after notice.
While June 30 is the filing deadline, the city provides a 60-day grace period before enforcement begins. After that period ends on August 30, late renewals are subject to a $10 monthly penalty. If a permit has still not been obtained or renewed after 90 days, the owner may receive a Notice of Violation followed by a summons to municipal court. Outstanding city fees must also be paid before a permit can be issued.
Applications are available at City Center, second floor, 324 West Evans Street, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Forms may also be requested by mail or email, or downloaded through the city’s Residential Rental Registry page.
Owners seeking assistance may contact the Planning Department at 843-665-2047 or [email protected]. For Florence landlords, completing the annual process before June closes is the direct path to remaining compliant and continuing to rent legally in the city.
