News Release

Hilton Head Island Town Council Adopts Governor’s Order Impacting Short-Term Rentals

April 10, 2020

Due to overwhelming public concern, the Hilton Head Island Town Council today repealed an emergency ordinance it passed earlier this week and adopted Governor Henry McMaster’s previously issued executive order prohibiting short-term rentals during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Governor’s executive order 2020-19, signed into effect on Friday, April 3, directed owners of short-term rentals and other lodging accommodations from making or accepting new reservations from people traveling from areas the Centers for Disease Control has identified as places where COVID-19 transmission is widespread, including the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The Governor’s order defines lodging establishments as “hotel, motel, villa, condominium, inn, tourist court, tourist camp, campground, bed and breakfast, residence, or any place in which rooms, lodging, or sleeping accommodations are furnished to transients for a consideration.”