Residential housing, and thus one’s home, is a critical component in sustaining a sense of community in Isle of Palms and for enhancing the quality of life and the health, safety, and welfare of all those who reside in and visit Isle of Palms.  The majority of Isle of Palms’ residents support a diversity of housing uses, including full- or part-time residences and vacation rentals. Isle of Palms’ sense of community will be preserved if a balance of housing uses is maintained.  An imbalance of tourist housing will substantially change the livability of Isle of Palms neighborhoods for those who live here either full or part-time.

We support the principles espoused in the IOP Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan that Isle of Palms is primarily a residential community.  We believe in an equal balance among:
 

• Full-Time residents

• Part-time residents (second homeowners)

• Short-term rentals
   

We are actively monitoring the number of units of each type of residence in order to assess that balance and will continue to advocate for tightened city ordinances and strict enforcement of those livability ordinances in order to maintain the quality of life for residents. 

If we look at the numbers for the end of license years 2025 and 2026, we see an imbalance.  40% of all dwelling units are Short Term Rentals, which is not in line with the historically accepted balance of 33%.