PRESERVE
ISLE OF PALMS
NOW
The Isle of Palms is a great place to live.
Let's keep it that way.
Who Are We?
We are full and part-time residents, former City Council members, former committee members and former Planning Commission members. We are dedicated to preserving the residential nature of the island through the limitation of short term rental business licenses. We are not against short-term rentals. We are determined to maintain the equilibrium on the island so that the quality of life for residents does not diminish.
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Why Us? Why Now?
On February 28th, a majority of City Council (Pounds, Streetman, Ward, Hahn and Popson) voted, upon motion made by Councilmember Streetman, to "go with alternative 5, no caps but continue to increase enforcement efforts and monitor trends and metrics at least semi-annually". We do not believe that decision serves the best interests of the residents or acts to preserve the residential nature of the island.
As we look to Folly Beach, we realize those residents were forced to present a petition for referendum in order to be heard. We are now on a similar path.
The petition is a clear compromise aimed at preserving the residential balance of our island. Please join us.
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OUR MISSION
To preserve and maintain the integrity of our residential neighborhoods and to minimize the disruption of existing residential patterns from the presence of an unlimited number of short-term rentals. We aim to preserve and protect the equilibrium on the island for both residents and visitors.
OUR VISION
To support the tenets of the Isle of Palms Comprehensive Plan and the proposition that the Isle of Palms is a premier barrier island residential community by advocating for measures that enhance the existing character of the island as a quality place to live, protect the environment both on and around the island, and preserve the quality of life for both residents and visitors for generations to come.
OUR PURPOSE
We strongly support amending Isle of Palms business license regulations, short-term rental regulations and code enforcement to prevent the continued deterioration of the residential footprint, to prevent adverse effects on our quality of life, and to reduce negative impacts on the island infrastructure.
TROUBLING TRENDS
THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
2002
2023
836 SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSES ON THE ISLAND
3,881 total dwelling units on the island.
Approximately 22% of those units held a short term rental license.
*Taken from IOP Comp Plan/Census records and IOP Planning Department records.
1,777 SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSES ON THE ISLAND
4,570 dwelling units on the island.
39% of those units hold a short term rental license.
*This figure does not include pending licenses or illegal rentals and is trending up. Registration period is open through 4/30/2023.
This is our home.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SHORT TERM RENTAL LICENSES ARE NOT LIMITED.
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Shrinking Residential Footprint
6% overall decline in residential population since 2000. 14% decline in residentially occupied dwellings.
Strain on the island's
Resources
Roads, water, sewage, bridges, beaches and natural environment.
Strain on the island's Public
Services
Law enforcement, fire department, emergency services, public works, etc.
Livability Issues on the Isle of Palms
