FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) — The Folly Beach City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday to install a temporary moratorium on issuing new rental licenses.
The decision comes after a Charleston County judge on Aug. 14 struck down the island’s voter-approved 800-license cap and its registration permit fee, ruling that the cap was improperly enacted via referendum, and the fee constituted an unlawful tax under state law.
To limit the city’s legal exposure during the appeal, council members approved the first reading of a moratorium, back on August 19, that would pause all new short-term rental applications until an ongoing regulatory study is completed, or until the freeze expires in 2027…