Town of Sullivan's Island
Visitors
The Town of Sullivan’s Island, a barrier island north of Charleston Harbor, is comprised of approximately 2,000 residents in half as many households. These are primarily full or part time citizens that enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of the Island. There are very few short-term rentals and no hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, or other transient lodging. The Town, incorporated in 1817 as Moultrieville, did not allow lean-tos or shacks then as now. At that time lots were required to have a minimum of ½ acre and the same is true today. Sullivan’s Island is unique in that the beachfront lands which have accreted over the years, are owned by the Town and held in a perpetual easement by the Lowcountry Open Land Trust protecting the natural environment along the Atlantic Ocean. This Island has a long military history of protecting the harbor from invaders and there are many wonderful histories which capture those stories. Remnants of the military are abundant in now privately held military housing; even former fortifications are now single family residences. Many of these historic homes have withstood the test of time and ravaging weather. Visitor Notes: DOGS: All dogs on our Island (residents, day visitors and vacation renters) must have a current Town issued dog permit in order to visit our Island, including the beach. Town Hall (1610 Middle Street) issues annual permits for $35.00/dog with owner's application/affidavit and proof of valid rabies. Phone (843) 883-5733 or (843) 883-3198 for more information. Dogs on Beach Summer Note: Dogs are not allowed on the beach in the summer season from 10:00AM - 6:00PM. Please see Summer Hours (above) for full schedule. ******************** ACCOMMODATIONS: Accommodations on the Island are limited to 60-64 privately owned vacation rental homes that must be licensed for vacation rental activity with the Town and require a minimum three night/four day stay. We have no overnight accommodations on the Island (Hotels, Bed & Breakfast Inns, etc) Owners arrange rentals of their homes through local vacation rental companies or their own marketing efforts. Town Staff does not arrange vacation rentals for owners or know about rental availability. Some places you may visit on-line to explore vacation rental availability on Sullivan's Island: Island Realty Resort Quest Exit Realty Carroll Realty Sand Dollar Real Estate Vacation Rentals By Owners (VRBO.com) NOTE: All vacation rental owners are required to have a Sullivan's Island Business License for this activity. Staff member managing the Town's vacation rental business license program: Lisa Darrow, Asst to Administrator (843-883-5744 or ldarrow@sullivansisland-sc.com) Enjoy your stay! ************************ BEACH/SWIMMING SAFETY NOTES: Visitors should always remember they are swimming and conducting water sports in the Atlantic Ocean. Swimming in the ocean requires safety precautions very different from a lake, river or even the Gulf of Mexico. Some Special Considerations for Ocean Sports/Swimming: Waters are subject to drop offs, rip-tides and strong currents. Sandbars off the beach are dangerous - do not swim or walk to them (low-tide). When the tide comes in people on the sandbars get trapped in deep water/strong tides and are easily swept out to sea. Marine animals are present, such as jelly-fish, crabs and occasionally sting-rays. Swim at your own risk - no lifeguards on duty Additional Note: We have no facilities on our beaches (i.e. changing rooms, showers or restrooms) ********************* BEACH COURTESY & TRASH: Visitors are asked to pack out their trash when leaving the beach. The Town provides receptacles roadside at the beach paths for debris. Please do not leave beach chairs, umbrellas, bags, shoes, etc on our beach. The Island is a favorite nesting ground for the endangered loggerhead turtle. You may see orange netting and small signs where DNR has marked a loggerhead nest. Please do not tamper with these nests. Also, please ensure you do not leave holes (for sand castles, umbrellas, etc) along the beach. These holes trap baby turtles migrating to the ocean, plus are dangerous for beach walkers and dogs. Other note: Do not walk, play or remove vegetation from sand dunes. This is illegal. ******************** PARKING: We do not have a municipal parking lot. Visitors need to plan for parking challenges during the busy summer season, especially weekends and holidays. Visitors not patronizing an Island establishment must park along the street keeping vehicle tires off the road. Please obey all parking signs and restrict your street parking to public rights-of-way, not residents' yards or driveways. ********************** BEACH ACCESS: Handicapped beach access paths on Sullivan's Island: Station 18 Station 19 Station 26.5 ********************** Click Here for Helpful Information about Island services
Thank you for visiting our home. We wish you a safe and pleasurable stay.
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