Together, we advocate for responsible hospitality, balanced policy, local jobs, and the long-term vitality of Cannonborough-Elliotborough.
Read the July 15 Planning Commission update →The rules that shape our neighborhood — occupancy, enforcement, permitting, and how the City manages visitors — will be written and rewritten over months and years. Those decisions are shaped by who is informed, organized, funded, and present when they are made.
The Cannonborough-Elliotborough Hospitality Alliance exists to make sure the people most affected by hospitality policy have a seat at that table. We bring together residents, property owners, responsible operators, local businesses, employees, vendors, and community supporters who believe Charleston can protect neighborhood livability and sustain the jobs, small businesses, and investment that responsible tourism supports.
On July 15, 2026, the Charleston Planning Commission voted 5–0 to defer the proposed short-term rental amendment for additional study and revisions. The turnout, testimony, research, and coordinated participation made a meaningful difference.
Since then, CEHA has continued meeting with City officials. As of August 3, 2026, the City has not released revised draft language or a formal timetable. We expect a longer process.
CEHA’s assessment: we believe the STR discussion is increasingly likely to be considered within the City’s broader Responsible Tourism Initiative and The Charleston Standard planning process. This is our reading of the direction — not a confirmed City decision. We will update supporters when concrete information becomes available.
The City’s new tourism initiative and public survey focus heavily on the pressures tourism can place on residents and neighborhoods. Those concerns deserve to be heard, but they are only part of the story.
Tourism also supports local jobs, small businesses, property values, public services, and the energy that makes Charleston’s neighborhoods thrive. Good policy must balance neighborhood livability with the economic and community benefits of responsible tourism.
That balance will only be achieved if hospitality workers, business owners, property owners, responsible operators, and residents who value tourism participate in the process.
Please complete the City’s survey and answer from the perspective of how tourism has positively affected your livelihood, business, property, neighborhood, or quality of life. Help ensure the City’s final plan reflects the full picture—not just the costs of tourism, but the people and businesses it supports.
Joining as a Community Supporter is always free. The three paid membership levels add full voting rights and a formal seat in how CEHA sets its priorities.
Lead the coalition and ensure your organization has a durable seat at the table.
Protect your investment or business and help shape CEHA’s advocacy priorities.
Add your vote and voice to the Alliance.
Stay informed, receive event invitations and issue alerts, and help demonstrate broad community support.
A note on voting: full voting rights attach only to the three paid membership levels above. Free Community Supporters receive communications and invitations but do not hold voting rights.
Joining CEHA is free and never requires a donation. Adding your name gives the Alliance permission to keep you informed when your voice and participation matter — timely alerts, meeting information, coordinated participation, research updates, and event invitations.
The form asks only three things: your name, email, and address. Your address helps us understand neighborhood and Council-district reach — nothing more.
Already a CEHA member? You do not need to join again. Your continued support and participation are what make this work possible.
After you join, you’ll have the option to make a one-time donation or select a paid membership level — but it’s entirely optional.
Prefer to help fund the work now? Make a donation →
Effective advocacy requires more than showing up to one meeting. It takes independent research, public-record analysis, professional communications, government relations, legal and policy guidance, and the ability to organize supporters quickly. CEHA has already put substantial resources behind that work:
Those investments supplied independent data, brought City records into the public discussion, gave stakeholders credible materials, and helped CEHA communicate beyond individual property owners. The next phase requires continued:
Every contribution expands CEHA’s capacity to act. Give once or become a member at any level.
Donate to CEHA →Full transparency: CEHA publishes regular financial summaries so members can see how funds are used.
Contributions support CEHA’s advocacy, research, communications, and organizational efforts and are not tax-deductible as charitable gifts. Any portion of dues or contributions used for lobbying may be non-deductible and will be disclosed to members as required. CEHA is a South Carolina 501(c)(6) trade association.
Status — updated August 3, 2026: Deferred by the Planning Commission on July 15 (5–0) for additional study and revisions. No revised language has been released. CEHA remains engaged.
The City of Charleston proposed an amendment to the short-term rental ordinance affecting commercially zoned STRs in the ST Overlay Zone. There is a lot to like: the draft looks to the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) — the code the City has already adopted, and the standard the City Fire Marshal is trained to enforce — to govern occupancy. We support that approach. Our request is narrow: let the code’s number be the number. A separate fixed cap alongside IPMC would create two conflicting standards.
| Bedroom size | Sleeping occupancy under IPMC |
|---|---|
| Under 70 SF | 0 — not an approved sleeping room |
| 70–99 SF | 1 guest |
| 100–149 SF | 2 guests |
| 150–199 SF | 3 guests |
| 200–249 SF | 4 guests |
Read the Coalition Letter (PDF) → Read the Economic Impact Study →
CEHA’s positions are backed by independent research and public records. These materials are open for residents, City officials, press, and supporters.
Questions or want to get involved? Email info@ce-hospitalityalliance.org.
Every name strengthens CEHA’s ability to communicate. Every contribution expands its ability to act.