Fairness for All
We believe in protecting legacy ownership, supporting working families, and ensuring Folly remains a place where both residents and visitors can thrive.

Don’t forget to join the Folly United Facebook page too!

🌴 Why It Matters

Local Businesses Depend on STR Guests
Restaurants, landscapers, handymen, plumbers, and electricians rely on short-term rental visitors to stay open year-round. Without them, jobs and income are at risk.

Families Are Losing Ground
Some lifelong homeowners couldn’t get a license for their family homes. No grace. No transfer. Appeals denied. Now their homes are stuck in limbo, losing 20–30% in value.

Tax Revenue Keeps Folly Afloat
STRs bring millions in sales and accommodations taxes — including about $1M a year for beach re-nourishment. Without that, either taxes go up or vital programs get cut.

Property Rights Are at Stake
The ordinance doesn’t just cap rentals — it chips away at the rights of every homeowner. A weaker market means lower property values for everyone.

“My husband and I manage several long term rentals and currently live on the property (not owners of these properties). Last year we were able to purchase a condo at Marsh Winds that we use as a STR and a place for our family to stay when visiting the area. The income from the STR doesn’t even cover our costs but it’s an investment in our future. We just want to have a place to live when our gig here is up. I also love living in a vacation community and I truly enjoy the visitors. We have numerous STR’s very close to us and I have never had an issue, as a matter of fact I get to make new friends every couple of days.”

“A real life example… STR is really about fighting costs outside of our control like taxes and hurricanes, fighting the property damage that comes with living right on the water. I have four kids, I’m hoping they keep the homes over the course of their lives as well, but there are costs outside of their control.  Today, right now, I really love 38 Meeting Street in downtown. I’ve toured the house, the owners lived there for 30 years and now they’re in their 80s. They went to the same college I did, we are alumni. I really want to buy their house and keep it up and love on it during my lifetime. However 38 meeting Street does not allow any short term rentals. So instead of my family buying it, beginning the love on it, replacing my Cornell rocker with their Cornell rocker when they moved into condos, it just sits there. Empty. Because I’m scared of it and so are other well meaning adult couples. It’s a $4 million house that can never help me pay for itself. So instead of something I love it’s some thing I’m currently afraid of. I just checked yesterday it’s still up for sale without any family, without any laughter, without any love. That’s what overregulation ends up with; that’s what taking away peoples property rights does.” — FOLLY RESIDENT

“Hello - my husband and I are full-time residents on the island since 2014. We don’t rent our home or own an STR but when we built the house one of our considerations was that we would be able to STR it if our life circumstances changed. I am fully in support of increased enforcement of and improve regulations of STRs. But I am not in favor of the city restricting my property rights, whether it is to rent as 4% taxpayer or 6%. Thankful for this group forming to unite our voices.”

Scrap the Cap and come up with REAL solutions that benefit the entire community!!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why can’t I transfer my STR license?
Because of the current ordinance, licenses are tied to the owner, not the property. That means if you sell your home, the license does not transfer to the new owner. Many people didn’t realize this until it was too late.

Q: What happens if I missed the deadline or wasn’t notified?
Unfortunately, the city has not provided grace periods or exceptions. Even long-time homeowners who appealed have been denied, leaving many stuck in limbo.

Q: How does this affect property values?
Without the ability to rent short-term, homes have lost an estimated 20–30% in value. That hurts not just STR owners, but everyone in the neighborhood when comparable sales drop.

Q: Haven’t STR license numbers gone down since the cap?
Not really. In fact, the total hasn’t changed much in three years. What has changed is who can get them — and who’s locked out.

Q: How does this impact local businesses?
Restaurants, landscapers, handymen, plumbers, and electricians all depend on STR guests and owners for steady work. When rentals are restricted, these jobs and incomes are at risk.

Q: Isn’t this just about tourists?
No. This is about real Folly families who got caught in the crosshairs. People who’ve lived here for decades are now unable to rent their own homes — or sell them at fair value.

🗳️ Call to Action

Let’s push pause. Let’s find solutions that protect our community without dividing it.

This November 4th, Folly decides. Make your voice heard.

The candidates fighting for our property rights:

• Elton Culpepper for Mayor

• Blair “Doc” Holladay for City Council

Real People, Real Impact
Families who have lived here for generations couldn’t get licenses. No grace. No transfer. Appeals denied. Many didn’t even know licenses couldn’t transfer — and now their homes are stuck in limbo, down 20–30% in value.