Are recent zoning laws contributing to a stronger rental market?
We’re talking about Loris and Conway specifically, because they are two of the fastest growing communities in Horry County. Rental markets there have begun to shift not only because of population growth and rising demand, but also due to evolving zoning decisions at the municipal level.
For property owners and investors, understanding how zoning updates influence rental supply, development opportunities, and long-term market dynamics can help protect returns and uncover new opportunities.
Let’s consider what recent zoning activity means for landlords and real estate investors operating in these markets.
Our Summary:
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Zoning Matters to Rental Investors
Zoning determines what can be built, where it can be built, and how dense development may be. It regulates residential density, mixed-use development potential, commercial corridor expansion, and infrastructure placement and growth boundaries.
When zoning limits multifamily development, rental supply can tighten, driving higher rents. When zoning expands density or allows mixed-use projects, new competition may enter the market, but so can stronger long-term economic growth and tenant demand.
For investors, zoning impacts both planning and profitability.
Loris: Long-Term Planning and Opportunity Zones
Loris has been working through long-range planning initiatives designed to guide development over the next decade and beyond. Comprehensive planning efforts focus on infrastructure, stormwater management, transportation corridors, and downtown revitalization. These plans influence where residential growth will be encouraged and where commercial expansion may take priority.
One notable factor for investors is that portions of Loris fall within a federally designated Opportunity Zone. Opportunity Zones are intended to attract long-term private investment into developing areas through potential tax advantages. For rental housing investors, this can improve the financial feasibility of new construction or substantial rehabilitation projects.
Loris has transitioned from relying on older, low-density designations to higher-density zoning. Recent proposals have included changing industrial land to Planned Development Districts (PDD) for three-story apartment complexes, adding amenities like swimming pools and dog parks to attract renters.
Conway: Corridor Growth and Commercial Expansion
Conway has seen planning activity focused on commercial development, particularly along major highways and transportation routes. Designating parcels for higher-intensity commercial use signals an emphasis on economic growth, retail expansion, and service accessibility.
While commercial zoning does not directly create new rental units, it often lays the groundwork for future mixed-use projects. As retail and service areas expand, surrounding residential demand typically increases. Renters are increasingly drawn to areas where they can live near restaurants, shopping, and employment centers.
For investors, commercial corridor growth can produce several ripple effects:
- Rising land values near major roadways
- Increased demand for nearby rental housing
- Potential redevelopment of underutilized parcels
- Long-term appreciation in strategically located properties
New multifamily units are also entering the rental market in Conway. Reports at the end of 2025 said that townhouse developments were being approved to meet the demand of the city’s growing population.
Housing Supply Constraints in Horry County
Across Horry County, zoning patterns have historically favored single-family housing over dense multifamily development. Limited land zoned specifically for apartments or higher-density housing can restrict rental supply.
When supply is limited and population growth continues, rents tend to rise. This benefits current landlords in the short term but can also attract developers seeking to fill the gap if zoning becomes more flexible.
If either Loris or Conway adopts zoning changes that modestly expand multifamily allowances, investors should expect:
- Increased development proposals
- Greater competition over time
- More professional property management presence
- Pressure to modernize older rental inventory
Investors holding aging rental homes should monitor zoning updates carefully. New development can raise area standards, making renovations and strategic upgrades necessary to remain competitive.
Infrastructure and Utilities: The Hidden Zoning Factor
Zoning decisions often align with infrastructure planning. Rezoning efforts in both Conway and Loris have outpaced existing infrastructure. Areas with expanded water, sewer, and roadway capacity are more likely to see approval for higher-density development.
Investors evaluating land or repositioning opportunities should ask:
- Are utilities adequate for expanded residential use?
- Are roadway improvements planned nearby?
- Is annexation being discussed for outlying parcels?
Infrastructure investment often precedes rental market growth. Being early, but not too early, can provide substantial upside.
What Rental Owners Should Do Now in Loris and Conway
Whether you own a single rental home or multiple investment properties in Loris or Conway, proactive positioning helps.
- Monitor Planning Commission Agendas. Rezoning proposals, comprehensive plan amendments, and corridor studies provide insight into future growth patterns.
- Evaluate Location Relative to Growth Corridors. Properties near expanding commercial areas may benefit from long-term appreciation and stronger tenant demand.
- Assess Your Competitive Position. If zoning becomes more flexible and new housing enters the market, older properties may need upgrades to remain attractive.
- Explore Opportunity Zone Benefits. For investors considering development or substantial rehabilitation in Loris, tax incentives tied to Opportunity Zones may improve project viability.
- Plan for Gradual, Not Explosive, Growth. Neither Loris nor Conway is likely to experience overnight urban density transformation. Growth appears measured and infrastructure-driven, which can support stable rental demand rather than volatile spikes.
Zoning changes in Loris and Conway reflect thoughtful, incremental growth rather than sweeping reform. For rental property owners and investors, that stability can be an advantage.
Strategic corridor expansion in Conway may strengthen surrounding residential demand. Long-term planning efforts and Opportunity Zone designations in Loris could encourage targeted development and capital investment. Meanwhile, broader Horry County zoning patterns continue to shape housing supply constraints that influence rent levels.
Stay engaged with local planning activity and zoning changes. Understanding zoning today is one of the clearest ways to anticipate rental market performance tomorrow.
We can get into more detail if you’d like. Please contact us at J & P Unlimited. We manage investment properties in Myrtle Beach as well as Conway, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Socastee, and the surrounding areas.
