Southport has a way of making people fall for it. The live oaks, the porches, the river views from Waterfront Park, and the historic homes along streets like Bay and Moore all make it one of the most sought-after small towns on the Brunswick County coast. Some of those older homes are bed and breakfasts, and in the next few weeks the City of Southport is set to decide what kinds of gatherings those properties can host.
If you own near a B&B, are thinking about buying one, or just love Southport’s historic core, here’s what’s on the table, when the public can weigh in, and what we at Aspyre Collective think buyers and sellers should keep an eye on.
What’s Happening: A Nov. 12 Public Hearing
The Southport Board of Aldermen has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St., Coastal Carolina News reported Oct. 26. The hearing covers a proposed zoning text amendment to Section 3.8.C (Bed and Breakfast) of the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, which would set standards for gatherings held at bed-and-breakfast properties. After hearing comments, the aldermen can consider adopting it.
The proposed ordinance language is available for public inspection at the Zoning, Permit, and Inspections Office at Southport City Hall, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the same notice.
What the Planning Board Recommended
According to The State Port Pilot’s Oct. 28 report, the Southport Planning Board voted 3-2 on Oct. 15 to recommend new rules for events at B&Bs. Under the recommended version:
- Management plan required. Each B&B would need a management plan, and approval of that plan by itself would not authorize any particular use of the property.
- Onsite manager who lives there. Every B&B would need an onsite manager who resides at the business.
- Gatherings for guests only. Weddings, celebrations, dinners, and similar gatherings could be held as incidental uses for the B&B’s guests.
- Vendors don’t count as attendees. Caterers, florists, and other service providers would not be counted toward attendance.
- Fire rules still apply. Events would still need to meet the Southport Fire Marshal’s requirements.
Planning board chairman Larry Ashley said limiting events to people staying at the B&B will help with issues like noise, the Pilot reported. Planning Services Director Maureen Meehan noted that B&Bs are already covered by the city’s noise ordinance. Vice Chair Fred Fiss and member Maria Horton voted no, citing concerns about how many attendees would be allowed at gatherings.
How we got here
This isn’t a sudden change. A city staff report in the April 16, 2026, Planning Board packet traces the amendment (case ZTA-24-05) back to a Board of Aldermen recommendation on May 8, 2025. An August 2025 draft would have allowed events like weddings for overnight guests only, with capacity capped at the number of registered guests. In October 2025 the aldermen sent it back for more work over occupancy concerns, and staff spent the winter drafting options. In June 2026, the Pilot reports, the aldermen asked for a special committee to look at B&B events, which led to this fall’s recommendation.
Why This Matters for Homeowners Near a B&B
Southport’s historic district mixes homes, inns, shops, and restaurants within a few blocks. That’s a big part of its charm, and it’s also why rules on events matter. If you own or are buying a home next to or across from a B&B, the outcome affects how often you might see weddings, rehearsal dinners, or parties next door, and how big they can get.
The planning board’s version leans toward smaller, guest-focused gatherings and requires a resident manager on site, which neighbors generally see as a plus for accountability. But the final ordinance could change after the hearing, so read the adopted language rather than relying on the recommendation.
What It Means If You’re Buying or Selling a B&B
For investors and owner-operators, the rules a property operates under shape its business plan. A few practical points:
- Don’t assume event income. If a listing or seller mentions weddings or private events, confirm how those would fit under the rules in effect at closing. Under the recommended version, gatherings would be limited to guests, and the property would need an onsite resident manager.
- Plan for the residency requirement. A buyer who doesn’t intend to live on site would need to account for a manager who does.
- Use your due diligence period. Ask Southport’s planning staff about the property’s current approvals and how the new standards would apply, and talk with your attorney and insurance agent before your due diligence period ends.
- Sellers, get ahead of questions. Have your permits, any existing plans, and a clear picture of how you’ve operated ready for buyers. Clean documentation makes a listing easier to underwrite.
How to Weigh In
If you live in Southport or own property there, you can review the proposed language at City Hall and attend the Nov. 12 hearing. Coastal Carolina News reports that questions can go to Planning Services Director Maureen Meehan at (910) 457-7900, extension 1043. Check the city’s meeting agenda ahead of time, since agendas can shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Southport bed-and-breakfast hearing?
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St., per Coastal Carolina News.
Has the new B&B event rule been adopted?
Not as of this writing. The Planning Board recommended it on Oct. 15; the Board of Aldermen makes the final decision after the public hearing.
Would B&Bs still be able to host weddings?
Under the planning board’s recommended version, weddings and similar gatherings could be held as incidental uses for the B&B’s guests, subject to a management plan, a resident onsite manager, and fire marshal requirements.
Does this affect regular homes in Southport?
The amendment targets bed-and-breakfast properties. Homeowners nearby may notice the effects on events, but the proposal doesn’t change rules for ordinary single-family homes.
Thinking About Southport? Let’s Talk
Whether you’re eyeing a historic home a few blocks from the river, weighing an inn as an investment, or getting ready to sell in Southport, local rules like this one can make a real difference. Our team follows what’s happening at City Hall so you don’t have to piece it together yourself. Contact Aspyre Collective to talk through your plans for Southport and the rest of Brunswick County.
