COLUMBIA, S.C. — The City of Columbia has established a new ad hoc committee to propose a draft ordinance regulating short term rentals within city limits. The Short-Term Rentals Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Councilman Howard Duvall, will conduct it’s first public meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at the Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby St. in Columbia.
The ad hoc committee's agenda lists an introduction of the committee by Councilman Duvall, followed by overviews of the impact and status STRs in Columbia. Housing Official David Hatcher, with Columbia Police Department’s Code Enforcement Division, will then present an overview of a draft ordinance that would define STRs, permits and licenses needed to operate a STR, and what violations STR operators might face under the new ordinance.
Some short-term rentals (STRs) within city limits have led to issues with excessive noise, trash, and parking issues that would be addressed in the proposed ordinance. Currently, Columbia's Ordinance 2015-099 (Rental Housing Regulations) requires all rental property owners to obtain rental permits for individual properties.
According to data compiled by AirDNA, there are 685 STRs in the Columbia area – located mainly downtown, with a few near Lake Murray and Blythewood. Existing STRs are either owner-occupied or non-owner occupied. The proposed ordinance will not allow non-owner-occupied STRs in defined residential districts.
Under the proposed ordinance, all STRs in Columbia would have to:
- Maintain an up-to-date business license and registration for each individual STR property. Registrations will not be transferable. Registration fees will consist of a $50 non-refundable application fee and $100 non-refundable permit registration fee for an owner-occupied STR, $500 for a non-owner-occupied STR.
- Have insurance coverage against personal injury (including death) and property damage of no less than $1 million per occurrence
- Comply with local disturbance of the peace ordinances, including noise, traffic, parking, unsightly conditions
- Undergo safety inspections
- Supply contact information and be willing to take phone calls at all times – day and night -- to address issues with the STR. Designated responsible individuals must live within a 15-mile radius of City limits
- Assume responsibility for the conduct of occupants, tenants, and guests of the STR, regardless of whether the owners are present at the dwelling.
The proposed ordinance also lays out STR maintenance requirements, detailed rental regulations, permit information, and violations that could lead to revocation of a STR registration.
Interested members of the public are invited to participate in Tuesday’s meeting remotely by viewing the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov or via telephone by dialing 855-925-2801. When prompted, enter meeting code: 5164. During the meeting: press *1 to listen; *2 to leave a message; or *3 to request to speak. For questions regarding the meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (803) 545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.
