Committee reviews draft short-term rental ordinance; staff to return with edits in March

Supervisors and staff discussed a draft short-term rental ordinance intended to license and regulate short-term rental units in Richland County and requested more time for cleanup and fee scheduling.

Supervisor Carol and zoning staff said the draft was revised with input from short-term rental owners and that the committee discussed changing short-term rentals from a conditional use to a permitted use if the property holds the county license. Staff said the county would check septic capacity and other zoning compliance when applicants come into the zoning office.

Committee members discussed fees and state licensing. Staff said the state charges an initial approximately $400 fee and conducts an initial inspection; annual state renewal fees are smaller. The draft county license fee discussed by the committee was $25, but staff said the fee schedule still needs to be inserted into the ordinance text. The draft also includes a requirement that the licensee maintain a local contact within 60 miles who can respond to complaints or issues.

Members noted typographical and highlight remnants to clean up and agreed to return the item to committee in March after staff completes the edits and coordinates the county fee schedule and zoning ordinance language. No final vote was taken; staff will prepare a revised ordinance and fees for the committee's next meeting.