Columbia council approves short-term rental ordinance, sends owner-occupied carve‑out to planning commission

Columbia City Council on first/second reading approved an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that establishes where and how short‑term rentals (STRs) may operate inside city limits while directing staff to craft an owner‑occupied carve‑out for further public review.

Supporters of regulation and council members said the ordinance aims to keep STRs on commercial corridors and limit impacts to stable residential neighborhoods. Zoning administrator Andrew Livingood described the path forward: Planning Commission consideration of an owner‑occupied definition on Jan. 15, a council public hearing on Feb. 17 and return to council for additional readings March 3. "Columbia Compass is a policy document...we reference the arterial and collector streets within the Columbia Compass" to clarify which roads qualify, Livingood said, adding maps will be posted for public review.

Speakers who operate or represent short‑term rental businesses criticized the ordinance as overly restrictive. David Bergman of Hartwood Furnished Homes told council, "this ordinance is not a middle ground. It's gone very extreme," and questioned a provision limiting STRs to parcels abutting four‑lane corridors. Another commenter asked why an ordinance change was being proposed while enforcement of existing rules remains uneven.

Council members and staff said the measure is intended as a balanced approach that protects neighborhood character while permitting commercial activity on corridors. Staff noted that owner‑occupied units that maintain the county's 4% homestead tax status would be eligible for the forthcoming carve‑out. The council voted to approve the ordinance language before it and to send the owner‑occupied amendment to the Planning Commission for recommendation; the council set subsequent public hearing and readings for the carve‑out as described.

The vote was taken by roll call and carried unanimously.