Code Enforcement Cracks Down on Short Term Rentals
November 08, 2024 | Columbia City, Richland County, South Carolina
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In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing enforcement of regulations surrounding short-term rentals, highlighting both compliance and challenges faced in the community. The conversation centered on the need for better engagement with property owners, particularly those who may not be aware of their responsibilities under local laws.
Officials noted that there are currently 423 registered short-term rentals, with 43 code violations reported over the past year across 27 properties. The majority of these violations pertained to roll cart usage, indicating a level of compliance among owners. However, there are still 70 unregistered rentals, which have prompted 12 code cases on 10 properties, again primarily related to roll cart violations.
The meeting also addressed concerns about noise complaints associated with short-term rentals. Data revealed a significant increase in calls for service—rising from 24 in the 17 weeks prior to new permitting regulations to 47 in the following period. Despite this increase, only six resulted in formal incident reports, suggesting that many calls were either precautionary or resolved without issue.
Officials emphasized the importance of community awareness and transparency regarding short-term rental operations. They noted that responsible property owners are proactive in addressing disturbances, often working with law enforcement to manage any issues that arise.
Looking ahead, the council is considering the possibility of engaging a third-party vendor to assist with the registration and monitoring of short-term rentals. This approach could alleviate some of the burdens on code enforcement staff and improve compliance rates among unregistered properties. The potential for increased revenue from business licenses was also discussed as a motivating factor for enhancing enforcement efforts.
Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to balancing the interests of short-term rental owners with the needs of the community, aiming for a collaborative approach to ensure compliance and maintain neighborhood integrity.
Officials noted that there are currently 423 registered short-term rentals, with 43 code violations reported over the past year across 27 properties. The majority of these violations pertained to roll cart usage, indicating a level of compliance among owners. However, there are still 70 unregistered rentals, which have prompted 12 code cases on 10 properties, again primarily related to roll cart violations.
The meeting also addressed concerns about noise complaints associated with short-term rentals. Data revealed a significant increase in calls for service—rising from 24 in the 17 weeks prior to new permitting regulations to 47 in the following period. Despite this increase, only six resulted in formal incident reports, suggesting that many calls were either precautionary or resolved without issue.
Officials emphasized the importance of community awareness and transparency regarding short-term rental operations. They noted that responsible property owners are proactive in addressing disturbances, often working with law enforcement to manage any issues that arise.
Looking ahead, the council is considering the possibility of engaging a third-party vendor to assist with the registration and monitoring of short-term rentals. This approach could alleviate some of the burdens on code enforcement staff and improve compliance rates among unregistered properties. The potential for increased revenue from business licenses was also discussed as a motivating factor for enhancing enforcement efforts.
Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to balancing the interests of short-term rental owners with the needs of the community, aiming for a collaborative approach to ensure compliance and maintain neighborhood integrity.
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