Richland County committee sets short-term rental licensing fee at $25 and signals move from conditional-use to permitted use

The Richland County Natural Resources Committee voted to set a short-term rental licensing fee at $25 per year and directed staff to include language in the forthcoming resolution to change short-term rentals from a conditional use to a permitted use under the county zoning ordinance.

Committee members discussed a range of fee options, noting examples from neighboring jurisdictions (one township license was cited at $500 annually; another locality cited $100). Members said their goal was a modest fee to cover administrative costs, not to create a revenue source. After discussion, a motion to set the county fee at $25 a year was seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call vote was recorded during the meeting.

Members asked staff to draft resolution language that would: (1) align the county licensing start date with the state short-term rental license period, (2) allow a transition from conditional-use permits to the new licensing approach, and (3) include a provision to refund applicants if a future county license fee is set lower than fees paid under prior processes. The committee will forward the item and the draft resolution language to the Executive & Finance Committee and the full county board for consideration.

Staff noted the state has a separate licensing/inspection role and that the county does not intend to duplicate state inspections; county fees are meant primarily to ensure local registration and follow-up on complaints.