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Committee forwards short-term rental ordinance to county board with Jan. 1, 2026 effective date
Summary
The Richland County Finance Standing Committee voted March 13 to send a short-term rental ordinance to the full county board with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, while leaving final fee amounts to be set via the county fee schedule.
The Richland County Finance Standing Committee voted March 13 to forward a short-term rental ordinance to the full county board with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.
The ordinance would create a permitting framework for short-term rentals; committee members discussed how the county’s fee schedule will be updated to show any new permit costs and considered adding a severability clause so the rest of the ordinance remains enforceable if a fee is later struck down. Kathy (staff member) said she reviewed the draft and corrected typographical items and duration language. Mike (staff member) explained the county’s current fee schedule is set by a prior procurement policy and that amending any specific fee requires updating the entire fee schedule or setting the ordinance to take effect on a future date.
The measure was advanced on a motion by Mr. Cooley and seconded by Mr. Frank; committee members voiced support for a Jan. 1, 2026 effective date to give residents time to come into compliance. The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript records a voice approval but does not provide a roll-call tally.
Committee members also discussed adding a severability clause. As one participant explained, severability would allow the ordinance to remain in force even if a judge later invalidates a particular fee: “If the fee is unenforceable, the fee is the only part of the ordinance that becomes invalid,” and “Everything else stays in effect.” That language was discussed as a protective measure for the remainder of the ordinance should a court invalidate a fee provision.
The committee directed staff to correct typographical errors (for example, a line in item 6a where “each” was misspelled) before the packet goes to the county board. The committee noted that the county’s procurement policy and an earlier Resolution 24-88 (adopted Nov. 19, 2024) include the countywide fee schedule that staff will modify to list the new permit fee when appropriate.
The ordinance will go to the full Richland County Board for consideration at its next meeting.
