Columbia council advances amended short‑term rental rules after extended public comment

Mayor Daniel J. Rickerman told residents the council would not lift the moratorium on new short‑term rental (STR) licenses in residential zones at the meeting and moved forward with a second reading of an amended STR ordinance.

The council approved the ordinance changes at second reading after a public comment period that included property owners, rental managers and neighborhood leaders urging both stronger regulation and preservation of operating STRs. The ordinances keep the minimum stay at one night, raise the minimum guest age to 21 in one section, require off‑street parking that “cannot be street parking,” and add an administrative penalty of $500 per offense if an owner fails to come into compliance within 15 days of notice; each day of continued noncompliance is a separate offense.

Why this matters: Columbia has struggled to balance neighborhood quality‑of‑life concerns with income for property owners and small hospitality businesses. Council members and residents said the city needs clearer maps and implementation guidance before any zoning changes are finalized; those maps will go to the Planning Commission and return to council…