Columbia council lifts short-term-rental moratorium and exempts owner-occupied homes from location limits
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Summary
After a first reading, the Columbia City Council approved a UDO amendment to let owner‑occupied homes operate as short‑term rentals regardless of residential location and voted to repeal a prior moratorium on new short‑term rental permits; councilors emphasized enforcement and mapping resources for residents.
Columbia’s City Council on first reading moved to narrow restrictions on short‑term rentals, approving an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that exempts owner‑occupied dwelling units from newly adopted location standards and voting to repeal a moratorium that had halted new permits in residential areas.
Planning staff told council the UDO change would allow a dwelling classified as owner‑occupied by the county assessor to operate as a short‑term rental even in residential districts; if the owner‑occupied status later changes, the property would lose that eligibility. Staff reiterated that non–owner‑occupied rentals remain subject to the location rule requiring streets with four through lanes or an arterial/collector classification. The zoning office posted maps and property qualification guidance at columbiasc.gov/zoning, staff said.
During public comment Joan Prophet, president of the Saint Markswood neighborhood association, urged council to keep the moratorium in place longer so neighborhoods could address safety, parking and covenant issues. “We would be against lifting this moratorium,” she said, asking for time to educate homeowners and enforce covenants.
Mayor Rickman and councilors emphasized that existing code‑enforcement rules and the previously adopted mapping remain in effect. Council members noted a statutory tax threshold used in the tax/code distinction: properties renting more than 70 days shift a tax treatment referenced during discussion (staff cited a 70‑day threshold and a 4% versus 6% distinction used in enforcement and taxation). Council also asked staff to continue outreach so residents can determine whether their properties qualify under the owner‑occupied exemption.
The ordinance repealing the moratorium (Ordinance No. 2026009) was presented as consistent with the new STR regulatory framework; council voted to approve the repeal on first reading. Planning staff said other adopted location maps are unchanged and code enforcement retains jurisdiction to enforce the conduct‑and‑safety regulations applicable to STRs.
Next steps: the UDO amendment and ordinance proceed through the council’s hearing and reading schedule; staff indicated more public outreach and map resources are available for property owners and neighborhood associations.
