Proposed Regulatory Amendments, September 2025

Ensuring compliance with the adopted STR regulations is an on-going objective of the City Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission. In March 2025, a report was presented to City Council that summarized licensure compliance and outlined several recommended amendments to the adopted STR regulations.

The amendments to the existing regulations proposed included:

  1. Eliminating the “Tier 1” designation

  2. Establishing a single rental night restriction per updated STR tiers

  3. Reevaluating when a conditional use permit (CUP) would be required.

Following Council discussion, the Planning & Zoning Commission was directed to further develop the amendments and hold required public hearing. The Commission discussed the amendments at work sessions on April 24, May 8 and May 22, 2025.

The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the amendments on June 5, 2025. Following public testimony and discussion, the Commission recommended (6-3) to approve the proposed changes. Prior to the amendments becoming effective, City Council must approve the recommended changes at an upcoming City Council meeting.

The recommended amendments are intended to simplify the existing provisions, enhance administrative efficiency, and increase levels of regulatory compliance.

The proposed amendments DO NOT:

  1. Increase the number of STR licenses a single person may have.

  2. Allow for dense pockets of STRs within residential neighborhoods without specific evaluation and approval of the City Council.

  3. Privilege one type of owner or resident over another.

  4. Eliminate opportunity for the public to participate in the “overall” regulatory process. Impacted neighbors can submit alleged regulatory violations to the City, which if verified, can result in STR and Business License revocation.

The proposed amendments, if adopted, WILL:

  1. Simplify licensure of former Tier 1 and Tier 2 “long-term resident” occupied dwellings by allowing operators to obtain a license for up to 210 nights without added CUP expenses subject to meeting on-site/off-street parking requirements.

  2. Restrict occupancy and nightly usage for dwellings that do not have greater than two on-site/off-street parking spaces to no greater than four guests and 120 nights of rental use

  3. Continue to protect neighborhoods by retaining and expanding the CUP triggers for operators in residential zones that are most likely to impact adjacent residents.

The City of Columbia is committed to creating an efficient and effective regulatory process that addresses the use of a dwelling as a short-term rental. Questions regarding how to become compliant with the standards, file a report on an alleged violation, or simply to voice your concern or support for the pending amendments is welcomed.

Questions? Email Planning@CoMo.gov or call 573.874.7239.

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