City of Columbia short-term rental regulations

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The City of Columbia’s short-term rental (STR) regulations were adopted in February 2024 and become effective June 1, 2024. As of June 1, 2025, all dwellings operated as short-term rentals were required to have obtained zoning approval, a STR Certificate of Compliance and a Business License, pursuant to Chapter 29, Chapter 22, Article 5 and Chapter 13 of the City Code. Additionally, as of June 1, 2025 operators were required to electronically remit accommodation taxes for each booked night equal to 5% of the nightly room rate to the City of Columbia pursuant to Chapter 26 of the City Code. Failure to obtain zoning compliance, a STR certificate, a business license or remit accommodation taxes can result in enforcement action being pursued against a non-compliant operator.

The STR compliance process is comprised of three unique steps — zoning compliance, rental inspection and business licensing. Rental inspection and business licensing cannot occur without first successfully obtain zoning compliance. Zoning compliance may require securing a conditional use permit (CUP) from the City Council.

Dwellings used as short-term rentals fall into one of three licensing tiers. The three tiers are:

  • Tier 1 (Long-term Resident) – Maximum 30-night usage annually.
  • Tier 2 (Long-term Resident) – Maximum 120-night or 210-night usage annually. 210-night usage requires conditional use permit (CUP) approval.
  • Tier 2 (Not a Long-term Resident) – Maximum 210 nights requires conditional use permit (CUP) approval.
  • Tier 3 (located in M-DT, M-N, M-C, or M-OF zoning districts) – Greater than 120 nights. STR use in M-OF zoning district subject to conditional use permit (CUP).

To assist operators in becoming legally compliant, the City has prepared a downloadable STR application and supplemental forms (i.e. fillable PDF documents) to assist in the review and licensing of dwellings used for short-term rental purposes. The application and supplemental documents can be found under the "Documents" tab on this BeHeard page. In addition to the application and supplemental forms, there are specific STR regulations are found within Chapter 13, 22, 26 and 29 of the City Code. These regulations can also be found under the "Documents" tab on this BeHeard page.

STR operators seeking licensure are strongly encouraged to review these provisions and read fully the STR Application Instructions on Pages 1-3. Many common questions about the licensure process and application submission errors can be avoided if one reviews these documents.

The City of Columbia’s short-term rental (STR) regulations were adopted in February 2024 and become effective June 1, 2024. As of June 1, 2025, all dwellings operated as short-term rentals were required to have obtained zoning approval, a STR Certificate of Compliance and a Business License, pursuant to Chapter 29, Chapter 22, Article 5 and Chapter 13 of the City Code. Additionally, as of June 1, 2025 operators were required to electronically remit accommodation taxes for each booked night equal to 5% of the nightly room rate to the City of Columbia pursuant to Chapter 26 of the City Code. Failure to obtain zoning compliance, a STR certificate, a business license or remit accommodation taxes can result in enforcement action being pursued against a non-compliant operator.

The STR compliance process is comprised of three unique steps — zoning compliance, rental inspection and business licensing. Rental inspection and business licensing cannot occur without first successfully obtain zoning compliance. Zoning compliance may require securing a conditional use permit (CUP) from the City Council.

Dwellings used as short-term rentals fall into one of three licensing tiers. The three tiers are:

  • Tier 1 (Long-term Resident) – Maximum 30-night usage annually.
  • Tier 2 (Long-term Resident) – Maximum 120-night or 210-night usage annually. 210-night usage requires conditional use permit (CUP) approval.
  • Tier 2 (Not a Long-term Resident) – Maximum 210 nights requires conditional use permit (CUP) approval.
  • Tier 3 (located in M-DT, M-N, M-C, or M-OF zoning districts) – Greater than 120 nights. STR use in M-OF zoning district subject to conditional use permit (CUP).

To assist operators in becoming legally compliant, the City has prepared a downloadable STR application and supplemental forms (i.e. fillable PDF documents) to assist in the review and licensing of dwellings used for short-term rental purposes. The application and supplemental documents can be found under the "Documents" tab on this BeHeard page. In addition to the application and supplemental forms, there are specific STR regulations are found within Chapter 13, 22, 26 and 29 of the City Code. These regulations can also be found under the "Documents" tab on this BeHeard page.

STR operators seeking licensure are strongly encouraged to review these provisions and read fully the STR Application Instructions on Pages 1-3. Many common questions about the licensure process and application submission errors can be avoided if one reviews these documents.

  • Proposed Regulatory Amendments, September 2025

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    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.

Page last updated: 24 Sep 2025, 04:19 PM