Bulletin: West Columbia, SC News Today
Hosts get 90 days to register before a $100 late fee applies and more than three verified violations in a year cost the permit for 12 months
West Columbia Adopts $150 Short-Term Rental Permit With Two-Night Minimum and 45-Minute Response Rule
Hosts get 90 days to register before a $100 late fee applies and more than three verified violations in a year cost the permit for 12 months
Photo from https://www.airbnb.co.uk/
The West Columbia City Council adopted new short-term rental standards at its September 1 meeting and ended a review that began with a public comment period in May.
The rules amend Title 5, Chapter 2, Article K of the city code and define a short-term rental as any residential unit rented in whole or in part for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Every such unit now needs a $150 annual permit and hosts have 90 days from the effective date to obtain one before a $100 per-unit late fee applies.
What the permit requires
The permit sits on top of the city's existing rental registration and business license requirements. Permits are non-transferable so a buyer must apply fresh after a sale. Short-term rentals are allowed by right inside existing dwelling units in the C-1, C-2, C-3, R-1 and R-2 zoning districts under the companion zoning amendment.
West Columbia’s proposed zoning amendments defining short-term rentals and identifying the zoning districts where they are permitted. | Source: https://westcolumbiasc.civicweb.net/
Before operating, an owner must send written notice to adjacent property owners, owners directly across the street and any homeowners or property owners association. Any change to the owner or designated agent must be reported within 14 days while every advertisement including listings on Airbnb and Vrbo must display the city permit number.
Operating rules
Bookings must run at least two consecutive nights while renters must be 21 or older while overnight occupancy is capped at two people per bedroom with children under five not counted. Off-street parking of at least one space per bedroom is required and guests may not park overnight on the street or on grass or landscaped areas. The owner or a designated agent must be physically present at the unit within 45 minutes of a request from an authorized city official.
A separate amendment package considered alongside Article K adds three further conditions: no visitors beyond the permitted occupancy between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., a working noise monitor that alerts the operator when sound exceeds 80 decibels, and a ban on renting to anyone whose primary residence is within 50 miles of the unit with owners required to verify residency before check-in.
Enforcement
More than three verified violations within 12 months or any failure to comply with the article are grounds for revocation and a revoked property cannot receive a new permit for 12 months. Violations include operating without a permit, false application information, failing to give guests the required information packet, parking and sanitation breaches, failure to respond, and verified noise or nuisance complaints. Each day, a violation continues counts as a separate offense and the city may also issue municipal citations or suspend the business license.
Units that held a valid business license and rental registration before adoption may claim lawful nonconforming status.
⦾ Status: Adopted September 1, 2026
⦾ Effective date: Not yet published by the city
⦾ Registration required: Yes. $150 annual STR permit plus rental registration and business license
⦾ Registration deadline: 90 days from the effective date; $100 late fee per unit after that
⦾ Minimum stay: Two consecutive nights
⦾ Occupancy cap: Two persons per bedroom excluding children under five
⦾ Response time: Owner or agent on site within 45 minutes of a city request
⦾ Night cap: None
⦾ Penalty for non-compliance: Permit revocation after more than three verified violations in 12 months; 12-month ineligibility; citations; business license suspension
⦾ Platform responsibility: No. Permit number display falls on the host
Luis-Alfredo Garcia
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