🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Columbia, SC
Columbia Redraws the Map for Short-Term Rentals With New Zoning Plan
Columbia Moves Forward on Short-Term Rental Zoning And Not Everyone Is Happy
Columbia City Council has taken a major step toward redefining the future of short-term rentals, approving the first reading of a zoning ordinance after nearly two hours of public comment. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann summed up the moment bluntly: there is no “middle ground” left on the issue.
The proposed ordinance focuses squarely on location. Short-term rentals would be allowed in residential areas only if they are located on four-lane collector or arterial roads, such as Trenholm Road and Forest Drive. Rentals would still be permitted in commercial and mixed-use districts, but most residential streets would no longer be eligible for new short-term rental permits.
Existing rentals in non-conforming areas would be grandfathered in and allowed to continue operating. Importantly, those properties could be sold with the short-term rental business license attached, preserving their status for future owners. The ordinance must still pass a second reading before becoming law, with public comment scheduled at both meetings next year.
This vote represents the culmination of a years-long process that began in 2022. Tensions escalated this summer when the city imposed a moratorium on new short-term rentals following a deadly shooting at an Elmwood Airbnb. While critics described the zoning plan as reactionary, city leaders emphasized that the proposal reflects long-term planning and community engagement.
Neighborhood advocates used the meeting to highlight concerns about noise, trash, parking, and party houses. Many residents said short-term rentals operated by out-of-state companies lack accountability. Meg Southern of the Earlewood Neighborhood Association said residents have raised these issues for years, independent of recent shootings, and expressed relief at the council’s decision.
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Short-term rental owners, however, warned the ordinance could severely impact local businesses and tourism. Some argued the city should enforce existing rules rather than restrict where rentals can exist. Earlier this year, Columbia strengthened its enforcement ordinance by raising the minimum booking age to 21 and enhancing its violation point system, though critics say enforcement remains inconsistent.
Planning staff created zoning maps that limit rentals to major roadways, stating the goal is to protect quieter residential streets while allowing rentals along busier corridors. The Planning Commission previously voted to deny the proposal, warning of unintended consequences.
Despite opposition from both sides, Mayor Rickenmann framed the ordinance as a necessary step forward and one that brings the city closer to lifting the moratorium. As Columbia moves toward final approval, short-term rental operators and neighborhoods alike are watching closely to see how this new map reshapes the city’s rental landscape.
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