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- Short Term Rentals - Community Discussion
Short Term Rentals - Community Discussion
Please joins us for a public forum to discuss Short Term Rental regulations.
Short Term Rentals (STRs) have become popular with travelers visiting Columbia. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO allow property owners to generate income by marketing their homes as vacation rentals. The platforms which facilitate STRs pay Local Occupancy Taxes to the state of Tennessee. This revenue is remitted to local governments and can only be used for tourism development. At the same time, residents have become concerned about the impact of transient accommodations in established residential neighborhoods. Excessive revelry by out-of-town guests occasionally disrupts long-term residents’ quite enjoyment of their homes.
Since July 2022, Columbia’s zoning regulations have permitted STRs within owner-occupied homes in some mixed-use areas. The zoning ordinance prohibits STRs in primarily residential areas. Many nonconforming STRs continue to operate in spite of these regulations due to the strong demand for vacation rentals in Columbia. The city has recently increased enforcement of the standards related to STRs. This has begun a community conversation about when, where, and under what circumstances residential buildings should be used as STRs.
Planning and Zoning staff will facilitate a public forum on Wednesday, October 23rd at City Hall. The purpose of the forum is to bring together stakeholders from across Columbia to discuss the issues related to STRs and suggest policies which will benefit residents, property owners, and visitors. Topics for discussion include:
- Reasonable limits on the location of short-term rental units operating in Columbia;
- Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the quiet enjoyment of neighboring residents and the community at large;
- Fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the safety of short-term rental unit occupants;
- A predictable process of permitting and enforcement for STRs.
Planning staff will present the community’s comments to the Planning Commission in December 2024. The Planning Commission may recommend amendments to the text of the zoning ordinance. We hope that you will join us for this community discussion.
Share your Preferences with City Decision-Makers
The success of this project depends on your participation. The Planning Commission and City Council rely on public comment to determine community preferences and establish zoning standards. Please complete this online survey about short-term rentals in Columbia. The first four questions ask your opinion about how STRs should be regulated. The second part of the survey contains six additional questions about your personal experience with STRs. This portion of the survey is optional and anonymous.