Short-Term Rentals in Columbia, SC: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Columbia or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Columbia has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Columbia requires two designated parking spaces per short-term rental dwelling unit in residential districts. Hosts must tell guests where to park and how many vehicles are allowed, with a narrow administrative exemption for lots that physically cannot fit the spaces.

Key details: Spaces required: 2 per dwelling unit. Applies in: Residential districts per Sec. 17-3.2. Exemption authority: Police chief or designee. Appeal body: Property Maintenance Board of Appeals. Governing section: City Code Sec. 5-402(12).

Failing to provide, designate, or disclose the required two parking spaces is a violation under Sec. 5-407 that can draw one point for a first offense and five points for each repeat offense within 12 months, at $100.00 per point. Fifteen or more points in 12 months triggers revocation proceedings before the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals under Sec. 5-408.

Short-Term Rental Permits

No dwelling in Columbia may operate as a short-term rental without a current annual STR permit from the city. Permits are non-transferable, tied to one address, and limited to owners or agents based within 45 miles of the property.

Key details: Permit required: Before any STR operation begins. Term: Annual, renews each July 1. Local-agent radius: 45 miles of the property. Transferability: Non-transferable; new owner needs new permit. Late enforcement penalty: $500.00 administrative penalty.

Operating without a permit is enforced under Sec. 5-410: failing to obtain a required STR permit within 15 days after notice of noncompliance results in a $500.00 administrative penalty. Operating without a valid permit is also listed as an Article IX violation under Sec. 5-407(a)(2), which can accrue points toward permit revocation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Columbia actively enforces its short-term rental permits requirements.

Taxes & Fees

Columbia charges a $50 non-refundable application fee for every STR permit, plus a $100 registration fee for owner-occupied units or $250 for non-owner-occupied units, with a $100 late fee for renewals filed after July 1.

Key details: Application fee: $50.00, non-refundable. Owner-occupied registration fee: $100.00. Non-owner-occupied registration fee: $250.00 per unit. Late renewal fee: $100.00. Renewal deadline: July 1 annually.

Submitting a renewal application after July 1 triggers a $100.00 late fee under Sec. 5-404(b)(4); missing the July 31 cutoff (beginning in 2024) results in loss of the permit under Sec. 5-403(c). Fees must be paid in full at the time of application submission before the city processes the permit.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Columbia runs a points-based strike system against STR permits: one point for a first violation, five for each repeat within 12 months, and ten for a serious safety violation, with revocation proceedings triggered at 15 points.

Key details: First offense: 1 point. Repeat offense (12 mo.): 5 points each. Serious safety offense: 10 points. Fee per point: $100.00. Revocation threshold: 15+ points in 12 months.

Points accrue per Sec. 5-407(c): 1 point for a first offense, 5 for each subsequent offense within 12 months, and 10 for a serious safety-related offense, each carrying a $100.00 fee per point. Reaching 15 points in 12 months starts revocation proceedings under Sec. 5-408, and a revoked owner cannot reapply for six months per Sec. 5-409.

Compared to other cities, Columbia takes a harder line on repeat violator strikes. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Occupancy Limits

Sec. 5-402(13) limits every permitted short-term rental in Columbia to two overnight guests per bedroom, excluding minor children, plus two more people for the whole dwelling unit. The cap sits alongside the two-parking-space rule and 18-and-older booking-guest requirement that govern every STR permit in the city.

Key details: Occupancy cap: 2 guests/bedroom plus 2. Minimum stay: 1 night. Minimum booking guest age: 18 years. Parking required: 2 spaces per dwelling unit. Unpermitted STR penalty: $500 after 15 days.

Exceeding the maximum occupancy is a violation under Sec. 5-407(a)(3) that assesses points against the STR permit: one point for a first offense, five for each repeat within 12 months, and up to ten for a serious safety violation. Fifteen points within 12 months triggers revocation proceedings under Sec. 5-408, and operating without a current permit draws a $500.00 administrative penalty under Sec. 5-410 after 15 days' notice.

The Bottom Line

Columbia is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Columbia, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Columbia can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.