Columbia requires short-term rental operators to carry liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence covering personal injury (including death) and property damage, under Chapter 5, Article IX of the Code of Ordinances.
Columbia's STR ordinance (Chapter 5, Article IX, added by Ord. 2023-037) requires every short-term rental operator to maintain insurance coverage against personal injury (including death) and property damage of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. Proof of coverage is part of the STR Permit application reviewed by the Code Enforcement Division of the Columbia Police Department, and operators must hold both an STR Permit and a Business License before any guest occupancy. Some homeowners or rental platforms package equivalent host protection, but the policy must satisfy the per-occurrence minimum the city requires. Permit fees are $100/year for owner-occupied units, $250/year for non-owner-occupied units, plus a $50 annual application fee.
Operating without the required insurance is grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of the STR Permit and for code enforcement citations. Renewal applications received after July 1 incur a $100 late fee, and the 365-day moratorium under Ord. 2025-054 blocks most new residential-zone permits.
Columbia, SC
Columbia prohibits dogs that bark excessively and disturb neighbors. Columbia Animal Services handles complaints about nuisance barking.
Columbia, SC
Columbia regulates noise under Chapter 8, Article III (Noise) of the Code of Ordinances. The city prohibits unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace, with ...
Columbia, SC
Columbia requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on unimproved areas in residential zones is a code violation.
Columbia, SC
Columbia regulates on-street parking with time limits, metered downtown areas, and restrictions near hydrants and intersections.
Columbia, SC
Columbia restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas through zoning regulations.
Columbia, SC
South Carolina does not require neighbor consent to build a fence. Fences must be within property lines. SC has no general fence cost-sharing statute.
See how Columbia's insurance requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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