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Columbia, MO Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Tier 1 cap
30 nights/year
Tier 2 (principal residence) cap
120 nights/year
Tier 2 (non-principal) cap
210 nights/year
Tier 3
Over 120 nights/year

Summary

Columbia, Missouri tiers short-term rentals by annual nights: 30 for a Tier 1 owner-occupied unit, up to 210 for Tier 2.

"Tier 1" short-term rental...The dwelling unit or portion of the dwelling unit is rented by transient guests no greater than a total of thirty (30) nights in a calendar year..."Tier 2" short-term rental...rented by transient guests for no greater than one hundred twenty (120) nights in a calendar year...rented by transient guests for no greater than two hundred ten (210) nights in a calendar year.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).

Full Breakdown

Columbia, Missouri (Boone County) classifies short-term rentals into three tiers under its Unified Development Code. A Tier 1 rental is a long-term resident's principal residence rented to transient guests no more than 30 nights per calendar year. A Tier 2 rental of a principal residence may go up to 120 nights per year with one off-street parking space per two occupants; a non-principal-residence Tier 2 rental may reach 210 nights per year as a conditional accessory use. Tier 3 rentals exceed 120 nights and are permitted or conditional uses only in mixed-use districts. All tiers require a business license and short-term rental certificate of compliance.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding a tier's annual night cap, or operating without a business license and certificate of compliance, violates § 29-3.3(vv) and triggers the penalties in § 29-6.6, including certificate revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nights a year can I rent my Columbia, Missouri house as a short-term rental if I live in it?
Up to 30 nights as Tier 1, or up to 120 nights as Tier 2, per § 29-3.3(vv)(1).
What's the cap for a short-term rental that isn't my primary home in Columbia?
Up to 210 nights per year as a Tier 2 conditional accessory use, or unlimited as a Tier 3 use in mixed-use districts, per § 29-3.3(vv)(1)(ii)-(iii).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbia

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsLight RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSome RestrictionsInsurance RequirementsSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsRepeat Violator StrikesSignificant RestrictionsNoise RulesSignificant RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Columbia rules

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