Columbia caps short-term rental occupancy at two people per bedroom (excluding children) plus two additional persons, applied at any time of day, under Chapter 5, Article IX of the Code of Ordinances.
Under Columbia's short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 5, Article IX, added by Ord. 2023-037 amending Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances), the maximum occupancy of an STR may not exceed two persons per bedroom (excluding children) plus two additional persons. This total applies at any time of day, not only to overnight guests, so it includes day visitors and any guests of the renting party. The limit is enforced alongside the city's STR Permit program administered by the Code Enforcement Division of the Columbia Police Department, and STRs must also operate under a Business License. Note that Ord. 2025-054 (effective June 9, 2025) imposed a 365-day moratorium on new STR permits in residentially zoned districts, and Ord. 2026-013 later allowed owner-occupied STRs in residential zones without the 4-lane street requirement.
Operating an STR over the bedroom-based occupancy cap is a violation of the city's STR ordinance and can lead to permit revocation, denial of renewal, and code enforcement citations. Renewal applications submitted after July 1 also incur a $100 late fee.
Columbia, SC
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Columbia, SC
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Columbia, SC
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Columbia, SC
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Columbia, SC
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See how Columbia's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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