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Columbia, MO Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Tier 1 requirement
long-term resident's principal residence
Night cap
30 nights per year
Proof required
driver's license, tax return, utility bill
Exceeding limits
moves to Tier 2/3

Summary

Columbia, Missouri limits Tier 1 short-term rentals to a long-term resident's principal residence, rented no more than 30 nights a year.

"Tier 1" short-term rental. Shall be an accessory use in zoning districts A, R-1, R-2, R-MF, M-OF, M-N, M-C, and M-DT provided the following criteria are met:(A)The dwelling unit is a long-term resident's principal residence; and(B)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.

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's UDC § 29-3.3(vv)(1)(i) creates a Tier 1 short-term rental category available only where the dwelling unit is the long-term resident's principal residence, the one home in Boone County to which that owner or authorized tenant returns. A Tier 1 rental is further capped at renting the unit or a portion of it to transient guests no more than thirty nights per calendar year; exceeding either the residency or night limits moves the property into Tier 2 or Tier 3, which carry conditional-use review and parking requirements Tier 1 does not.

Violations & Fines

Renting a non-owner-occupied dwelling as Tier 1, or claiming principal-residence status without proof, violates UDC § 29-3.3(vv) and can void the short-term rental certificate of compliance under § 29-6.6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a Tier 1 short-term rental in Columbia if I don't live there?
No. Tier 1 requires the dwelling be the long-term resident's documented principal residence under UDC § 29-3.3(vv)(1)(i)(A).
How many nights can a Tier 1 Columbia short-term rental operate per year?
No more than 30 nights in a calendar year; more nights requires Tier 2 or Tier 3 registration instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbia

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsLight RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSome RestrictionsInsurance RequirementsSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsNight CapsSignificant 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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