News Summary
The Columbia City Council has postponed a vote on short-term rental regulations following a violent incident at an Airbnb. Mayor Rickenmann supports stricter regulations aimed at improving community safety. Proposed changes include raising the minimum age for booking and imposing stricter occupancy limits. The council plans to discuss these regulations again in August.
Columbia – The Columbia City Council has decided to postpone a vote on proposed regulations for short-term rentals in light of a recent violent incident. The decision came after a shooting at an Elmwood Park Airbnb on June 6, which resulted in the death of a teenager and injuries to three others.
The council had originally intended to address amendments and lift a temporary suspension on new short-term rental permits. However, these plans were deferred following the shooting, prompting a reevaluation of the current rental policies. The City Council plans to resume discussions on short-term rental regulations during a work session set for August 5.
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann underscored the urgency for implementing stricter regulations, aiming for these to be in place by Labor Day. He voiced concerns that the delay could impede needed improvements aimed at addressing significant community issues stemming from the current rules governing short-term rentals.
Currently, there are 139 unregistered short-term rentals operating in Columbia. The city manager has been instructed to work with the code enforcement director to hire additional staff tasked with enforcing rental regulations more effectively. Proposed changes under consideration include:
- Raising the minimum age to book a short-term rental from 18 to 25 years
- Increasing the minimum stay length for rentals from one night to two nights
- Clarifying that the maximum overnight occupancy limit is two guests per dwelling unit plus two per bedroom, not counting minor children
- Requiring hosts to screen local guests living within 30 miles to ensure properties are not used for parties and illicit activities
- Explicitly listing repeated disturbances or parties as violations that could lead to permit revocation
The proposed regulations would also grant the police chief the authority to revoke rental permits for serious infractions or major events, including incidents involving violence or illegal activities. Furthermore, short-term rental operators would be mandated to establish a local representative responsible for managing issues and maintaining communication with neighbors and authorities.
In efforts to address parking concerns associated with short-term rentals, each rental will be required to provide a minimum of two off-street or onsite parking spaces. These proposals follow previous scrutiny faced by short-term rentals, including a 2023 ordinance that mandated property owners to register and secure permits before renting out their properties.
City officials are looking to finalize new regulations ahead of the busy fall season, which will be marked by various local events and holidays. As part of the upcoming work session, public comments will be solicited, allowing community members to have their say on future decisions regarding short-term rental licensing and enforcement.
The postponement of the vote and the forthcoming session reflect the Council’s commitment to balancing the needs of residents, property owners, and public safety concerns in Columbia.
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Additional Resources
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