Short-Term Rental Laws in Columbia, SC (2026)
Columbia requires an annual Short-Term Rental Permit plus a city business license for every unit rented under 30 days, with fees of $100/year (owner-occupied) or $250/year (non-owner-occupied) plus a $50 application fee. After a June 2025 moratorium (repealed March 3, 2026), amended rules allow STRs in all commercial and mixed-use districts, but new non-owner-occupied STRs in residential districts are limited to streets with at least four through lanes classified as arterial or collector; owner-occupied STRs are exempt from the location restriction. Enforcement uses a points system ($100 per point) with permit revocation at 15 points in 12 months, plus a $500-per-day administrative penalty for operating without a permit or leaving violations uncorrected after 15 days' notice, and the September 2025 amendments raised the minimum booking age from 18 to 21.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 13 official sources. How we verify data
Columbia STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Permit |
| Permit fee | $250 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Minimum stay | 1 night |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~10% of gross revenue |
| Insurance | No longer required at application: the original 2023 ordinance required a copy of general liability insurance with the STR permit application (2023 Sec. 5-404(a)(8)), but the restated Article IX adopted by Ordinance 2025-064 (final reading Sept 16, 2025) dropped that item from the application requirements in Sec. 5-404(a). A vestigial records-retention provision (Sec. 5-402(5)(a)) still requires owners to keep records demonstrating 'compliance with the insurance requirement in this section' for two years. |
| Enforcement | Enforcement runs through a points system administered by the police chief: 1 point for a first violation, 5 points for each subsequent violation within 12 months, and 10 points for a serious offense that could result in serious bodily injury or death. |
| Current rules effective | 2023-05-04 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Columbia stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Columbia, SC — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Columbia occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| South Carolina State Sales and Use Tax (5%)· collection varies | $22.50 |
| South Carolina State Accommodations Tax (2%)· collection varies | $9.00 |
| City of Columbia Tourism Development Fee (3%)· collection varies | $13.50 |
| Total tax (10%) | $45.00 |
| Guest pays | $495.00 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Columbia requires Short-Term Rental Permit to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $250, renewed annually.
Annual STR permit registration fee is $250.00 per dwelling unit for non-owner-occupied STRs (the typical investor case) or $100.00 for owner-occupied STRs, plus a non-refundable $50 application fee each year. The city also lists a $10 annual zoning review fee. Renewal applications submitted after July 1 incur a $100 late fee; a city business license (fee varies by gross income) is also required.
Zoning & location rules
Under the January 2026 ordinance amendments, STRs are allowed in all commercial and mixed-use zoning districts. In residential base zoning districts, new non-owner-occupied STRs are only allowed on streets with at least four through lanes (excluding turn lanes) that are classified as major arterial, minor arterial or collector on the city's transportation maps. On March 3, 2026 council amended the Unified Development Code to exempt owner-occupied STRs from these location restrictions. STR permits issued before the amendments are grandfathered and may continue operating regardless of zoning district. Per the city's Planning & Development STR page, STRs are permitted without additional restriction in Mixed-Use, Activity Center/Corridor, Commercial and Employment Campus districts (Ord. 2025-107), with the owner-occupied exemption adopted as Ord. 2026-013. Two designated parking spaces per dwelling unit are required within residential districts; all STR parking must be off-street or on-site, with an administrative exemption available from the police chief where the lot cannot meet the requirement.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State Sales and Use TaxApplies to accommodations rented for less than 90 continuous days. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit for platform bookings; owners who book directly must collect and remit to SCDOR. | 5% | varies |
| South Carolina State Accommodations TaxState accommodations tax on stays under 90 consecutive days (combined 7% state rate with sales tax). Per SCDOR, the person or business who books the accommodation is responsible for collecting and remitting - platforms for platform bookings, owners for direct bookings. | 2% | varies |
| City of Columbia Tourism Development Fee3% city fee on accommodations; stays of 30+ continuous days are excluded. Airbnb collects it for Columbia listings (reservations 29 nights and shorter); otherwise the business is liable for collection and monthly remittance to the city by the 20th of the following month (Form TDF96). Late payment penalty of 5% per month. | 3% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
Enforcement runs through a points system administered by the police chief: 1 point for a first violation, 5 points for each subsequent violation within 12 months, and 10 points for a serious offense that could result in serious bodily injury or death. A $100.00 fee is assessed per point. Accumulating 15+ points within 12 months triggers revocation proceedings before the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals. Under Ordinance 2025-064 (final reading Sept 16, 2025), the police chief or designee may also immediately revoke a permit for extreme infractions such as acts of violence, unsafe living conditions or illegal activity on the premises (Sec. 5-407(d)), and hosts must screen bookings from guests who live within 30 miles of the property (the booking may be canceled or additional verification required). Separately, Sec. 5-410 (added by Ord. 2023-111, Sept 19, 2023) imposes a $500.00 administrative penalty per offense — each day a separate offense — on owners who fail to obtain a permit or abide by the article within 15 days after notice of noncompliance. After revocation, the owner must wait six months to reapply, and the city will not re-permit a unit revoked more than once. Online ads must display the STR permit number, and the owner or a responsible local representative within 45 miles must be reachable at all times. Registration and renewals are handled through the city's online portal (slate.tolemi.com/c/columbia-sc); renewals are due by June 30 each year.
$100.00 assessed per violation point (1 point first offense, 5 points per repeat offense within 12 months, 10 points for a serious offense); 15+ points in 12 months subjects the permit to revocation, with a 6-month bar on reapplying and a permanent bar after a second revocation. In addition, Sec. 5-410 imposes a $500.00 administrative penalty per offense (each day of violation is a separate offense) for failing to obtain a permit or abide by the article within 15 days after notice of noncompliance. Late permit renewal incurs a $100 fee.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in Columbia: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: Under the January 2026 ordinance amendments, STRs are allowed in all commercial and mixed-use zoning districts. In residential base zoning districts, new non-owner-occupied STRs are only allowed on streets with at least four through lanes (excluding turn lanes) that are classified as major arterial, minor arterial or collector on the city's transportation maps. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit
Budget $250, renewed annually. 00 for owner-occupied STRs, plus a non-refundable $50 application fee each year. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Line up required insurance
No longer required at application: the original 2023 ordinance required a copy of general liability insurance with the STR permit application (2023 Sec. 5-404(a)(8)), but the restated Article IX adopted by Ordinance 2025-064 (final reading Sept 16, 2025) dropped that item from the application requirements in Sec. 5-404(a). A vestigial records-retention provision (Sec. 5-402(5)(a)) still requires owners to keep records demonstrating 'compliance with the insurance requirement in this section' for two years.
- 5
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: South Carolina State Sales and Use Tax (5%), South Carolina State Accommodations Tax (2%), City of Columbia Tourism Development Fee (3%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 6
Configure your listing to the operating limits
Set your calendar and listing rules to respect the 1-night minimum stay — platform delisting and fines in this market typically start with listings that visibly violate these limits.
- 7
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annually (budget $250 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 8
Know the cost of getting it wrong
00 assessed per violation point (1 point first offense, 5 points per repeat offense within 12 months, 10 points for a serious offense); 15+ points in 12 months subjects the permit to revocation, with a 6-month bar on reapplying and a permanent bar after a second revocation. In addition, Sec. Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.
Recent rule changes in Columbia
June 1, 2026
Online STR registration portal launched
The city launched an online platform (slate.tolemi.com/c/columbia-sc) for STR registration and renewals; renewals were due by June 30, 2026, and new applications opened June 1, 2026.
Official source →March 3, 2026material
Moratorium repealed; owner-occupied STRs exempted from location restrictions
City Council repealed the June 2025 moratorium and amended the Unified Development Code to exclude owner-occupied short-term rentals from the new arterial/collector street location restrictions in residential districts.
Official source →March 3, 2026material
Moratorium repealed (Ord. 2026-009); owner-occupied STRs exempted from location restrictions (Ord. 2026-013)
City Council repealed the June 2025 moratorium via Ordinance 2026-009 (final reading March 3, 2026) and amended the Unified Development Code (Ord. 2026-013) to exclude owner-occupied short-term rentals from the four-lane arterial/collector street location restrictions in residential districts.
Official source →January 6, 2026material
Zoning amendments (Ord. 2025-107) given final approval
Council finalized Unified Development Code amendments restricting new residential-district STRs to parcels with frontage on streets with at least four through lanes classified as major arterial, minor arterial or collector; STRs remain allowed in commercial, mixed-use, activity center/corridor and employment campus districts, and previously approved STRs are grandfathered.
Official source →January 6, 2026material
STR ordinance amendments given final approval
Council finalized amendments raising the minimum booking-guest age from 18 to 25, allowing the police chief or designee to revoke permits in extreme cases (e.g., acts of violence), and restricting new residential-district STRs to streets with at least four through lanes classified as major arterial, minor arterial or collector; STRs remain allowed in all commercial and mixed-use districts, and previously approved STRs are grandfathered.
Official source →September 16, 2025material
Ordinance 2025-064 rewrites STR regulations: booking age 21, immediate revocation power, local guest screening
Council gave final reading (Sept 16, 2025) to Ordinance 2025-064 restating Chapter 5, Article IX: minimum booking age raised from 18 to 21 (25 had been proposed at first reading but was scaled back); the police chief or designee may immediately revoke a permit for extreme infractions (acts of violence, unsafe living conditions, illegal activity); hosts must screen bookings from guests living within 30 miles; maximum occupancy applies 24 hours a day; parking must be off-street or on-site; the minimum stay stays at one night; and the copy-of-liability-insurance application requirement was dropped.
Official source →June 17, 2025critical
365-day moratorium on new STR permits
Following a fatal shooting at a downtown Airbnb on Lincoln St., City Council approved a year-long moratorium on new short-term rental permit applications in June 2025 (applications received after June 9, 2025 were affected); existing permit holders could still renew.
Official source →June 17, 2025critical
365-day moratorium on new STR permits (Ord. 2025-054)
Following a fatal shooting at a downtown Airbnb on Lincoln St., City Council enacted Ordinance 2025-054 (final reading June 17, 2025, effective immediately as an emergency measure): a 365-day moratorium on issuance of new permits under the STR ordinance in residential areas, excluding renewals of already permitted rentals.
Official source →September 19, 2023material
Ordinance 2023-111 adds $500-per-day administrative penalty
Council amended Article IX (Ord. 2023-111, Sept 19, 2023), adding Sec. 5-410: failure to obtain a permit or abide by the article within 15 days after notice of noncompliance results in a $500.00 administrative penalty per offense, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Columbia?
Airbnb is legal in Columbia, SC, but with significant restrictions — check the zoning and eligibility rules on this page before listing. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Columbia?
Yes. Columbia requires a Short-Term Rental Permit to operate a short-term rental, which costs $250 and must be renewed annually. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Columbia short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental Permit costs $250 (annual renewal). Annual STR permit registration fee is $250.00 per dwelling unit for non-owner-occupied STRs (the typical investor case) or $100.00 for owner-occupied STRs, plus a non-refundable $50 application fee each year. The city also lists a $10 annual zoning review fee. Renewal applications submitted after July 1 incur a $100 late fee; a city business license (fee varies by gross income) is also required.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Columbia?
Yes — Columbia does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Columbia?
Hosts in Columbia are subject to: South Carolina State Sales and Use Tax (5%), South Carolina State Accommodations Tax (2%), City of Columbia Tourism Development Fee (3%) — roughly 10% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›Is there a minimum stay for short-term rentals in Columbia?
Yes — Columbia requires a minimum stay of 1 night for short-term rentals. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need insurance to run a short-term rental in Columbia?
No longer required at application: the original 2023 ordinance required a copy of general liability insurance with the STR permit application (2023 Sec. 5-404(a)(8)), but the restated Article IX adopted by Ordinance 2025-064 (final reading Sept 16, 2025) dropped that item from the application requirements in Sec. 5-404(a). A vestigial records-retention provision (Sec. 5-402(5)(a)) still requires owners to keep records demonstrating 'compliance with the insurance requirement in this section' for two years. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Columbia?
No — in Columbia hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Columbia?
00 assessed per violation point (1 point first offense, 5 points per repeat offense within 12 months, 10 points for a serious offense); 15+ points in 12 months subjects the permit to revocation, with a 6-month bar on reapplying and a permanent bar after a second revocation. In addition, Sec. See the enforcement section on this page for full details.
›When did Columbia's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on May 4, 2023. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
Columbia's STR rules changed 8 times recently.
Get an email the moment Columbia changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Related
Nearby covered markets
- Charlotte, NCAllowed
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- Myrtle Beach, SCRestricted
More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in Columbia
- Columbia short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in Columbia?
- All South Carolina STR laws by city
- Occupancy tax calculator
- Compare STR permit costs across cities
- Columbia ranks among strictest str cities
- STR city rankings: strictest, cheapest permits & more
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Sources
- Ordinance No. 2023-037 - Article IX, Short Term Rentals (City of Columbia City Council)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance No. 2025-064 - Amending Chapter 5, Article IX, Short-term rental regulations (final reading Sept 16, 2025; current codified Article IX text)retrieved July 21, 2026
- Ordinance No. 2025-054 - 365-day moratorium on new STR permits in residential areas (final reading June 17, 2025)retrieved July 21, 2026
- Ordinance No. 2026-009 - Repealing Ordinance 2025-054 (moratorium repeal, final reading March 3, 2026)retrieved July 21, 2026
- Short-Term Rentals (STR) - City of Columbia Planning & Development (zoning; Ord. 2025-107 and Ord. 2026-013)retrieved July 21, 2026
- Short-Term Rentals - City of Columbia Police Department (official city STR page)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Tourism Development Fee - City of Columbia Business Licensingretrieved July 20, 2026
- Accommodations - South Carolina Department of Revenueretrieved July 20, 2026
- Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in South Carolinaretrieved July 20, 2026
- Columbia City Council passes changes to short-term rental ordinance (WIS TV, Jan 6, 2026)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Columbia City Council repeals moratorium on short-term rentals (WIS TV, Mar 4, 2026)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Columbia City Council approves first reading of short-term rental ordinance (ABC Columbia, Aug 6, 2025)retrieved July 20, 2026
- City of Columbia launches online platform for short-term rental registration, renewals (WIS TV, May 29, 2026)retrieved July 20, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Columbia and a qualified professional before operating.