Short-term rental (STR) means the use and enjoyment of a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, for a duration of less than 30 consecutive days in exchange for valuable consideration. Hotels, motels, bed, and breakfast establishments, and inns are excluded from this definition.

All owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals made available to occupants for periods of less than 30 consecutive days in the municipal limits of the City must get a short-term rental permit prior to renting.

Yes. A Business License must be obtained prior to getting an STR permit. For Business License questions please contact their office at 803-545-3345 or email [email protected].

Yes. A STR permit is also required for all short-term rental units in the City of Columbia.

The cost of the permit is $100 a year per unit for owner-occupied and $250 a year per unit for non-owner-occupied. There is also an annual application fee of $50.

Owner-occupied means a dwelling unit that is lawfully classified as owner-occupied by the County and is receiving the 4% special assessment ratio.

Non-owner-occupied means a dwelling unit that is not owner-occupied and is used and/or advertised for rent for transient occupancy by guests.

Permits are effective from July 1st to June 30th each year. Renewal applications must be received on or prior to July 1st. Any renewal applications received after July 1st will incur a $100 late fee.

A short-term rental permit will only be issued or renewed to an owner or a responsible local representative having his or her place of residence or business office within 45 miles of the STR property. If residing outside of 45 miles of the STR property, the owner may only obtain a permit if he or she has a responsible local representative.

Responsible local representative means a person having his or her place of residence or business office within 45 miles of the short-term rental property and designated by the property owner as the agent responsible for operating such property in compliance with the City’s ordinances and having been authorized by appointment to accept service of process on behalf of the owner pursuant to Rule 4(d)(l) of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

A short-term rental permit is required for each STR unit. A separate application for each unit must also be submitted.

The residential rental permit is only good for long-term rentals. You will need to get a short-term rental permit for all STRs effective May 4, 2023.

Yes. If the unit will ever be available for short-term rental, an STR permit is required. A short-term rental permit allows you to also rent the unit long-term, however, it does not work the other way around. You cannot have a long-term permit and rent short-term.

Yes. There should be two parking spaces made available on the property for each dwelling unit.

The STR ordinance becomes effective on May 4, 2023. All current STR owners will have 120 days from that date to get the permit without penalty. Any new STR will need to have the permit prior to renting the unit out.