| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | SC State Sales Tax: 6% of gross rental receipts; additional state accommodations and local taxes apply. Hosts must collect and remit applicable taxes |
| Minimum Stay | No citywide minimum stay specified beyond the STR definition threshold of 30 days. |
| Permit Fee | Annual STR permit: $100/unit for owner-occupied properties; $250/unit for non-owner-occupied properties; $50 annual application fee. City Business Lic |
| Occupancy Limit | Not specified in available city materials; governed by building code and permit conditions. |
Short-term rental regulations in Columbia, South Carolina are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Annual STR permit: $100/unit for owner-occupied properties; $250/unit for non-owner-occupied propert.
Short-term rental operators in Columbia should be aware of these tax obligations: SC State Sales Tax: 6% of gross rental receipts; additional state accommodations and local taxes apply. Hosts must collect and remit applicable taxes unless handled by platform..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Columbia include: Occupancy limit: Not specified in available city materials; governed by building code and permit conditions.. Minimum stay: No citywide minimum stay specified beyond the STR definition threshold of 30 days..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Columbia: STRs (defined as rentals of 30 days or less) are regulated citywide. As of June 17, 2025, a 365-day moratorium (Ordinance 2025-054) prohibits issuance of NEW STR permits in residentially zoned distric. Density rules: Moratorium effectively creates a density freeze in residential zones through approximately June 2026. No explicit percentage cap was identified in the. Insurance: Yes.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Columbia: Platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO may collect and remit state-level taxes; operators are ultimately responsible for compliance with all local tax and permit requirements..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Short-term rental regulations in Columbia are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Columbia City Council held a work session on March 16, 2026 to discuss proposed amendments to its short-term rental regulations. The original rules were approved approximately 18 months earlier. Speci
Yes. Columbia requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Columbia are subject to the following tax obligations: SC State Sales Tax: 6% of gross rental receipts; additional state accommodations and local taxes apply. Hosts must collect and remit applicable taxes unless handled by platform..
['Work session held March 16, 2026 to discuss amendments', 'Original STR rules approved ~18 months prior (September 2024)', 'Specific amendment proposals not detailed in source', 'Status of amendments unknown as of latest report']
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