Columbia’s New Short-Term Rental Rules: Are They Making a Real Impact?

Columbia’s Short-Term Rental Scene: Has the New Rules Made a Difference?

Columbia has been buzzing with discussions about short-term rentals like Airbnbs for a while now. Just a couple of years ago, the city was on the verge of implementing a ban on these rentals, largely due to local homeowners expressing frustration about issues like trash problems, noisy parties, and parking nightmares in their neighborhoods. However, the Airbnb operators pushed back, stating that most property managers are decent folks just trying to make a living. This led to a compromise, and in April 2023, the city rolled out a series of new regulations designed to keep a closer eye on these rentals without outright banning them.

New Rules in Effect

These new rules officially took effect in September 2023 and required short-term rentals to be licensed with the city. But, as with any new law, we were left curious – are they working?

City leaders have been crunching the numbers, and the verdict seems to be mostly positive. Currently, there are 423 registered short-term rentals in Columbia, though city officials believe that around 70 more may be operating under the radar without licenses. Interestingly, Earlewood and Shandon neighborhoods lead the way, hosting 43 and 30 registered rentals respectively.

Calls to the Police Department

In the 17 weeks leading up to the implementation of the ordinance, there were 24 calls for service linked to presumed short-term rentals. However, after the rules were activated, that number jumped to 47 calls. Columbia Police Chief, Skip Holbrook, pointed out that while the figures look higher, they actually indicate that the new system is functioning effectively. Out of the 47 calls, a significant portion – 19 to be exact – were “report to meet” calls that ended without any action required from the police. These were largely related to noise complaints or minor nuisances.

Holbrook mentioned that the fresh regulations have illuminated the situation in neighborhoods. “It’s put antennas out in the neighborhood,” he remarked. This helps residents recognize if short-term rentals exist on their street, while also providing property owners with guidance on how to handle potential issues with disruptive guests. Only six of the 47 calls resulted in an incident report, showing that most concerns were more about raising awareness rather than major problems.

Code Enforcement Findings

On the code enforcement front, the city has recorded 43 cases across 27 properties registered as short-term rentals. The most common violations? Folks have been caught improperly storing their garbage carts. Additionally, 12 violations have been found at 10 properties believed to be illegal rentals.

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann weighed in on the importance of having a licensing system. He argued that these rules were put in place not only to regulate but also to better understand the number of rentals operating throughout the city. During a recent city work session, he mentioned, “We’ve given people plenty of time to know there’s a rule around it,” hinting that changes might be needed for those who choose to ignore the regulations.

Future Measures?

Currently, those operating short-term rentals without a license could face fines, have their operations shut down, or even become ineligible for a permit in the future. However, there were no concrete decisions made regarding potential changes to these penalties during the latest council meeting.

So, has Columbia struck the right balance with its newly implemented short-term rental regulations? While the debate rumbles on, one thing’s for sure: it’s evident that all parties are trying to make our neighborhoods as lovely and peaceful as possible.