Short Term Rental

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has done a lot of work on the ordinance.  Most of the information from P&Z is located on the STR page on como.gov  Most of the discussions in P&Z are focused on land use and zoning because that is their charter.  P&Z has focused on where the city will allow them, commercial districts vs residential, R1 zoning districts vs. RMF.  What kinds of licensing procedures will there be?  Will we allow hosted or unhosted STRs?  What enforcement mechanisms are available to neighbors. 

There are between 300 and 600 active STRs in Columbia as of now.  AirBnB and other sites have features in place to collect taxes and, in some cases, collects them but may not release the money unless there is a valid business license.  https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/481/how-do-taxes-work-for-hosts  The City of Columbia is looking at ways to collect taxes but are trying to be careful to not provide a property right that may have to be pulled back.  

Recent Action
The City Council heard the STR report from P&Z during their November 18th meeting and decided the following:

Public comment is available at every step.  Since comment is not available during a work session, they will take it during the regular meeting after the work session.  If you wish to speak to council on this topic, you can register for public comment at the beginning of the meeting here https://www.como.gov/CMS/WebForms/form.php?formid=161 

Hosted STRs - within a home of someone who lives at that home for at least 270 days of each year.  If the owner is not on the premises, they must have a registered agent available 24/7.

Unhosted STRs - rentals that do not have a regular occupant living at that address.  

Residential vs Commercial zoning districts 

Licensing