Columbia city leaders consider regulations for short-term rentals
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
There are between 300 and 400 short-term rental properties in Columbia, according to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, but there are no regulations for that kind of property.
From Airbnbs, VRBOs and any other kind of short-term rental, city leaders in Columbia have discussed possible regulations since 2018, but progress is slow. Thursday evening, the Planning and Zoning Commission met to continue the discussion.
Commissioner Michael MacMann said the commission is going through potential ordinances with a fine-tooth comb trying to make sure the end product will pass City Council; something the original failed to do in 2020.
"If you wanna address these issues that we just discussed, make it fair, make it even, make it so it's not disruptive, um they need to be regulated in some fashion," MacMann said. "Short-term rentals don't neatly fall in a category."
The commission is still in the discussion phase. A lot of questions were brought up Thursday. How many licenses can one person have? How many licenses will be available? Where in the city will short-term rentals be allowed?
Once the commission has something they all agree on, MacMann said the next step will be public comment.
"People love 'em and want 'em and it's great and grandma and grandpa can rent out your room now that you're gone or something like that, to people who live next to what are essentially party houses," MacMann said.
