The City of Columbia MO Live Stream

The City of Columbia, Missouri, held a work session on August 7, 2026, focused on proposed amendments to the short term rental (STR) ordinance. The discussion centered on simplifying the regulatory framework by consolidating tiers, modifying conditional use permit (CUP) triggers—particularly the 300-foot proximity rule and code violations—and streamlining the licensing process. Staff presented data on STR applications, licenses, ownership types, geographic distribution, enforcement efforts, and revenue from lodging taxes. Enforcement updates included the use of a vendor for identifying unlicensed STRs and a new 24/7 complaint hotline. Council members debated issues such as the impact of STRs on affordable housing, owner-occupancy distinctions, neighborhood notification procedures, and the effectiveness of the 300-foot spacing rule. While there was support for some amendments, concerns remained about neighborhood impacts and notification. The council did not take a formal vote but reached a consensus to delay further action until May or June 2027, allowing time to gather more data from enforcement efforts and the complaint hotline before considering additional amendments or public hearings.