Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder and City Planner Kevin McCarthy spoke with Main Street Maury to clarify the nature of existing city regulations regarding short-term rentals. Last week, city officials notified the owners of some short-term rental properties that such use of their properties was not permitted under existing laws. The notice caused an uproar online among the owners of those properties and throughout the community.

City officials say there may be a widespread misconception that the city is taking action based on new laws.

“Right now, the same regulations that have been in place since July 2022 apply,” McCarthy said, adding that the laws are now being consistently enforced. “The previous building code did not allow zoned rentals. The current building code allows them in some locations, provided they are subject to restricted use standards.”

Short-term vacation rentals are permitted in “mixed-use character neighborhoods,” but not in “character neighborhoods” or neighborhoods zoned for single-family occupancy (outlined in green on this map).

The recent enforcement of the law, which regulates vacation rentals booked through popular apps like Airbnb and VRBO, appears to stem from incidents in recent years where partying vacationers were reported to be disrupting the neighborhoods in which they were staying.

The law the city is relying on is Building Code 4400, adopted in July 2022. The relevant section on pages 255-6 of the ordinance requires that the owner must be the primary occupant of a short-term rental property in a single-family zone. Therefore, under current city law, no property in a single-family zone may be devoted exclusively or primarily to vacation rentals. The law also defines a short-term rental “unit” as any room or building used for that purpose (page 257), not entire properties (258).

However, none of these regulations are set in stone and the City of Columbia is asking the public for input on the laws.

“We are currently in the process of re-evaluating the STR regulations,” McCarthy explained. “The upcoming community forum is part of that process.”

He added that a planned public forum on vacation rentals, to be held at City Hall on October 23 at 5 p.m., could lead to the legalization of these rentals in areas where they are currently banned.

Mayor Molder expressed optimism about the outcome of the upcoming forum. When the food trucks came to Columbia, a discussion with the community resulted in legislation that he said was pleasing to all involved.

“We held public forums on the issue. We heard from interested parties. And we ultimately passed a regulatory update that, in our experience, works quite well,” Molder said. “That was government at its best.”

Molder said the original law was designed to preserve the famous charm of Columbia’s residential neighborhoods, but that doesn’t automatically rule out vacation rentals. The problem is statewide and will arise whether or not local governments act on it.

“Cities across the country are grappling with the dynamics, if not dilemmas, created by short-term rentals. We are not alone in this regard,” he said. “But perhaps we are the only ones … working to find common ground and solutions to this dilemma.”

The notice sent to a property owner on Facebook triggered mixed reactions.

“I honestly don’t see what’s so bad about this. There really aren’t any viable hotel options in Columbia,” commented one resident.

“This only hurts us little people and gives the developers a complete monopoly, like everything else here,” complained one property owner. “Is someone pushing for a hotel? Is there any evidence of incentives for the city or county? Follow the money. We’ll find out what’s going on.”

“If this means locals can get affordable housing again, that’s great. Where we live, the rental market is a nightmare because of them,” said a non-local visiting Columbia. “I feel sorry for the people who are losing their essential income.”

“I urge every local business owner to take care of this and attend the meeting,” said original drafter Suzanne Roberts, who received the original notice to stop renting her three-family home in the Riverside neighborhood. “If you are a local short-term rental landlord and would like to join forces on this issue, please contact me.”

Main Street Maury will publish a second article on the broader discourse surrounding short-term rentals in Maury County. We welcome input from anyone who is affected or has informed opinions on the topic.