Several news sources are reporting that the City of Columbia, South Carolina, is considering imposing restrictions on short-term rentals such as those promoted by the online site Airbnb.
WLTX News 19 quoted City Councilman Howard Duvall last week: “To me, a non-owner-occupied residence that’s being rented out for less than 30 days is a hotel, and it needs to be in a commercial area.” Duvall told WLTX that he believes short-term rentals have a bad impact on neighborhoods because renters often come in for a few days for an event and they party, with loud music, in the middle of a residential area.
In a story on July 4, the Post and Courier reported that about 600 rentals are offered in Columbia neighborhoods, and some neighborhood representatives have complained of disruptions.
This report includes a statement that Duvall along with Councilmen Sam Davis and Will Brennan have drafted an ordinance for the Council to consider on July 20. Multiple opportunities for public input are planned.
Both stories report resistance to the idea. WLTX quoted the owner of a real estate business who said short-term rentals have become a part of life and a part of travel because millions of people like it and expect it when they come to a city.
The Post and Courier quoted Columbia Chamber of Commerce CEO Carl Blackstone who said some regulations of short-term rentals could be welcome, but an outright ban is a nonstarter in a time when we are trying to open back up from a pandemic. Blackstone said we need to be opening our arms and welcoming visitors anyway we can.
Other cities have imposed restrictions on short-term rentals. Duvall mentioned Asheville, Raleigh, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, Charleston, Beaufort and Summerville in his discussions with the Post and Courier.
In Charleston, he said, short-term rentals can only be operated as a part of the owner’s primary residence, with a maximum of four guests. Myrtle Beach doesn’t allow short-term rentals in some residential areas. Some cities have restricted special events and large gatherings.
What do you think? Should short-term residential rentals be routine in our neighborhoods or should we impose restrictions?
Let's Talk Dirt 
Should be regulated privately via restrictive covenants, not by the government (like most things).
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Great point!
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Isn’t this what ordinances governing actions and not real property rights are for (e.g. Noise Ordinances)? At most, regarding real property, wouldn’t private suits for nuisance against individuals who rent out to partiers be more direct for balancing individual’s right to convey (rent) and other’s right to quiet enjoyment? I’m no expert in SC nuisance law but I’d bet there’re generations of common law dealing with noisy neighbors.
Also, leave it to the guy named Blackstone to stick to property rights as they exist but leave room for incremental improvement. That guy should write a book.
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Yes, excellent point.
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