Columbia’s city council is scheduled to vote tonight on two bills involving short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo, and they’ll also hear a presentation about the old COLT railroad.
The council is set to vote on a bill that would require short-term rentals to have insurance and a business license. City officials note that staff from various departments are involved in the business license application process and that it ensures fire safety and health regulations are being followed. The other bills integrates bed and breakfast establishments and short-term rentals into the definition of hotels or motels for the purposes of taxation. Under the bill, short term rentals would be required to pay an accommodations tax of five percent of the gross daily rental receipts due from or paid by any transient guests.
Columbia’s city council dating back to prior mayors and prior city managers has been working to develop land use regulations to govern short-term rentals since 2018.
Columbia’s city council will also hear a presentation about the COLT railroad from resident Tanner Ott tonight. He will call on the city to convert a section of the COLT railroad into a community-focused greenway park and trail. The COLT railroad is owned by the city and is operated by Columbia Utilities. COLT Railroad and Transload provide a multitude of shipping services.
Tonight’s council meeting begins at 7 at city hall.
