Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation updates the current Columbus City Code for Chapter 598 to include regulations for Short-Term Rentals. Due to industry growth and the rise in popularity of this mode of accommodation, as well as growing concerns and interest of community members, regulation was deemed reasonable and necessary.
The City’s goal with the legislation is to balance the well-being and interests of City residents and visitors while allowing short-term rentals to operate and become a piece of the economic and tourism fabric in Columbus. Research and a nationwide scan of policies in other cities informed the legislation, as well as numerous meetings with impacted stakeholders such as residents and community members, the hosting platforms, short-term rental hosts, hotel/motel representatives, the tourism industry, and realtors.
After two public hearings with high attendance and over 50 constituent testimonies, policy approaches were discussed and the current proposed legislation emerged as the best current course for the City of Columbus. Another public hearing is planned for this legislation given some policy changes from the original draft.
Section 598.02(A)(2) related to prohibiting the operation of a short-term rental without a permit would not go into effect until January 1, 2019. Sections 598.15 and 598.16 related to penalties for short-term rentals and hosting platforms would not go into effect until March 1, 2019.
Given the rapid growth and dynamic nature of short-term rentals, a thorough review and assessment of the current regulations for short-term rentals will occur 2 years from the January 1, 2019 implementation date.
Title
To amend Chapter 598 of the Columbus City Code in order to establish regulations for short-term rental operations and hosting platforms.
Body
See attached