Columbus Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Permit (Certificate of Occupancy + business license)

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Apply annually to Inspections & Code for a Certificate of Occupancy: submit application, proof of $500,000 liability insurance, digital floor plan, background checks ($20 each via Columbus Police Dept, within 30 days of submission, for owner/applicant/24-7 contact; disqualified by felonies within 10 years or moral-turpitude misdemeanors within 5 years), lease (if applicable), proof of neighbor notification, and Certificate of Occupancy application. City inspects the property before approval. After Certificate of Occupancy approval, obtain a business license from the Business License Office. $40 non-refundable fee per unit; multiple units need separate permits but share one background check.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 17% + $5/night of gross rental income.

Filing: Monthly, due by the 20th of the following month

Rental Limits

Columbus does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

2 occupants per bedroom plus 1 additional occupant per unit

Zoning & Restrictions

No STR-specific zoning district; permits apply citywide to single-family and multi-family dwellings. In designated Historic Districts, non-owner-occupied short-term vacation rentals are capped per district (e.g. Downtown Historic District: 35; Wynnton Village: 27; Waverly Terrace: 16; Wildwood Circle: 11; High Uptown: 15; Weracoba/St. Elmo: 20), issued first-come-first-served with renewal preference for owners in good standing; owner-occupied STRs are not subject to these numeric caps.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Operators must maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Code compliance verification form certifying compliance with zoning, building, health and life safety code provisions (UDO §4.9.2, §4.9.4)
• Window/door sticker provided by Inspections and Code must be posted on the front door for public safety purposes (UDO §4.9.7.D)
• Permit and current business license must be posted within the unit (UDO §4.9.7.A, C)
• No change in exterior appearance or other visible evidence of short-term rental use (UDO §4.9.7.F)
• 24/7 local contact person (short-term rental agent) required, must reside within 50 miles of the unit

Penalties for Non-Compliance

$500 first violation; $750 second violation within 12 months; $1,000 third violation within 12 months. Three code violations on a property within 12 months triggers permit revocation and a 12-month ban on new applications for that property (UDO §4.9.8.B, D).

Platform Requirements

Permit holder must publish the short-term rental permit number in every print, digital, or internet advertisement and property listing in which the short-term rental is advertised.

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Columbus from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.

Reminder: permit availability is constrained in this market (see the caveat near the top of this page) — demand figures do not mean a new permit is obtainable.

Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Columbus:

1. Meet safety requirements. Code compliance verification form certifying compliance with zoning, building, health and life safety code provisions (UDO §4.9.2, §4.9.4). Window/door sticker provided by Inspections and Code must be posted on the front door for public safety purposes (UDO §4.9.7.D). Permit and current business license must be posted within the unit (UDO §4.9.7.A, C). No change in exterior appearance or other visible evidence of short-term rental use (UDO §4.9.7.F). 24/7 local contact person (short-term rental agent) required, must reside within 50 miles of the unit.
2. Obtain liability insurance. $500,000 minimum.
3. Apply for Short-Term Rental Permit (Certificate of Occupancy + business license). Submit application + $40 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Columbus Consolidated Government Department of Finance.
5. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
6. Collect and remit taxes. 17% + $5/night on all bookings.
7. Renew annually. $40 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Columbus?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Columbus requires a Short-Term Rental Permit.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Columbus?

A Short-Term Rental Permit in Columbus costs $40 per year.

Does Columbus require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Columbus allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Columbus?

Columbus does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Columbus?

Short-term rental stays in Columbus are subject to a combined 17% + $5/night in lodging taxes. This combines 9% Muscogee County (Columbus) Combined Sales & Use Tax + 8% Columbus Hotel-Motel Occupancy Excise Tax + $5 per night Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee. Hosts are legally responsible; many booking platforms collect and remit them automatically on the host's behalf.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Columbus?

Penalties run up to $1,000.