Rental Properties

Landlords must register rental properties in the unincorporated area of Richland County. In addition, a business license is required if you own more than one rental property or rent any property short-term (under 30 days) like an Airbnb or VRBO. Short-term property rentals are also required to collect and pay Local Accommodation Taxes (3% of gross income).

Rental Categories and Requirements

Single Unit

When you own and rent only one residential rental unit for 30 consecutive days or more ...

Step 1.Before You Begin

Information needed within the registry includes:

  • Owner(s) mailing address
  • Owner(s) phone number
  • Owner(s) email address
  • Rental Property Address

Note: When the owner lives more than 50 miles from the rental property, include the authorized agent information instead of owner information.

Step 2.Register your rental property

Etrakit Web Portal

Multiple Units

When you own and rent more than one residential rental unit for 30 consecutive days or more ...

Step 1.Business License Required

Property Owners who rent more than one residential rental unit within unincorporated Richland County are required to obtain a business license from the Business Service Center.

New Business License Application

Step 2.Submit Rental Properties

Residential Rental Property Registration(PDF, 112KB)

Short-term (Airbnb Type)

When you own and rent out residential property or rooms for short stays less than 30 consecutive days (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) ...

Step 1.Determine your Short-Term Rental category

Hosted Short-Term Rental: The property is your primary address and you live on site while renting it out.

Unhosted Short-Term Rental: The property is not your primary address and you do not live there.

Step 2.Obtain a Business License

Visit 2020 Hampton St., Suite 1050, Columbia, SC 29204 to complete the necessary forms and be directed to Zoning for approval.

Once approved, your forms will be processed, and your business license tax amount calculated.

  • The business license tax is calculated based off your gross annual revenue.
  • The business license expires every April 30th and needs to be renewed before the deadline in order to avoid penalties.

Starting a Business

If you are unable to physically come into the office due to special circumstances, please use the contact form below for assistance.

Step 3.Register for Local Accommodations Taxes

Collection and remittance of the Local Accommodation Tax (3% on the gross income from all rentals of accommodations within the unincorporated area of Richland County) is the responsibility of the business.

Richland County Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Click here to view form.

Business Service Center

Phone

803-576-2287

Email

Business Service Center

Location

2020 Hampton St.
First Floor, Ste. 1050
Columbia, SC 29204

Mailing Address

Business Service Center
P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29202

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Report Unlicensed Business

To anonymously report an unlicensed business, contact the Ombudsman.

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