Short-Term Rental Laws in Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati permits STRs in most zoning districts with a Short-Term Rental Registration + city Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration. The 2020 ordinance imposed registration, inspection, life-safety standards, and operator-responsibility requirements without a zoning-class ban or citywide cap. Owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs are both permitted; non-owner-occupied face slightly stricter parking + occupancy verification. Most STR activity concentrates in Over-the-Rhine, Mount Adams, Hyde Park, Northside, and the Downtown core.

Cincinnati permits STR in most residential, mixed-use, and commercial zones. The Department of Buildings & Inspections + Cincinnati Income Tax Division (which administers the TOT) jointly administer the program. The Over-the-Rhine + Mount Adams historic overlays add Historic Conservation Board review for exterior changes. The neighboring municipalities of Norwood, Newport (KY!), Covington (KY!), Mariemont, Cheviot are separate jurisdictions with their own rules — Newport and Covington are across the Ohio River in Kentucky and operate under entirely different state law. Confirm jurisdiction before any offer.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Cincinnati Buildings & Inspections + Income Tax Division administer enforcement. Annual STR registration + Transient Occupancy Tax (7%) filed monthly with the Cincinnati Income Tax Division + Hamilton County Convention Facility Tax (3.5%) filed monthly with the Hamilton County Treasurer. Operating without registration: civil fines + back-tax + stop-rental. Enforcement is moderate, complaint-driven, with periodic platform-data cross-checks. The combined ~17.5% effective lodging tax rate is at the high end of Ohio markets.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Cincinnati is approximately 17.500% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Ohio State sales tax 5.75% + Hamilton County local sales 1.25% + Cincinnati Transient Occupancy Tax 7% + Hamilton County Convention Facility Tax 3.5% — combined ~17.5% on transient lodging

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.