Short-Term Rental Laws in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus permits STRs broadly with a Short-Term Rental Permit ($75/year), Hotel/Motel Excise Tax registration, and life-safety inspection. The 2020 ordinance distinguishes Owner-Occupied from Non-Owner-Occupied STRs without imposing a citywide cap or zoning-class ban. Most STR activity concentrates in Short North, German Village, Downtown, Brewery District, University District (OSU area), and Clintonville. OSU football-weekend rental demand drives a substantial supply spike which the city's permit framework has not capped.

Columbus permits STR in most residential, mixed-use, and commercial zones. The Department of Building & Zoning Services + Columbus Income Tax Division administer the permit + tax program. The German Village + Short North historic overlays add Historic Preservation review for exterior changes. The neighboring municipalities of Bexley, Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, Worthington, Westerville, Dublin are separate jurisdictions — generally more restrictive than Columbus proper. Confirm parcel's municipal jurisdiction before any offer.

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

Columbus Building & Zoning Services + Income Tax Division administer enforcement. Annual STR permit ($75) + Columbus Hotel/Motel Excise Tax (5.1%) filed monthly + Franklin County Convention Facility Tax (5%) filed monthly with the Franklin County Treasurer. Operating without a permit: civil fines + back-tax + stop-rental. Enforcement is active and platform-data cross-referenced. The OSU football-weekend supply spike is permitted (no special-event cap) but noise + occupancy enforcement intensifies during those weekends.

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

Ohio State sales tax 5.75% + Franklin County local sales 1.25% + Columbus Hotel/Motel Excise Tax 5.1% + Franklin County Convention Facility Tax 5% — combined ~17.5% on transient lodging

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