Short-Term Rental Laws in Put-in-Bay, Ohio

Put-in-Bay (the Village of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island in western Lake Erie) is a heavily seasonal, tourist-dependent STR market with very light regulation. STR is permitted by right in most residential and commercial zones with a Village business license + Ottawa County Lodging Excise Tax registration. The seasonal nature (Memorial Day → Labor Day operating season) means many properties operate on a short summer-only schedule. Put-in-Bay Township (the unincorporated surrounding area on the island) operates under similar Ottawa County rules.

Put-in-Bay Village has minimal zoning restrictions on STR; most island residential and commercial parcels permit STR by right. The village's small footprint (under 200 year-round residents, ballooning to thousands in summer) means enforcement is concentrated on noise + occupancy + Lake Erie shoreline safety. Ferry-only access (Miller Boat Line + Jet Express) is a logistical constraint for property managers and emergency responders. Note: ordinance dates here are NULL pending primary-source confirmation — Put-in-Bay village ordinances are not extensively published online.

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

Put-in-Bay Village administers business licensing; Ottawa County Auditor administers the Lodging Excise Tax (5%) — quarterly filings. Annual village business license required. Application typically requires designated 24/7 local responsible-party contact (on-island or mainland), proof of property insurance, life-safety self-certification, and parking plan (island parking is constrained). Operating without registration: back-tax + civil penalties. Summer-season enforcement (noise, occupancy, boating-related complaints) is the dominant enforcement vector. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office handles serious complaints via ferry-deployed deputies.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Put-in-Bay is approximately 12.500% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Ohio State sales tax 5.75% + Ottawa County local sales 1.5% + Ottawa County Lodging Excise Tax 5% — combined ~12.5% on transient lodging

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