Short-Term Rentals (STR)

 A Short-Term Rental (STR) means the use and occupancy of a dwelling or dwelling unit located within a residential district or any part thereof in exchange for a rental fee, for a period of less than 30 consecutive days.

Where can I find the STR Ordinance?

The STR Ordinance 2020-08 is located here.

What are acceptable conditions that allow an STR?

1. In a single-family home the property owner must live and reside in the home while renting a room(s) to the guest(s). 

2. In a multi-family home one unit must permanently live and reside in the unit while managing the other unit as an STR.

How can I apply for an STR?

The process for approval of an STR is through the Planning Commission. The applicant must submit an application for the Planning Commission. There is a pre application meeting required, the PC Schedule & Submission Matrix 2023 provides the deadlines for each month. After the pre application meeting has been completed and all documents required have been complied, the applicant needs to submit the PC application and $100 application fee to the Building & Zoning Department, 1260 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43222. The applicant is required to properly notify the surrounding parcels per the Planning Commission application. Upon the hearing, the Planning Commission members will vote on the case for approval or denial. 

Once the Planning Commission has approved your PC Case, you must apply through City Squared. An online help file on "How to Apply for a STR" is available. Once your application is approved, you will be sent a permit and a need to schedule a team inspection with the Building Inspector and Electrical Inspector. Upon passing the team inspection, you may move forward with renting your STR.

What Documents are required for a Planning Commission Application?

For each dwelling or dwelling unit intended to be used as a STR, the applicant shall provide:

1. One form of proof of identity of each occupant as defined in Section 1133.02 (131) of each dwelling or dwelling unit intended to be used as a short-term rental. If a short-term rental host is not the property owner but a lessee or permanent occupant of the dwelling, the short-term rental host shall obtain permission from the owner of the dwelling to register the dwelling with the City and on any hosting platform for use as a short-term rental. 

2. Complete mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of each occupant, for each dwelling or dwelling unit being registered.

3. A description of the number of short-term rental guest rooms or spaces offered for rent and the stated maximum number of occupants permitted in the rental.

4. A listing of all online platforms on which the property is being offered.

5. Confirmation that each dwelling or dwelling unit being offered for rent is insured for not less than $300,000.00, that each room offered as a sleeping space is equipped with a smoke detection system, and that the dwelling contains at least one readily accessible fire extinguisher per level.

6. Confirmation that each room offered for rent for sleeping purposes meets Building Code requirements regarding ingress and egress.

7. Short-term rentals shall be subject to no less than the number of parking spaces required for two-family, three-family, or four-family dwellings located in the residential district in which the subject dwelling is located. 

Can an STR be denied?

The Director shall deny any application for registration or renewal if any of the following are shown to have occurred at the short-term rental property:

1. The applicant makes a material misrepresentation of fact on the application. 

2. The applicant has engaged in a pattern of conduct or been convicted of violating state laws or City ordinances regarding building, zoning, and fire safety codes; nuisance laws; controlled substances laws; solicitation, prostitution, and human trafficking; or the obligation to remit tax returns and pay taxes to the City of Grandview Heights.

3. Calls for Service have exceeded the City ratio during consecutive 12-month period. 

4. The short-term rental has a documented history or repeated conduct that endangers neighborhood safety and well-being. 

How long is an STR registration good for?

The STR Registration is good for 12 months.

How can I renew my STR registration?

When your STR status is coming to expiration, you must apply through City Squared. An online help file on "How to Apply for a STR" is available. Once your application is approved, you will be sent a permit and a need to schedule a team inspection with the Building Inspector and Electrical Inspector. Upon passing the team inspection, you may move forward with renting your STR.