How to get a short-term rental permit in Columbus, OH (2026)
Columbus requires Short-Term Rental Permit — the fee is $75, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Permit |
| Permit fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. No STR-specific zoning districts or overlays: short-term rentals are licensed citywide in any dwelling, but only dwellings with five (5) or fewer guestrooms qualify (larger operations are regulated as hotels/motels). The city instructs applicants to confirm their zoning location on the official Zoning Map before applying, and hosts must comply with the general Zoning Code (Title 33), Housing Code (Title 45, including Ch. 4541 sleeping-area occupancy limits), Building Code, and Fire Prevention Code. If the host is a tenant or the property is under a lease/management agreement, the owner's written consent to STR use is required.
- 2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit
Submit the Short-Term Rental Permit application to Columbus and pay the $75 fee. $75.00/year for a primary residence; $150.00/year for a non-primary residence; plus an initial $20 application fee and a $32-per-individual BCI fingerprint background check (required for the applicant, host, 24-hour emergency contact, and property manager at application and each renewal). A Letter of Good Standing from the Columbus Division of Taxation is also required at application.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Columbus. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Columbus changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Columbus for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
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Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Columbus before applying.