Akron Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Annual registration application to the Department of Neighborhood Assistance (Housing Division) requires owner/operator/responsible-person contact information, a list of hosting platforms, certificates of tax and utility compliance, evidence of compliance with the general rental registry (Housing Code Sec. 150.30), a self-certified Affidavit of Life Safety Compliance, proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance, a basic site plan showing sleeping-room count, and a $250 non-refundable application fee. No on-site inspection is specified in the ordinance. Registrations are valid 1 calendar year and must be renewed 60-180 days before expiration.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 3% of gross rental income.

Collection: The operator pays the excise tax directly, or causes the hosting platform on which the rental is listed to collect and pay it on the operator's behalf; the Tax Commissioner may also enter into a direct agreement with a hosting platform to collect and remit the tax.

Filing: Quarterly, due by the last day of the month following the close of each calendar quarter (hosting platform returns); the Tax Commissioner may set shorter reporting periods.

Rental Limits

Akron does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

2 occupants per sleeping room

Zoning & Restrictions

Article 37 does not create a separate STR-specific zoning restriction; short-term rentals must still comply with the City's existing Zoning Code (Ch. 153) and Housing Code, the same as any other residential use.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Operators must maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Smoke alarms meeting the requirements of Housing Code Section 150.08
• Carbon monoxide detector within fifteen feet of each sleeping room
• Fire extinguisher meeting the requirements of Housing Code Section 150.08

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• First offense: administrative fine up to $100
• Second offense: administrative fine up to $500
• Third and subsequent offense: administrative fine up to $1,000
• Operating/advertising an unregistered short-term rental: additional $100 per week, up to $4,500 per calendar year
• Criminal misdemeanor of the third degree (up to $500 fine, up to 60 days imprisonment) with mandatory minimum fines of $50-$500 depending on prior violations
• Registration certificate may be revoked for repeat violations or a public-health/safety risk

Platform Requirements

• Hosting platforms used to list the property must be disclosed in the operator's registration application, and the registration certificate number must appear on all advertisements/listings
• A hosting platform may register with the Tax Commissioner to collect and remit the short-term rental excise tax on the operator's behalf.

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Akron from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.

Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Akron:

1. Meet safety requirements. Smoke alarms meeting the requirements of Housing Code Section 150.08. Carbon monoxide detector within fifteen feet of each sleeping room. Fire extinguisher meeting the requirements of Housing Code Section 150.08.
2. Obtain liability insurance. $1,000,000 minimum.
3. Apply for Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate. Submit application + $250 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Akron Tax Commissioner.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 3% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $250 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Akron?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Akron requires a Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Akron?

A Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate in Akron costs $250 per year.

Does Akron require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Akron allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Akron?

Akron does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Akron?

Short-term rental stays in Akron are subject to a 3% Akron Short-Term Rental Excise Tax. Hosts are legally responsible; many booking platforms collect and remit it automatically on the host's behalf.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Akron?

Penalties run up to $1,000 (see the Penalties section for the full schedule).