Cincinnati Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short Term Rental Registration

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Apply online at the City's Short Term Rental website. Application requires unit location/description, operator and responsible-person contact info, a list of hosting platforms used, and certification of compliance with building, zoning, housing, and fire codes; the operator must also be current on STR excise tax and other city tax/utility obligations. The City does not require an on-site inspection to approve the registration. The City has 30 days to approve or deny; approved registrations are valid for 3 years and must be renewed 60-180 days before expiration.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 7% of gross rental income.

Collection: Airbnb has a voluntary withholding agreement with the City and collects/remits the 7% excise tax from the guest on the operator's behalf (effective October 1, 2019). Operators using other hosting platforms without a City agreement must self-report and remit the tax quarterly based on their own gross earnings records.

Filing: Quarterly, due by the last day of the month following the end of the calendar quarter

Rental Limits

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

Zoning & Restrictions

Cincinnati does not ban STRs by zoning district; instead it caps the number of STR units allowed per building citywide: no limit for buildings with 4 or fewer dwelling units, and one additional STR permitted for every 4 dwelling units beyond that (e.g., 24 units in a building = 9 STR registrations allowed). No dwelling unit that receives affordable-housing grants/credits may be registered as an STR.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental, though the required coverage amount is not publicly specified.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Prominently display the STR registration at the entrance inside the unit
• Prominently display a City-prescribed advisory next to the registration, showing the responsible person's contact info, local police/fire contact info, all means of egress from the unit, and a list of behaviors prohibited by city law
• Maintain the unit in accordance with applicable building, zoning, housing, and fire codes

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating a short-term rental without registering it: Class C civil offense, $300 fine on the first day; after notice, each additional day of unregistered operation is a separate Class D civil offense, $750 fine.

Platform Requirements

Hosting platforms listing Cincinnati STRs must report quarterly to the city (number/location of listings, nights rented, tax collected and remitted) and must provide a field for operators to enter their STR registration number.

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Meet safety requirements. Prominently display the STR registration at the entrance inside the unit. Prominently display a City-prescribed advisory next to the registration, showing the responsible person's contact info, local police/fire contact info, all means of egress from the unit, and a list of behaviors prohibited by city law. Maintain the unit in accordance with applicable building, zoning, housing, and fire codes.
2. Obtain liability insurance. Required for property's use as a short-term rental.
3. Apply for Short Term Rental Registration. Submit application + $250 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Cincinnati Department of Finance, Division of Treasury.
5. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
6. Collect and remit taxes. 7% on all bookings.
7. Renew every 3 years. $250 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

A Short Term Rental Registration in Cincinnati costs $250 per year.

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

No. Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?

Short-term rental stays in Cincinnati are subject to a 7% Cincinnati Short Term Rental Excise Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting it.