Columbus Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Permit (Primary Residence)

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Primary Residence)

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Apply in-person or via drop box at the BZS License Section; requires a fingerprint-based BCI background check (~$32/person) for the applicant, host, 24-hour emergency contact, and property manager, plus a Letter of Good Standing from the Columbus Division of Income Tax. Drop-box applications must be notarized; in-person applications during office hours do not need notarization. No on-site inspection is required to obtain the permit.

Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 13.1% of gross rental income.

Collection: Collected from the guest by the vendor (host) or by the hosting platform on the host's behalf; if the hosting platform collects and remits the full tax amount, the host is relieved of separate remittance for that transaction.

Filing: Monthly, due by the 20th of the month following the reporting month

Rental Limits

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

Occupancy & Density Limits

No fixed guest-count cap; occupancy is governed by Columbus Housing Code sleeping-area requirements (at least 70 sq ft for one occupant, 50 sq ft per additional occupant per sleeping room), and a short-term rental is capped at five (5) or fewer guestrooms.

Zoning & Restrictions

Short-term rentals are regulated citywide primarily through the Chapter 598 licensing/permit system rather than a zoning-district ban; the City does not publish a list of zoning districts where STRs are prohibited, but instructs applicants to confirm their property's zoning classification before applying.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Columbus does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Provide written notice to guests of any known, non-obvious, or concealed condition that may present a danger
• Designate a 24-hour local emergency contact person for the short-term rental
• Disclose any indoor/outdoor surveillance or recording devices to guests; deactivate indoor interception devices if the guest does not consent
• Display the valid short-term rental permit inside the unit so guests can see it

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Operating a hotel/motel without a permit: misdemeanor of the first degree; repeat offense requires no less than 30 days in jail
• Advertising/listing a short-term rental without a valid permit (598.02(A)(2)): unclassified misdemeanor, fine up to $250; repeat offense is a misdemeanor of the third degree; gross revenue from the illegal rental is subject to forfeiture to the City
• Hosting platform facilitating a booking, or a host advertising, without a valid permit number (598.04(F)/(G)): unclassified misdemeanor, fine up to $250 per listing; repeat offense is a misdemeanor of the third degree

Platform Requirements

• Hosting platforms may not facilitate a booking for a dwelling unless the owner or permanent occupant has registered a valid city-issued permit number
• Platforms and hosts must retain booking records (address, registrant name, guest dates/duration/occupancy, nightly rate) for at least 4 years.

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Determine your permit type. Columbus has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Short-Term Rental Permit (Primary Residence), Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Primary Residence)).
2. Meet safety requirements. Provide written notice to guests of any known, non-obvious, or concealed condition that may present a danger. Designate a 24-hour local emergency contact person for the short-term rental. Disclose any indoor/outdoor surveillance or recording devices to guests; deactivate indoor interception devices if the guest does not consent. Display the valid short-term rental permit inside the unit so guests can see it.
3. Apply for your STR permit. Submit application. Fees vary by type: Short-Term Rental Permit (Primary Residence) $75; Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Primary Residence) $150. See permit types above to determine which applies.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Columbus Division of Income Tax.
5. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
6. Collect and remit taxes. 13.1% on all bookings.
7. Renew annually. Renewal fees vary by permit type ($75 / $150). See permit types above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Columbus requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 2 permit types — one requires the property to be your primary residence, and another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.

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

Permit costs in Columbus vary by type: Short-Term Rental Permit (Primary Residence) $75; Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Primary Residence) $150.

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

It depends on the permit type. At least one Columbus permit requires the property to be your primary residence, while another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use — see the permit types above.

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

Columbus 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 Columbus?

Short-term rental stays in Columbus are subject to a combined 13.1% in lodging taxes. This combines 8.00% Ohio Sales & Use Tax (Franklin County combined rate: 5.75% state + 2.25% county/transit) + 5.1% Columbus Hotel/Motel and Short-Term Rental Excise (Lodging) Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.