Hocking Hills Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Hocking Hills does not require a specific STR permit at this time. Check with local government for any zoning or business license requirements.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 13.25% of gross rental income.

Collection: The operator (vendor) collects the tax from the transient guest at the time of the transaction and remits it monthly to the Hocking County Lodging Tax Administrator; the county's 3% portion is paid to the County Treasurer, while the matching 3% township portion must be calculated on the same return but remitted separately and directly to the applicable township (the county does not forward the township's share).

Filing: Monthly

Rental Limits

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

Zoning & Restrictions

Hocking Hills cabins are almost entirely located in unincorporated Hocking County / townships (Falls, Green, Laurel, etc.), not within the City of Logan. Hocking County currently has NO adopted zoning/land-use permit specifically for short-term rentals: STRs (cabins, cottages, vacation homes) are allowed county-wide, subject only to mandatory Lodging Excise Tax registration, which the County's own Code of Regulations explicitly states 'does not constitute a permit.' A comprehensive draft County STR Ordinance (dated January 29, 2026) — which would require an annual $50 permit, mandatory site inspection, $1,000,000 liability insurance, a BCI background check, County Health Department compliance, driveway/parking/landscaping/safety standards, and a 1-year compliance grace period after any effective date — was recommended by the Hocking County Zoning Commission to the Board of County Commissioners on Feb 12, 2026, but had not been confirmed adopted as of the most recent available secondary sources (mid-Feb 2026). This draft ordinance is NOT yet in force. Separately, the City of Logan (the county seat) has its own STR permit ordinance under its municipal code (ch. 157.163), but this applies only within Logan city limits, which most Hocking Hills cabins fall outside of.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Hocking Hills 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.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• 10% of tax due for late filing (return/payment postmarked after the last day of the month)
• up to 25% per annum of tax due if the return is filed more than 30 days late
• statutory interest also accrues under ORC 5703.47

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Hocking County Lodging Tax Office (Lodging Tax Administrator).
2. Collect and remit taxes. 13.25% on all bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Hocking Hills?

Hocking Hills does not require a dedicated short-term rental permit, but you must still register for and remit applicable lodging taxes. Confirm local zoning rules still allow short-term rentals at your property before listing.

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

No. Hocking Hills does not impose a primary-residence requirement, so non-owner-occupied rentals are allowed.

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

Hocking Hills 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 Hocking Hills?

Short-term rental stays in Hocking Hills are subject to a combined 13.25% in lodging taxes. This combines 7.25% Ohio State & Hocking County Sales Tax (combined) + 3% Hocking County Lodging Excise Tax + 3% Local Township Lodging Excise Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.