Cleveland Proposes Updates to Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cleveland City Council is considering an emergency ordinance to modify existing rules for short-term rentals, aiming to streamline how these properties are licensed and managed throughout the city. Introduced as File No. 1282-2026, the measure seeks to update Ordinance No. 561-2026, which previously established a regulatory framework for temporary rentals such as those found on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo Northern Ohio Short-Term Rental Association.
What's in the file
The proposed legislation, introduced by Council Members Santana and Griffin, would amend the city's short-term rental (STR) code to improve administrative efficiency and clarify requirements for owners. According to the 1282-2026 Legislative Summary, the changes include:
- Requiring a Certificate Approving Rental Occupancy before applying for an STR license, which is intended to eliminate duplicative IT processes.
- Limiting the Certificate of Occupancy requirement to commercial units to avoid placing an undue burden on owners of 1-3 family homes.
- Removing the separate lead safe certification requirement, as this is already covered under the rental occupancy process.
- Removing the exception for STRs from the certificate of rental registration.
- Streamlining civil penalties to make them easier for the city to administer.
- Changing how rental density is calculated on a city block, moving from a percentage-based assessment to a square footage buffer to prevent STRs from clustering in a single area.
The 1282-2026-Amend 516-2016 short term rentals document notes that the purpose of these regulations is to establish health and safety standards while ensuring rentals do not negatively impact residential character through excessive noise, traffic, or density. To obtain a license, applicants must provide several items, including:
- A dimensioned floor plan showing maximum guests, bedrooms, and emergency routes.
- A parking plan identifying available spaces.
- Proof of liability insurance with limits of at least $500,000.00.
- Designation of a local contact who can respond to complaints and arrive at the premises within one hour.
Who may be affected
- Short-term rental owners and operators: Required to meet new licensing, insurance, and local contact standards.
- Department of Building and Housing: Tasked with administering the updated licensing and enforcement processes.
- Residential neighborhoods: Impacted by changes to how rental density is calculated and managed to protect neighborhood character.
Status and timeline
- 2026-06-01: Ordinance No. 561-2026 was passed, establishing the initial regulatory structure for short-term rentals.
- 2026-10-15: Ordinance No. 1282-2026 was introduced and received its first reading.
Residents can verify all details regarding these proposed changes by reviewing the official records at the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 1282-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- First Reading
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- October 14, 2026