Columbus, OH Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Columbus distinguishes long-term and short-term ADU rentals. Long-term: Rentals of 30 days or longer require only the standard rental property registration under Title 47 (no STR permit). The owner files a Certificate of Occupancy form with the Department of Building and Zoning Services attesting to the ADU's habitability and registers as a rental property with Code Enforcement. Ohio Revised Code Ch. 5321 (Landlord-Tenant Act) governs the lease. Short-term: Columbus City Code Chapter 599 requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for any dwelling rented for under 30 days. Two permit categories exist: an STR Permit for the owner's primary residence (less restrictive) and an STR-IO Permit for an investor-owned property (limited to certain districts and capped citywide). For an ADU, which is by definition accessory to a principal dwelling, the STR permit category depends on whether the owner lives on-site. Permit applications require a designated 24-hour responsible party, parking plan, occupancy limit, and proof of liability insurance ($1M). Taxes: 5.1% Columbus hotel/motel excise tax (Chapter 371) plus 5% Franklin County lodging tax must be collected and remitted. Hosting platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) sometimes collect these on behalf of hosts; the host remains responsible.