Columbus permits long-term rentals (30+ days) of ADUs without special license beyond the citywide rental registration under Title 47. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated under Columbus City Code Ch. 599 (Short-Term Rentals), requiring an STR permit, primary-residence verification for certain permit types, and payment of the 5.1% Columbus hotel/motel excise tax and the 5% Franklin County lodging excise tax.
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.
Operating an STR without a Ch. 599 permit is a misdemeanor with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day. Failure to register as a rental property under Title 47 carries separate penalties. Unpaid hotel/motel excise tax is recoverable with interest and penalties under Ch. 371.
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