Taxes & Fees: Columbus vs Grove City
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Columbus, OH and Grove City, OH?
Grove City has fewer restrictions than Columbus.
Columbus, OH
Franklin County
Columbus levies a 5.1% hotel/motel/short-term rental excise tax under Chapter 371 of the Columbus City Codes. Hosts also pay Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority lodging tax (4.9% within Columbus) plus 7.5% combined Ohio/Franklin County sales tax. Permit fees are $75/year (primary residence) or $150/year (non-primary), plus a $20 application fee and $32 BCI background check.
View full Columbus rules →Grove City, OH
Franklin County
Grove City STR operators pay the Franklin County 5.9 percent hotel/motel lodging tax. Ohio has no state-level lodging tax. Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect the county tax for most Franklin County listings.
View full Grove City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Grove City |
|---|---|---|
| City Excise Tax | 5.1% (CC §371.02) | - |
| County Lodging Tax | 4.9% (Franklin Co.) | - |
| State + County Sales Tax | 7.5% | - |
| Annual Permit Fee | $75 or $150 | - |
| Application + BCI | $20 + $32 | - |
| County Tax | - | 5.9 percent Franklin County |
| State Tax | - | 0 percent (Ohio) |
| City Tax | - | None in Grove City |
| Exemption | - | 30+ day stays |
| Platforms | - | Auto-collect county tax |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Columbus FAQ
Do I still owe the 5.1% tax if Airbnb collects it?
Generally no separate remittance is required when Airbnb or Vrbo collects and remits the Columbus 5.1% excise tax on your behalf, but you must keep records and confirm collection. Direct bookings outside marketplace platforms still require monthly filing on the 20th through the CRISP portal.
What is the total tax burden on a Columbus STR booking?
Roughly 17.5% combined: 5.1% Columbus excise tax under Chapter 371, 4.9% Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority lodging tax inside Columbus, plus 7.5% Ohio and Franklin County sales tax. Marketplace platforms typically itemize these on the guest receipt.
Grove City FAQ
What taxes do I owe on short-term rental income in Grove City?
STR operators in Grove City must collect and remit Franklin County 4% occupancy tax and Ohio/Franklin County combined 7.5% sales tax. No city-specific lodging excise tax. Total tax burden approximately 11.5%.
How much is the short-term rental license fee in Grove City?
County Occupancy Tax: 4% (Franklin County CFA). Sales Tax: 7.5% OH + Franklin County. City Tax: None. Total Approx.: ~11.5% combined.
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