Short-Term Rentals in Lorain County, OH (2026)

7 rules for unincorporated Lorain County, Ohio.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Lorain County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Lorain County does not zone incorporated cities, so short-term-rental permits are set by your city. In the City of Lorain, an STR operator must hold a rental Housing License AND obtain a Conditional Use Permit before renting.

Short-Term Rental Permits in Lorain County, Ohio

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 1537.06(e)

Applicants obtaining a license for a short-term rental shall obtain a Conditional Use Permit as set forth in Part Eleven of the City of Lorain Codified Ordinances.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

The City of Lorain levies a 3% transient guest (lodging) tax on short-term rentals, collected from guests and remitted quarterly. Lorain's rental Housing License fee is $100 for a single-family unit, plus $25 per additional unit.

Lodging Tax and Fees on Lorain County Rentals

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 195.02

There shall be levied an excise tax on transactions by which lodging by a hotel, bed and breakfast or short-term rental is or is to be furnished to transient guests of three percent (3%) of the amount paid or to be paid by the transient guests for the lodging...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Lorain County sets no STR headcount limit for incorporated cities. Lorain's code caps a 'transient guest' stay at 29 days and defines 'family' so that a group of four or more unrelated people cannot occupy a dwelling as one household.

How Many Guests a Short-Term Rental May Host

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 1537.05(h)

FAMILY: One (1) or more persons occupying a dwelling unit, living as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit; provided, a group of four (4) or more persons who are not within the second degree of kinship shall not constitute a family.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Lorain County imposes no STR insurance rule, but the City of Lorain does: an applicant for a short-term-rental Housing License must submit proof of property insurance as part of the application.

Insurance Required for Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 1537.06(a)(1)(E)

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, applicants obtaining a license for a short-term rental must also provide the following: 1. Proof of property insurance

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Lorain County sets no annual cap on rental nights. Lorain's code limits each short-term stay to 29 days per guest but places no ceiling on how many nights per year a property may be rented.

Are There Limits on Rental Nights?

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 195.03(e)

"Transient guests" means persons occupying a room or rooms for sleeping accommodations for pay periods not-to-exceed 29 days.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Lorain County has no host-presence rule. The City of Lorain does not require an on-site host, but it does require a designated agent who resides in the City and can accept notices and handle problems.

Must a Host or Local Contact Be Available?

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 1537.09

A designated agent shall be an individual person who resides in the City of Lorain, shall provide a valid address within the City and promptly notify the Chief Building Official of any change in address or other change in status.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

No. Lorain County imposes no owner-occupancy rule, and the City of Lorain expressly allows non-resident owners to run rentals, provided they name a designated local agent responsible for the property.

Do You Have to Live in Your Short-Term Rental?

Some Restrictions

Lorain Cod. Ord. 1537.09

The owner of a rental dwelling unit who does not reside in the City of Lorain shall designate an agent who in addition to the owner shall be responsible for operation of the Rental Dwelling Unit and who may accept service of process and official notices issued by the City of Lorain on behalf of the owner.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Lorain County ordinances

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