Youngstown, OH Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- License requirement
- Required before renting any unit
- Initial inspection window
- Scheduled within 30 days of application
- License term
- One year from issuance
- Re-inspection fee
- $40.00
- Missed appointment fee
- $25.00 first, $100.00 second
- Unlicensed rental penalty
- $100.00 per week
Summary
In the City of Youngstown, Ohio, every rental unit needs a license, and the Code Official schedules an initial inspection within 30 days of application, followed by a paid re-inspection if violations are found and cancellation fees for missed appointments.
(f) Inspection. ... Within 30 days of the receipt of a rental application and required fee, the Code Official or his or her designee will attempt to schedule an inspection of the rental unit. If the owner and occupant, if applicable, consent to the inspection, the owner shall make the property available for inspection at a time agreeable to the owner and Code Official. If the owner and/or occupant, if applicable, refuse to allow an inspection of the property, the Code Official or his or her designee shall seek to secure an administrative warrant. ... Upon the expiration of the thirty (30) days, the Code Official or his or her designee shall schedule a re-inspection of the rental unit. A fee of $40.00 shall be imposed for this re-inspection. Should an owner schedule an appointment with the Code Official or his or her designee and seek to cancel said appointment, but fail to do so by 8:00 a.m. the day of the inspection, the Code Official shall impose a penalty of $25.00 against the owner. If this occurs a second time, the Code Official shall impose a fine of $100.00 against the owner.
Full Breakdown
Youngstown Codified Ordinances Section 546.11(c) requires any person, corporation, business entity or property owner seeking to rent or let a rental unit to first obtain a valid rental license, except owners of public housing or units already subject to annual federal inspections. Under Section 546.11(e), applying for a license triggers a provisional rental license valid up to one year that allows occupancy pending inspection. Section 546.11(f) requires the Code Official to attempt scheduling an inspection within 30 days of receiving the application and fee; if the owner and occupant consent, the property is inspected at an agreeable time, and if they refuse, the Code Official seeks an administrative warrant.
A compliant unit receives a one-year rental license; a noncompliant unit receives a notice of the specific violations with 30 days to correct them, after which the Code Official schedules a re-inspection carrying a $40.00 fee. If an owner schedules an inspection appointment and fails to cancel by 8:00 a.m. the day of the inspection, Section 546.11(f) imposes a $25.00 penalty, rising to $100.00 for a second missed cancellation. Section 546.11(g) makes it a violation to rent or let a unit without a valid rental or provisional license, and occupancy by someone other than the titled owner, combined with the owner listing a different address with the Mahoning County Auditor, is prima facie evidence the unit is a rental.
Section 546.11(h) sets a penalty of $100.00 per week for each week an unlicensed unit is rented, on top of the general Section 546.98 criminal penalties.
Violations & Fines
Renting or letting a unit without a valid rental or provisional license draws a $100.00 penalty for each week of the violation under Section 546.11(h), plus exposure to the Section 546.98 criminal misdemeanor penalties of up to $500 and 60 days in jail. Missed inspection appointments cost $25.00 for a first missed cancellation and $100.00 for a second, and a failed initial inspection triggers a $40.00 re-inspection fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Youngstown
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