Cincinnati, OH Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

Proof of liability insurance is one of the seven 'Standard Conditions of Short Term Rental Registration' listed in Section 856-9, the section that governs every unit once it's registered and operating. ' The ordinance doesn't set a flat dollar minimum; instead the city manager's office benchmarks the required coverage against what similar short-term rental properties in Cincinnati typically carry. The section gives operators an easy path to comply without buying a separate commercial policy: 'Insurance provided by hosting platforms may be used to satisfy this requirement,' so coverage that comes bundled with a platform like Airbnb or Vrbo counts toward the mandate as long as it meets the prevailing-rate standard.

Insurance sits alongside the section's other standing conditions, keeping contact information current within seven days of any change, displaying the registration certificate and a safety advisory inside the unit, including the registration number on every listing, staying current on city taxes, and keeping the property in compliance with building, zoning, housing, and fire codes. Failing to maintain any Section 856-9 condition, including insurance, is grounds for the city manager to issue a written notice of violation and, if it isn't corrected within 15 days, to suspend the registration under Section 856-25.