Akron, OH Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Akron City Council adopted Ordinance 291-2022 in November 2022, codified as Title 11, Article 37 (Short-Term Rentals) of the Akron Codified Ordinances. The article became effective in January 2023 and requires every short-term rental operator to obtain an annual registration certificate from the Department of Neighborhood Assistance Housing Division before listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, or any platform. The standard occupancy formula is two adults per bedroom plus four additional persons, mirroring Akron's Environmental Health Housing Code under Title 15, Chapter 150, which sets minimum sleeping-room floor area for residential occupancy. Operators must include bedroom count, maximum occupancy, and a floor plan showing smoke detector and emergency-exit locations on the registration application. Hosting parties or events that exceed the declared occupancy is prohibited and is one of the operational violations enforceable under Article 37. The annual registration fee is $250 and renewal is due by January 31 each year. Akron's separate general residential rental registration under the 1996 ordinance ($25 per unit, $2,500 cap) still applies in addition to the Article 37 STR registration.