Short-term rental permit rules in Franklin County, OH — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Franklin County does not directly license short-term rentals. Most STRs are in Columbus, which requires a short-term rental permit under Columbus City Code 4117. Dublin, Westerville, Upper Arlington, and other suburbs have individual STR rules ranging from outright bans to registration. Unincorporated Franklin County areas have minimal STR regulation but must comply with county zoning and lodging tax collection.
Columbus requires STR operators to obtain a permit from Department of Building and Zoning Services, pay annual fee (around 75 dollars), designate local contact, carry 300,000 dollars liability insurance, and post permit number in all listings. Permits are issued for owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied properties with different rules. Dublin prohibits STRs under 30 days in residential zones. Bexley requires host occupancy. Franklin County Auditor collects 5 percent lodging tax countywide regardless of municipality, plus Columbus city bed tax of 5.1 percent in city limits.
Columbus unpermitted STR: 500 dollars per day, permit denial or revocation. Dublin STR violations: up to 1,000 dollars per day. County lodging tax noncompliance: back taxes plus 10 percent penalty and interest.
Franklin County, OH
Barking-dog complaints in unincorporated Franklin County are handled under ORC 955.11 (nuisance dog) and ORC 2917.11. The Franklin County Animal Shelter and ...
Franklin County, OH
Franklin County encourages EV charging station installation. Columbus operates over 100 public charging stations through Smart Columbus initiative. Residenti...
Franklin County, OH
Franklin County overnight parking rules vary by jurisdiction. Columbus allows on-street overnight parking except during snow emergencies and permit zones. Su...
Franklin County, OH
Franklin County unincorporated areas follow Ohio Revised Code §4511.66 for street parking. Columbus City Code §2151 governs parking in the city and limits co...
Franklin County, OH
Franklin County prohibits commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR from parking in residential zones overnight per Columbus Code §2151.09. ORC §4511.681 regu...
Franklin County, OH
Franklin County driveways require permits from Franklin County Engineer for county road access or from municipal engineering for city streets. Columbus Code ...
See how Franklin County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.