Lakewood, OH Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Lakewood, OH, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- LCO 783(b)-(d)
- Permit Term
- 1 year
- Issuing Office
- Lakewood Building Department
- Zoning Status
- Conditional use (LCO 1161.03(cc))
Summary
Lakewood's short-term rental ordinance requires a Short Term Rental Permit from the Building Department before any unit may be rented for 30 days or less, and in residential districts an STR is only allowed as a conditional use on an owner's primary residence.
(a) "Short Term Rentals" is hereby defined as any rental unit that is not classified as a motel or hotel use and is rented for a period of 30 days or less. (b) No person shall operate a Short Term Rental in the City of Lakewood without first obtaining a Short Term Rental Permit issued by the Lakewood Building Department. (c) The application for a Short Term Rental Permit shall include: 1. Proof of ownership from the property owner; 2. Contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7; 3. Certification of compliance with all applicable building, health, and fire codes; 4. Payment of an annual permit fee as established by Council. (d) Permits shall be valid for one year and may be revoked or not renewed for violations of City ordinances or failure to comply with permit conditions.
Full Breakdown
Under Lakewood Codified Ordinances Section 783, enacted by Ordinance 23-2025, a 'Short Term Rental' is any rental unit not classified as a motel or hotel that is rented for 30 days or less. No person may operate one without first obtaining a Short Term Rental Permit issued by the Lakewood Building Department. The application must include proof of ownership, contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, certification of compliance with all applicable building, health, and fire codes, and payment of an annual permit fee set by Council. Permits are valid for one year and may be revoked or not renewed for ordinance violations. Section 1161.03(cc) additionally treats STRs in R2 Residential, Single and Two Family, or residential Multifamily (ML/MH) districts as a conditional use requiring Planning Commission approval, and limits operation to the primary residence of the owner or an authorized long-term tenant.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid permit, or violating permit conditions, may result in fines, permit revocation, or both, under the City's enforcement procedures (LCO 783(d) and (f)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to host on Airbnb in Lakewood?
Can I run a short-term rental at a property that isn't my home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
How Lakewood compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Lakewood to another location·View the Ohio short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cuyahoga County handle short-term rental permits.