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Lorain County, OH Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Lorain County, OH, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Who regulates
Your city, not the county
Lorain requirement
Housing License + Conditional Use Permit
Governing chapter
Lorain Cod. Ord. Chapter 1537
Enacted
Ord. 257-23, Dec. 18, 2023
Unincorporated land
ORC 303 / 519 zoning

Summary

Lorain County does not zone incorporated cities, so short-term-rental permits are set by your city. In the City of Lorain, an STR operator must hold a rental Housing License AND obtain a Conditional Use Permit before renting.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lorain County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Applicants obtaining a license for a short-term rental shall obtain a Conditional Use Permit as set forth in Part Eleven of the City of Lorain Codified Ordinances.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025-01: Local legislation current through September 2, 2025 | State legislation current through June 5, 2025).

Full Breakdown

Rules come from your municipality, not the county. Lorain (Ord. 257-23, passed 12-18-23) folds short-term rentals into its Rental Dwelling Housing License Code, Chapter 1537, which 'shall apply to all rental dwelling units, including... short-term rental(s).' A Housing License application is filed with the Building, Housing and Planning Department, and STR applicants must additionally obtain a Conditional Use Permit under Part Eleven (the zoning code) plus proof of insurance. Elyria and other Lorain County cities regulate rentals under their own codes. For unincorporated townships, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 303/519 governs county and township zoning.

Violations & Fines

Lorain: first-degree misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and/or six months jail; each day of violation is a separate offense (Cod. Ord. 1537.99).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lorain County issue STR permits?
No. The county zones only unincorporated townships. STR permits are issued by your city, such as Lorain or Elyria, under its own codified ordinances.
What does Lorain require?
A rental Housing License plus a Conditional Use Permit under the zoning code, along with proof of property insurance, before operating a short-term rental.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lorain County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsHost Presence RuleSome RestrictionsInsurance RequirementsSome RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsNight CapsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Lorain County rules

How Lorain County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Lorain County to another location·View the Ohio short-term rentals overview

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