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

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

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

Key Facts

Permit issued by
Building Commissioner
Application fee
Set by § 185.04(f)(1)
Permit term
Issuance date through Dec 31
Renewal
Annual, before year end
First offense penalty
$250 fine / 30 days
Repeat offense penalty
$500 fine / 60 days
Annual inspection fee
Set by § 185.04(f)(3)

Summary

Parma requires a permit from the Building Commissioner before anyone operates a short-term rental in the city, under Codified Ordinances Section 1729.02(a). Hosts apply on approved forms for the fee set under Section 185.04(f)(1), and a new permit runs through December 31 of the year issued before requiring annual renewal.

(a) No person, including but not limited to an owner, permanent occupant operator, manager or employee shall engage in, conduct, or carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any dwelling in the City of Parma the operation of a short-term rental without obtaining a permit in accordance with this chapter. It shall be prima facie evidence of a short-term rental operation if a short-term rental guest is found to be occupying or using a short-term rental. (b) An application for a new permit may be submitted at any time to the Commissioner. If the application is approved and a permit is issued, the permit shall take effect on the day of issuance, and shall expire on December 31 of the year in which it was issued.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-30: Local legislation current to August 3, 2026 | State legislation current to June 25, 2025).

Full Breakdown

02(a) makes it unlawful for any owner, permanent occupant, operator, manager or employee to engage in, conduct or carry on the operation of a short-term rental in Parma without first obtaining a permit under Chapter 1729. The ordinance treats a paying guest occupying the unit as prima facie evidence of an unpermitted short-term rental operation, so the city does not need to catch money changing hands to cite a host. 04(f)(1) of the Administrative Code; a new permit takes effect the day it issues and expires automatically on December 31 of that same year regardless of when in the year it was granted. 02(c), and a lapsed permit simply expires on December 31, requiring the host to reapply. 03(e). 03(d). 03(f).

Violations & Fines

Operating without a valid permit under Section 1729.02(a) is a fourth-degree misdemeanor carrying up to a $250 fine and 30 days in jail for a first offense, rising to a third-degree misdemeanor with up to $500 and 60 days for repeat violations under Section 1729.99(a); all revenue collected in violation must be forfeited to the City of Parma. Failing to display the permit as required by Section 1729.11 is a minor misdemeanor under Section 1729.99(b).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Parma?
Yes. Section 1729.02(a) makes it illegal to operate a short-term rental in the City of Parma, including through Airbnb or another hosting platform, without a permit from the Building Commissioner. A guest found occupying the unit is treated as prima facie proof of an unpermitted operation, so the city does not have to trace payment to issue a citation.
How long does a Parma short-term rental permit last?
A new permit takes effect on the day it's issued and automatically expires on December 31 of that same year no matter when it was granted. Renewal must be completed before the calendar year ends under Section 1729.02(c), and once renewed the permit covers the full following January-to-December year.
What happens if I operate without a permit?
A first offense is a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a fine up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail. Repeat violations escalate to a third-degree misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 and up to 60 days, and Section 1729.99(a) requires any revenue collected from the illegal rental to be forfeited to the City of Parma.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Parma

All Parma rules

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

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