Cincinnati does not limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence; investor-owned and non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed, but each unit must be individually registered under the city's STR program.
Unlike many large cities, Cincinnati's short-term rental ordinance under CMC Chapter 763 does not impose a primary-residence-only restriction. An owner can register multiple non-owner-occupied STRs across the city, subject to zoning under Chapter 1400. Each rental unit is licensed separately, must collect and remit the city's hotel and lodging excise taxes, and must comply with building and housing code standards. Council periodically considers tightening rules (caps, density limits, or owner-occupancy requirements), but as of the current code, investor-owned STRs remain legal where zoning permits transient lodging.
Operating an unregistered investor-owned STR, or stacking multiple unregistered units under one owner, exposes the operator to per-unit fines, back-tax assessment, and orders to cease transient rental activity.
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati requires all short-term rental operators to register with the city before listing or operating under CMC Chapter 856. Registration costs $250 per ...
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati levies a 7% excise tax on gross STR revenue (not a guest occupancy tax). Revenue funds the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Airbnb and VRBO typicall...
See how Cincinnati's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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