Franklin County requires short-term rental operators to register with the County Auditor for lodging tax collection but does not issue a separate county STR license. Columbus requires annual STR permit registration through Department of Building and Zoning Services. Other Franklin County municipalities (Dublin, Westerville, Bexley, Upper Arlington) have varying registration requirements tied to their zoning codes.
County Auditor registration requires filing an Ohio IT-1 form and monthly or quarterly lodging tax returns. Columbus STR permits renew annually, require updated insurance certificate and local contact, and must be posted in the rental unit and all listings. New STR listings on Airbnb and Vrbo prompt automated notices asking for permit number in some Franklin County jurisdictions. Registration information becomes public record.
Operating without County Auditor registration for lodging tax: back taxes, 10 percent penalty, interest, possible prosecution under ORC 5739.99. Columbus unregistered STR: 500 dollars per day, listings may be flagged and removed.
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Franklin County, OH
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