Columbus requires every short-term rental operator to obtain an annual short-term rental permit before listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar platforms. The program is administered by the Department of Public Safety's License Section and enforced through Columbus City Code Chapter 599.
Columbus adopted a formal short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 599) that took effect after City Council action. Every operator - whether hosting a single bedroom, a whole-home rental, or a two-unit duplex - must apply for and receive a permit before advertising or accepting bookings. The permit is issued to a specific property and a named operator; it is not transferable.
Required items for the application include a valid government ID, proof of property ownership or written authorization from the owner, a designated local contact available 24/7 who can respond to complaints within a set number of minutes, proof of liability insurance, lodging tax registration with the city Treasurer, and a signed acknowledgment of the city's operational standards. Homestead-exempt (primary residence) versus non-homestead rentals may be subject to different caps and standards under the chapter.
Operating without a valid permit is a civil violation with escalating fines per day, and the city has authority to order listings removed. Renewal is annual and requires certification that the unit remains code-compliant.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Columbus code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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