Since 2016, there has been an influx in short-term rentals across the city. To ensure that our clients and the general public are informed on the rules and regulations of the imposed housing codes, we put together important details regarding the steps needed to be taken in order to operate a short-term rental in the city of Cleveland. The details listed below come directly from the City of Cleveland's Department of Building and Housing codes and ordinances under Title IX: Housing Codes.

Chapter 371 - Rental Dwelling Standards 

Under the current codes and ordinances, an owner, operator or agent shall not rent, lease or offer for rental or lease for residential occupancy any dwelling units, dwelling structures or any part of a dwelling unit or dwelling structure that does not comply with the standards for residential occupancy (371.01).

In the case of short-term rentals, any units that are intended to be used as a short-term rental property for more than 91 days per calendar year require a Rental Unit Registration form and must obtain a rental permit in order to operate (365.02). The ordinance requires that each particular dwelling unit must be provided as limited lodging for no more than 91 days a year. Additionally, the titled-owner or tenant must use a dwelling unit for residential household living purposes more than 51% of the year.

An owner of a residential rental unit or units located in the City shall register each unit with the Department of Building and Housing in a rental registry which is established by the Director (365.02).

Key Take-a-Ways

1. A property dwelling cannot be purchased with the sole-intent of being rented out as a short-term rental. 

Example: An investor buys a building with 2 apartments, they rent one on a long term basis (over 30 days) and the other one they use as a full time (more than 91 days per year) short term rental on airbnb.  The owner does not live in the building.

2. Property dwellings that are being rented out as short-term rentals (30 days or less) must be owner-occupied for 51% of the year. 

3. Rental properties (short-term rentals included) must comply with the city of Cleveland's Department of Building and House standards and regulations. 

If these code standards are not upheld, the Commissioner of Housing is hereby authorized to make or cause to be made inspections of all structures or premises used for dwelling purposes to determine whether such structures or premises conform to the provisions of this Housing Code, and to the provisions of the Zoning Code (367.02).

Housing Codes: Purpose (361.02)

Within the scope of this Housing Code as hereinafter defined, the purpose of this Code is to establish minimum standards necessary to make all dwelling structures safe, sanitary, free from fire and health hazards and fit for human habitation and beneficial to the public welfare; establish minimum standards governing maintenance of dwelling structures in safe and sanitary condition; fix responsibilities for owners and occupants of dwelling structures with respect to sanitation, repair and maintenance; establish additional standards for rented or leased dwellings and rooming occupancies; authorize the inspection of dwelling structures; establish enforcement procedures; authorize the vacation or condemnation of dwelling structures unsafe or unfit for human habitation; and fix penalties for violations.

To view a more comprehensive, complete list of codes and ordinances according to the City of Cleveland's Depart of Building and Housing, visit their website by clicking here.