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Is Airbnb legal in Cleveland, Ohio?

New license law takes effect late November 2026. Cleveland City Council passed Ordinance 561-2026 on June 1, 2026, creating Chapter 686B with a strict 10% per-block density cap. It takes effect around late November 2026 and requires a $150 annual license, $500,000 in liability insurance, and a local contact who can reach the property within an hour.

Showing the researched rules for Cleveland, OH below. Type your Cleveland address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

New license law takes effect late November 2026

Cleveland City Council passed Ordinance 561-2026 on June 1, 2026, creating Chapter 686B with a strict 10% per-block density cap. It takes effect around late November 2026 and requires a $150 annual license, $500,000 in liability insurance, and a local contact who can reach the property within an hour.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental License
Issued by
City of Cleveland
Cost
$150 / year (first year prorated)
Renewal
Annual; license year runs December 1 to November 30, renewals filed September 1 to November 1

Key limits

Density cap
STRs are limited to at least one, or no more than 10% of the residential units on a block or in a multi-unit building; exceeding it needs a Board of Zoning Appeals variance.
Insurance
$500,000 in liability insurance is required.
Local contact
A designated local contact must be able to arrive at the property within one hour of a complaint.
Nuisance rules
Three nuisance incidents in 12 months revoke the license, and unlicensed operation carries up to a $5,000 civil penalty.

Taxes

County bed tax
6.5% Cuyahoga County bed tax, collected by Airbnb automatically
City lodging tax
City transient occupancy taxes apply per the new ordinance; confirm current remittance rules with the city

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Check the block cap
    Confirm the block or building is under the 10% STR density cap before applying.
  2. 2
    Apply with insurance
    File for the license with proof of $500,000 in liability insurance and a designated local contact.
  3. 3
    Keep it compliant
    Track nuisance complaints carefully, since three in a year cost you the license.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
Condo and HOA rules can ban STRs independently of the city license, so check the governing documents.
Rule changes
Ohio has active state preemption bills that could strip municipal STR authority, so the local rules may change.

Sources

Cleveland STR guide (2026) · Cleveland 10% density cap coverage

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.