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Is Airbnb legal in Columbus, Ohio?

Legal citywide with a permit, investors pay a higher annual fee. Columbus allows short-term rentals citywide, including homes the owner does not live in, under Chapter 598 of the city code. You need the permit before listing: $20 to apply plus $150 a year for a non-primary residence, and the applicant, host, and 24-hour contact each need an annual $32 fingerprint background check.

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

Legal with permit

Legal citywide with a permit, investors pay a higher annual fee

Columbus allows short-term rentals citywide, including homes the owner does not live in, under Chapter 598 of the city code. You need the permit before listing: $20 to apply plus $150 a year for a non-primary residence, and the applicant, host, and 24-hour contact each need an annual $32 fingerprint background check.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental Permit
Issued by
City of Columbus License Section
Cost
$20 application + $150 / year (non-primary residence)
Renewal
Annual; runs one calendar year from issue

Key limits

Background checks
Annual Ohio BCI fingerprint checks at $32 per person are required for the applicant, the host if different, the 24-hour emergency contact, and any property manager.
Occupancy
Maximum three guests per bedroom, and the bedroom count must match the Franklin County Auditor's records.
Local contact
A 24/7 local contact with their residential address on file is required.
Insurance
At least $300,000 in liability coverage is required, and a lapsed policy revokes the permit automatically.

Taxes

STR excise tax
5.1% city short-term rental excise tax, collected from guests and remitted monthly through the CRISP portal by the 20th
State and county lodging tax
Ohio's 5.75% sales tax on lodging and the county lodging tax apply only at five or more guest rooms, so a typical house misses them

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Get checks and good standing
    Obtain the Ohio BCI background checks and a Letter of Good Standing from the city Income Tax Division.
  2. 2
    Submit the application
    File the STR application with the License Section, listing any other STRs you have an interest in.
  3. 3
    Display the number
    Put your registration number on the listing page once the permit is approved.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
HOA and condo rules can ban STRs even with a city permit, so verify the governing documents before buying.
Rule changes
City staff briefed council in 2026 on the licensing program and possible neighbor-notification models, so the rules may evolve.

Sources

City of Columbus 2026 STR application · Columbus STR guide (2026)

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.