🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Cleveland, OH
New Rules, New Balance — Cleveland Looks to Rein In Short-Term Rentals
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
New Rules, New Balance — Cleveland Looks to Rein In Short-Term Rentals
After a July 2024 house party spiraled out of control—200 teens, police calls, and patio diners forced inside—Cleveland leaders are making a move to stop short-term rentals from disrupting entire neighborhoods.
At this week’s Development, Planning & Sustainability Committee meeting, City Council reviewed a comprehensive set of new regulations aimed at reigning in STRs across the city. The proposal would require every host to get licensed, set occupancy limits, and introduce firm rules to curb unruly behavior.
Cleveland, OH Rental Regulations Guide 2025
If approved, every short-term rental—whether listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, or elsewhere—will need to meet a long checklist: safety measures, insurance coverage, tax documentation, and occupancy plans. Hosts would pay a $150 fee and include their new license number in every listing.
The goal? Stop STRs from turning into party hubs and ensure they integrate into neighborhoods more like long-term rentals. Noise, trash, and safety complaints have surged, especially in residential areas like West Park and Shaker Square.
City Councilman Kerry McCormack said Cleveland’s existing STR laws, last revised in 2016, are “completely unenforceable.” The proposed updates aim to fix that by providing both legal teeth and practical tools for enforcement.
Among the standout provisions:
- A maximum of two guests per bedroom
- Full compliance with fire safety and occupancy codes
- A 15% cap on STRs per block—with limited ability to seek variances
- A permanent ban on “excessive or unnecessary noise” at all hours
Legal advisor Rachel Scalish said it’s time the city finally has a formal system to identify, track, and regulate STRs which now number between 900 and 1,500 on any given day.
Councilmember Jenny Spencer summed up the neighborhood sentiment:
“We want real neighbors, not revolving doors.”
With many STR hosts raking in $3,800 per month—well above what a long-term tenant would pay—there’s mounting concern that investor-owned rentals are eroding community bonds.
The full council has not yet scheduled a vote on the legislation, but momentum is building. With support from residents and multiple councilmembers, Cleveland may soon shift from STR-friendly to STR-accountable.
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