🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Hocking County, OH
Safety First: Hocking County Moves Toward Smarter Oversight of Short-Term Rentals
Hocking Hills at a Crossroads: New Rules Aim to Bring Order to the Cabin Boom
With more cabins popping up deep in the woods and an influx of visitors since 2020, county leaders say safety and accessibility have become real concerns and now they’re pushing for a long-awaited reset.
Regional Planner Audie Wykle says the situation can’t stay the “wild, wild west” much longer. He recalls stories from first responders who couldn’t reach burning cabins or navigate steep, muddy driveways during medical emergencies. Fire trucks stuck on gravel roads, bridges unable to support the weight of emergency vehicles, and owners who can’t be reached when guests break rules, all of these experiences shaped the county’s proposed short-term rental ordinance.
The draft legislation, introduced in September by the Hocking County Zoning Commission, would require rentals outside of Logan to obtain a county permit. With that permit comes several expectations: safe driveway access for emergency vehicles, two exits for every bedroom, compliance with basic safety standards, occupancy limits tied to square footage, and a designated local contact who can physically be on-site within 30 minutes if something goes wrong.
It’s a major change for a county where cabins have been able to operate with almost no oversight. But as Hocking Hills continues to draw national attention and visitor numbers climb, emergency service leaders say the current system leaves too much to chance.
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For local lodging owners, however, the proposed rules feel heavy and potentially costly. Many argue that features like bunk beds and pull-out couches make strict occupancy limits unrealistic. Others worry about the expense of hiring a local representative, especially for owners who live outside the region. Several owners also note that the ordinance doesn’t directly require fire extinguishers or smoke detectors, something they believe should be clarified before moving forward.
Underlying the debate is a growing anxiety in the rental community. As some owners face higher taxes, maturing loans, and softening occupancy rates, there’s concern that new rules could tip the financial balance. Some fear the ordinance may push out smaller local owners, opening the door for large out-of-state investors with deeper pockets.
Meanwhile, a quieter but equally strong sentiment is emerging from residents who feel overwhelmed by rapid tourism growth. Some say that whole neighborhoods have been transformed into Airbnb clusters, pushing up property taxes and shrinking affordable housing options. For families trying to build a future in the county, the surge in cabin development has created real barriers.
County leaders say they’re still fine-tuning the ordinance and are open to adjustments like potential grandfathering for existing rentals. But their goal remains clear: find a balance between protecting a vital tourism economy and ensuring Hocking County remains livable, safe, and sustainable for everyone who calls it home.
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