Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Cincinnati, OH

Airbnb listings are allowed in Cincinnati, OH, but with restrictions. STRs are residential units rented for fewer than 30 days. Registration is required prior to operation, with building caps applied: no limit for buildings with 4 or fewer units, and one additional STR allowed for every 4 additional units. Operators must post the registration number and a Short Term Rental Advisory in the unit and maintain records for 3 years. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are residential units rented for fewer than 30 days. Registration is required prior to operation, with building caps applied: no limit for buildings with 4 or fewer units, and one additional STR allowed for every 4 additional units. Operators must post the registration number and a Short Term Rental Advisory in the unit and maintain records for 3 years.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Cincinnati. 1. Submit an online application via the City's OpenCounter portal including unit details and operator contact info. 2. Pay the $250 registration fee at the time of application. 3. Upon approval (within 30 days), print and display the permit and advisory in the unit. Registration must be renewed every 3 years.

1. Submit an online application via the City's OpenCounter portal including unit details and operator contact info. 2. Pay the $250 registration fee at the time of application. 3. Upon approval (within 30 days), print and display the permit and advisory in the unit. Registration must be renewed every 3 years.

Vrbo is permitted in Cincinnati, OH under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Cincinnati are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

The most recent tracked change in Cincinnati is "Cincinnati Rental Dwelling License for STRs" (2022-11-01, status: passed). City requires annual rental dwelling license for all STRs; safety inspection, egress compliance, smoke/CO detector requirements, and basic habitability standards must be met. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.

An annual city rental dwelling license with safety inspection (egress compliance, smoke/CO detectors, habitability standards) plus Hamilton County tourism tax registration and monthly remittance. License must be displayed in the property.

Ohio state sales tax (5.75%) and Hamilton County tourism tax apply. Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation and Hamilton County. Airbnb and VRBO may collect and remit state and local taxes on your behalf — verify your platform tax arrangement.

Possibly. Ohio HB 329 proposes a statewide STR licensing framework that could supplement or modify city-level requirements. If enacted, Cincinnati operators may need to comply with both city and state licensing. Monitor the Ohio General Assembly for updates.