Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lakewood, OH

Airbnb listings are allowed in Lakewood, OH, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (30 days or less) are permitted as a conditional use in R2 and residential multifamily districts (ML/MH), limited to one listing per parcel. The unit must be the owner's primary residence (or a tenant's with permission); occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom plus two; a local responsible party must be available 24/7 to respond within one hour. ADUs cannot be used as STRs as they require a 60-day minimum stay. 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.

Short-term rentals (30 days or less) are permitted as a conditional use in R2 and residential multifamily districts (ML/MH), limited to one listing per parcel. The unit must be the owner's primary residence (or a tenant's with permission); occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom plus two; a local responsible party must be available 24/7 to respond within one hour. ADUs cannot be used as STRs as they require a 60-day minimum stay.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lakewood. 1) Apply to the Lakewood Building Department for a Short Term Rental Permit with proof of ownership, 24/7 local contact info, and certification of code compliance. 2) If in a conditional use zone (R2/ML/MH), obtain conditional use approval via a public hearing. 3) Pay the annual fee and maintain the permit through annual renewals and compliance with inspections.

1) Apply to the Lakewood Building Department for a Short Term Rental Permit with proof of ownership, 24/7 local contact info, and certification of code compliance. 2) If in a conditional use zone (R2/ML/MH), obtain conditional use approval via a public hearing. 3) Pay the annual fee and maintain the permit through annual renewals and compliance with inspections.

Vrbo is permitted in Lakewood, 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 Lakewood 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.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Lakewood. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.