Akron, Ohio

Short-term rentals are legal in Akron under Article 37 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, effective January 2023. Every STR, defined as a rental of fewer than 30 consecutive days, must obtain a yearly Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate from the city’s Department of Neighborhood Assistance, Housing Division, at a cost of $250 per year, renewed annually with renewal generally due by January 31.

A key restriction is residency based rather than occupancy based: the property owner must reside within the City of Akron, though not necessarily at the rental unit itself, meaning non-owner-occupied investment STRs are permitted as long as the owner is a city resident. There is no primary residence requirement tied to the rental unit specifically. Maximum occupancy is capped at 2 adults per bedroom plus 4 additional persons, and large events or parties require a separate special event permit.

Operators must collect and remit a 5.5% short-term rental excise tax under Chapter 104, mirroring the Summit County hotel and lodging excise rate, and hosting platforms may remit this tax on the operator’s behalf. Revenue from the tax is distributed among the City, Summit County, and the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. There is no annual cap on the number of nights a unit can be rented.

Enforcement is rated moderate and is handled by the Housing Division, with violation provisions built into the ordinance. Owners must keep registration information current, updating within 7 days of any change, and remain current on all city tax obligations. No major amendments to Article 37 have been identified since it took effect in January 2023.