Cincinnati, Ohio Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Cincinnati Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

Cincinnati allows short-term rentals. Review the Ordinance for more details. Ordinance  No. 0125-2019.

Business License Requirements

All operators must register their short-term rentals with the city

Building and Housing Standards

Cincinnati has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing.  Consult the Relevant Codes for more information 

Tourist and Local Taxes

All operators of short-term rentals shall pay or their hosting platform on which their short-term rental is rented to pay on their behalf the short-term rental excise tax established in Chapter 315 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code. Hosting platforms shall ensure that the short-term rental excise tax is withheld and paid.

Other Rules

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Cincinnati website for more information 
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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.3
  • Competition

    3.7
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.4
  • STR Regulations

    8.0
  • Seasonality

    7.1
  • Rental Rates

    4.4

Cincinnati, Ohio Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
309,317
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Hamilton
Airports
Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport (LUK)
Cincinnati - Blue Ash (OH5)
Review our Cincinnati Ohio short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Cincinnati?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Cincinnati rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Cincinnati rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Cincinnati.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Cincinnati Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Cincinnati guests.

Interested in other Ohio cities?

Check out the Ohio Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Cincinnati a great place to invest?

  • World-class attractions: Visit the renowned Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, home to more than 500 animal species and 3,000 plant varieties. Don't miss the Newport Aquarium, where you can explore an underwater world teeming with fascinating marine life.
  • Iconic architecture: Marvel at the city's historic architecture, including the impressive John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Music Hall, and Union Terminal. Stroll through Over-the-Rhine, one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States, and soak up the 19th-century German-inspired charm.
  • Thrilling sports scene: Cheer on the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park or the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Soccer fans won't want to miss the electric atmosphere of a FC Cincinnati match at the state-of-the-art TQL Stadium.
  • Outdoor adventures: Unwind in the picturesque Eden Park, or explore the extensive trails of Mount Airy Forest. For a breathtaking view of the city, head to Devou Park in nearby Covington, Kentucky. Adventure seekers will love the thrilling ziplines and canopy tours at Ozone Zipline Adventures.
  • Diverse culinary delights: Indulge in Cincinnati's unique culinary heritage by trying the famous Cincinnati-style chili at Skyline Chili or Gold Star Chili. Enjoy an upscale dining experience at the renowned Orchids at Palm Court or savor scrumptious street food at the historic Findlay Market.
  • Rich cultural experiences: Immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene by visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, or Taft Museum of Art. Catch a world-class performance at the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, or Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and let your imagination run wild at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Cincinnati Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Cincinnati?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Cincinnati has increased 5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $202, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$286,251

5% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$202

8% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,411

5% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Cincinnati, Ohio

Word Cloud for Cincinnati, Ohio Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Cincinnati short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Cincinnati has a description approximately 1,447 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 2,818 listings in Cincinnati, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Cincinnati, Downtown, Bar, Place, City, Comfortable, Downtown Cincinnati, Spacious, Walking, and Perfect.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Cincinnati?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Cincinnati involve going to the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, Casinos, and Theme Parks. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

City Centre

Museums

Zoo

Casinos

Theme Parks

Cycling

Hiking

Water Parks

Health Spa

Adventure Activities

Antiquing

Boating

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Cincinnati, including Great American Ball Park, Paycor Stadium, University of Cincinnati, Newport Aquarium, and Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

University of Cincinnati

Included on 70% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Xavier University

Included on 70% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Paycor Stadium

Included on 70% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Newport Aquarium

Included on 70% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Newport on the Levee

Included on 70% of listings

Regional Landmark

Duke Energy Convention Center

Included on 70% of listings

Regional Landmark

TQL Stadium

Included on 68% of listings

Regional Landmark

Taft Theatre

Included on 66% of listings

Regional Landmark

Northern Kentucky University

Included on 66% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Included on 65% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Great American Ball Park

Included on 65% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Riverbend Music Center

Included on 65% of listings

What’s the weather like in Cincinnati, Ohio?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 64°, while the average low is about 46°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 35 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 10 inches per year. The humidity levels in Cincinnati are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

27° Low 43° High

Precipitation
6.9"
Snowfall
8.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
59%

Spring

March through May

45° Low 65° High

Precipitation
10.8"
Snowfall
1.3"
Muggy Days
3.5 days
Cloudiness
51%

Summer

June through August

65° Low 84° High

Precipitation
9.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
46.0 days
Cloudiness
39%

Fall

September through November

47° Low 66° High

Precipitation
8.0"
Snowfall
0.3"
Muggy Days
7.9 days
Cloudiness
41%