Cleveland, Ohio Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Cleveland 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

Short Term Rentals are allowed in the city on a limited basis.  Additionally, the Cleveland Zoning Code applies to every area of the city. For any of these establishments (residential or nonresidential), you would need to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Building and Housing. You should consult the Zoning Code to see if your listing is consistent with zoning requirements or use definitions.

Business License Requirements

All businesses in Ohio must register with the Ohio Secretary of state and have a valid business license.

Building and Housing Standards

Cleveland 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 Division of Code Enforcement for more information.

Tourist and Local Taxes

Cleveland imposes a 3% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on operators of hotels that provide accommodations to guests for periods of fewer than thirty consecutive days.

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 Cleveland website for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    7.0
  • Competition

    5.2
  • Real Estate Cost

    9.0
  • STR Regulations

    8.0
  • Seasonality

    7.8
  • Rental Rates

    5.2

Cleveland, 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
372,624
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Cuyahoga
Airports
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL)
Review our Cleveland Ohio short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Cleveland?

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 Cleveland rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Cleveland rental market.

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Cleveland 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 Cleveland guests.

Interested in other Ohio cities?

Check out the Ohio short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Cleveland a great place to invest?

  • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Music enthusiasts, rejoice! The iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an unforgettable experience, chronicling the history of rock music through interactive exhibits, iconic artifacts, and exclusive live performances.
  • Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: This world-class zoo, spread over 183 acres, is home to more than 3,000 animals representing 600 species. Discover its immersive exhibits, such as the African Elephant Crossing and the RainForest, where you'll be captivated by lush habitats and diverse wildlife.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art: Immerse yourself in a rich cultural experience at this internationally renowned museum, which houses over 61,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years. Admission is free, so you can explore the vast collection of masterpieces at your leisure.
  • West Side Market: Indulge your taste buds at this historic public market, offering a delightful assortment of fresh produce, artisan cheeses, ethnic cuisine, and mouthwatering baked goods. Established in 1912, it's a true culinary paradise that you won't want to miss.
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Lace up your hiking boots and venture into this breathtaking 33,000-acre park, offering over 125 miles of trails, stunning waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna. Canoe down the Cuyahoga River or hop on the scenic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a memorable journey through the park.
  • Sports Galore: Cheer on Cleveland's passionate sports teams, including the Cleveland Guardians (MLB), the Cleveland Browns (NFL), and the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA). Regardless of the season, you'll find an electrifying game to attend and join the city's fervent fanbase.

Cleveland Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Cleveland?

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 Cleveland has increased 8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $149, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$236,520

8% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$149

10% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,432

4% YoY

Property Descriptions

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

Word Cloud for Cleveland, Ohio Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Cleveland 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 Cleveland has a description approximately 1,368 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 2,364 listings in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, Downtown, Place, Downtown Cleveland, Spacious, Family, Perfect, Walking, Car, and Comfortable.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Cleveland?

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 Cleveland involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Cycling, the Zoo, and the Marina. 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

Cycling

Zoo

Marina

Casinos

Beach

Adventure Activities

Boating

Outlet Shopping

Hiking

Health Spa

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Cleveland, including Cleveland Clinic, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field, FirstEnergy Stadium, and Case Western Reserve University. 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

Cleveland Clinic

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Progressive Field

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

FirstEnergy Stadium

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Case Western Reserve University

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

JACK Cleveland Casino

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Cleveland Museum of Art

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

University Hospitals of Cleveland

Included on nearly all listings

What’s the weather like in Cleveland, Ohio?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 59°, while the average low is about 46°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 27 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 11 inches per year. The humidity levels in Cleveland are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

26° Low 37° High

Precipitation
4.1"
Snowfall
8.1"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
67%

Spring

March through May

43° Low 57° High

Precipitation
6.8"
Snowfall
2.9"
Muggy Days
1.6 days
Cloudiness
54%

Summer

June through August

66° Low 79° High

Precipitation
8.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
32.4 days
Cloudiness
39%

Fall

September through November

49° Low 62° High

Precipitation
7.7"
Snowfall
0.3"
Muggy Days
5.3 days
Cloudiness
44%