What are the key requirements for Akron hosts?

Owner MUST be an Akron resident.

What are the key requirements for Akron hosts?

Responsible contact person must be able to respond within 45 minutes of a complaint.

Are there rental limits in Akron?

Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 4 additional people.

What are the permit fees in Akron?

A $250 annual fee is required regardless of property size.

Akron, OH Short-Term Rental Regulation Guide

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 6, 2026

Summary

Akron requires short-term rental operators to register annually, pay a $250 fee, and ensure the owner is a resident of the city.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 76 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Standard permit fee: $250
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

If you want to host an Airbnb or VRBO in Akron, you must live in the city and register your property with the Housing Division every year. You'll need to pay a $250 fee, provide proof of $1 million in liability insurance, and follow strict occupancy rules of no more than two adults per bedroom plus four extra guests.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$250

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Akron requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Must be host's residence in the City of Akron; specifically residing 51%+ of the year.
•Akron prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, Trailers, Temporary Housing.
•Akron allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Multi-family, Condo, Residential Dwelling Unit.

Requirements(12)

•Akron: Hosts must report their rental activity null to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
•Akron requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. General liability insurance in the amount of at least one million dollars is required per Akron Code Art. 37.
•Akron: Responsible contact person must be able to respond within 45 minutes of a complaint.

Application Process(7)

•Akron STR permit - Step 2: Prepare Property Documentation. Gather proof of ownership, a basic floor plan showing exits and smoke detectors, and a parking diagram. Required documents: Property Deed, Floor Plan, Parking Diagram. Time: 1-2 days.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Akron: A $250 annual fee is required regardless of property size.
•Akron charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Akron charges a Excise Tax on Lodging of 0.055%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb remits the 5.5% Summit County tax which serves the Akron lodging tax requirement.
•Ohio has a state sales tax of 0.0575% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Akron limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 adults per sleeping room plus 4 additional persons
•Akron enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Akron: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 adults per bedroom plus 4 additional people.
•Akron occupancy calculation: 2 adults per sleeping room plus 4 additional persons. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Akron requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating exits, Affidavit of Life Safety Compliance, Responsible person must respond within 45 minutes.

Penalties(3)

•Akron enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 fine or progressive citations. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Potential permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
•Akron: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Akron exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Akron: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Ohio Markets

Cincinnati

Ohio

Moderate

The City of Cincinnati requires all short-term rental operators to register annually and pay a $75 fee. The city imposes a 7% total tax (4% city excise + 3% county lodging tax) on stays under 30 days, which is typically collected by major platforms.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Athens

Ohio

Moderate

Athens requires short-term rental operators to obtain an annual rental permit from the Office of Code Enforcement and pay a 3% city transient guest tax.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Dayton

Ohio

Permissive

Dayton does not currently have specific short-term rental regulations or a dedicated permit system, though the city is actively monitoring the market for future legislation.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Brooklyn

Ohio

Permissive

The City of Brooklyn, Ohio, does not currently have a dedicated ordinance governing short-term rentals (STRs). While STRs are unregulated at the municipal level, hosts must still comply with general building codes, noise ordinances, and municipal income tax requirements.

Akron

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Ohio Markets

Cincinnati

Athens

Dayton

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Akron

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Akron?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Akron?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in Akron?

4What are the occupancy limits for rentals in Akron?

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