Lancaster City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1131

Short Term Rentals

1131.01 ZONING CLEARANCE PERMIT FOR SHORT TERM RENTAL REQUIRED.

(a) No person, corporation, or entity shall engage in, conduct, carry on, or permit to be engaged in, conducted, or carried on, in or upon any premises, the operation of a Short Term Rental, as defined in Section 1161.01 of the Codified Ordinances, without an approved Zoning Clearance Permit in accordance with this Chapter and Section 1155.02 of the Codified Ordinances.

(1) A separate Zoning Clearance Permit application is required for each Short Term Rental operated within the City. However, multiple Zoning Clearance Permit applications need not be submitted if multiple Short Term Rentals are located within the same Short Term Rental Premises.

(2) A copy of the approved Zoning Clearance Permit for the Short Term Rental must be maintained on-site and available for inspection upon request.

(b) A Zoning Clearance Permit to operate a Short Term Rental shall be effective until the thirty first (31st) day of December of the calendar year following the year in which it is issued.

(1) The deadline for applying for a Zoning Clearance Permit renewal shall be the first Monday in November of the year in which the current Zoning Clearance Permit will expire.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-17-25.)

1131.02 APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FEE.

The fee for a new Zoning Clearance Permit application or Zoning Clearance Permit renewal to operate a Short Term Rental shall be established as set forth in the Planning and Zoning fee schedule as determined by the Mayor of Lancaster.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-17-25.)

1131.03 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.

(a) The application for a Zoning Clearance Permit to operate or renew a Short Term Rental as required by this Chapter shall include the following:

(1) The address of the Short Term Rental Premises.

(2) The type of dwelling unit of the Short Term Rental Premises.

(3) The name of the applicant, including contact address, telephone number, and email address.

(4) The name, contact address, telephone number, and email address of the local host, who shall be available at all times for any issues related to the Short Term Rental and/or transient guests and who must be able to respond within one (1) hour of being notified on an on-site emergency.

(5) The maximum number of occupants that will be accommodated at the Short Term Rental Premises, which shall not exceed the Occupancy Permit for the Short Term Rental Premises.

(6) The maximum number of motor vehicles permitted to park at the Short Term Rental Premises. The maximum number of motor vehicles permitted to park at the Short Term Rental Premises shall not exceed the number of vehicles that can be garaged or parked in the driveway of the Short Term Rental Premises. Other vehicles may be parked on public streets where lawful public parking is permitted. Parking spaces may not be required for Short Term Rentals located within the Central Business District, so long as the premises on which the Short Term Rental is located is within one thousand (1,000) feet of sufficient on-street parking spaces or public parking facility. A labeled site plan or aerial photograph that identifies available parking spaces shall be submitted in order to comply with this section.

(7) A simple floor plan with square footage that identifies rooms on all floors and the specific location of bedrooms in a manner that demonstrates compliance with the requirements of this section. A design professional is not required.

(8) A copy of the results from a BCI and FBI background checks are required for the following individuals:

A. The applicant;

B. The local host, if applicable or different than the applicant; and

C. The property manager, if applicable.

1. Background checks carried out within the past twelve (12) months may be submitted.

2. New background checks shall be obtained and submitted when the Zoning Clearance Permit to operate a Short Term Rental is renewed.

(9) Any additional information as deemed necessary by the City Planner or designee to evaluate an application’s compliance with the provisions of the Codified Ordinances or Ohio Revised Code.

(b) The applicant must notify the City Planner, or designee, of any change in information contained in the Zoning Clearance Permit application to renewal within ten (10) days of the change.

(c) Any change in ownership or leasehold of the Short Term Rental premises shall void the current Zoning Clearance Permit and shall require submission and approval of a new Zoning Clearance Permit application.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-17-25.)

1131.04 SHORT TERM RENTAL STANDARDS.

The following standards of operation shall be the minimum requirements for any Short Term Rental within the City:

(a) On-site parking shall only be in designated spaces as identified in the approved site plan.

(b) Overnight occupancy or parking of recreational vehicles, campers, or trailers, at the premises of a Short Term Rental is subject to the requirements in Section 1147.11 of the Codified Ordinances.

(c) No advertising or signage viewable from the exterior shall be permitted at the Short Term Rental Premises regardless of the zoning district.

(d) Security cameras may only be installed on the exterior of the Short Term Rental Premises or in a communal space inside the premises, such as a living room or kitchen. No cameras shall be placed in a bedroom, bathroom, or any other place where an occupant would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Appropriate warnings to tenants or renters regarding the existence of security cameras must be conspicuously posted at the Short Term Rental Premises.

(e) Short Term Rentals shall not house known sex offenders, be rented by the hour, or be used for any sexually oriented business as specified in Section 707.02 of the Codified Ordinances.

(f) Short Term Rentals shall obtain an Occupancy Permit from the City Building Department prior to renting the premises to demonstrate compliance with applicable state and local laws, including those pertaining to fire and building codes, including maintenance of fire extinguishers, smoke-detecting equipment, and carbon monoxide-detecting equipment.

(g) Short Term Rentals shall not adversely affect the character of the surrounding neighborhood in a manner that disturbs the peace as specified in Section 509.08 of the Codified Ordinances.

(h) Short Term Rental premises shall be maintained in a manner that remains free of any Zoning Code, Building Code, or International Property Maintenance Code violations.

(i) Short Term Rentals shall only be rented to individuals eighteen (18) years or older.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-27-25.)

1131.05 GROUNDS FOR DENIAL OF PERMIT.

The City Planner or designee shall approve a Zoning Clearance Permit application or renewal for a Short Term Rental in compliance with this Chapter unless any of the following apply:

(a) The applicant submits an incomplete application or renewal and/or fails to pay the required fee.

(b) The applicant makes a material misrepresentation of fact as determined by the City Planner or designee.

(c) The Short Term Rental or Short Term Rental Premises has pending Zoning Code, Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, or other regulatory violations.

(d) The Short Term Rental or Short Term Rental Premises does not have adequate fire protection or otherwise presents a risk of bodily injury by way of fire.

(e) The applicant or Short Term Rental Premises has documented history of nuisance behavior or criminal activity that endangers neighborhood or public safety in violation of the Codified Ordinances or Chapter 3767 of the Ohio Revised Code.

(f) The applicant, local host, or property manager is a felon, sex offender, or has committed an offense of violence as indicated in his or her BCI and FBI background check as required by this Chapter.

(g) The applicant, application, or Short Term Rental or Short Term Rental Premises otherwise fail to comply with this Chapter.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-17-25.)

1131.06 REVOCATION OF PERMIT.

In addition to the penalty provided in Section 1131.99 , the City Planner or designee may revoke the Zoning Clearance Permit for a Short Term Rental and may prohibit the applicant and/or local host from operating any Short Term Rental or reapplying for a Zoning Clearance Permit for a Short Term Rental for any of the following:

(a) Violating any of the requirements set forth in Section 1131.03 or Section 1131.04 of the Codified Ordinances.

(b) Failing to permit the City Planner or designee to inspect the premises to verify compliance with the provisions of this Chapter in accordance with Section 1155.06 of the Codified Ordinances.

(c) Failing to register with the City Income Tax Department or failing to pay the lodging tax and/or fees required by the Codified Ordinances or Ohio Revised Code.

(d) Failing to comply with the sections of this Chapter or otherwise causing or permitting a condition to exist that would otherwise violate the Codified Ordinances.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-17-25.)

1131.07 APPEAL OF DENIAL OR REVOCATION.

Any applicant whose Short Term Rental Zoning Clearance Permit application or renewal has been denied or revoked by the City Planner or designee, may file an Appeal from an Administrative Official to the Board of Zoning Appeals in accordance with the provisions of Section 1157.07 of the Codified Ordinances.

(Ord. 58-25. Passed 11-17-25.)

1131.99 PENALTY.

Any person who violates the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on the first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree for each offense thereafter.