What is a Short-Term Rental? 

A Short-Term Rental (STR) is a residential dwelling unit or series of rooms within an existing dwelling unit rented for 30 consecutive days or less that may be rented through third-party services such as AirBNB or Vrbo. There are two different types of STRs: hosted, or non-hosted. Hosted STRs mean that the host is physically present at their residence on the same lot during the rental period. These types of STRs may be a few rooms in a house or an accessory unit located on the same lot. Non-hosted STRs mean that the host is not present on-site. These may include houses which are rented during the winter while the property owner lives off-site.

Can I have an STR on my property?

STRs are permitted in the C-DC (Downtown Core) and on any lot used for a one- or two-family dwelling. STRs are not permitted in commercial buildings or apartment complexes. Each individual, entity, or corporation may have one hosted and one non-hosted STR at any time.

What do I need to do to set up an STR?

The City of Delaware's Planning division regulates STRs with Chapter 1133 of the Zoning Code. This Chapter requires that property owners who operate STRs register annually.

Short-Term Rental Registration Process:

  1. Complete and submit the STR Registration Application through the online permitting portal at www.cityofdelawareoh.gov/permits. The following information is required for the application: 
    • Description of site or building improvements (if any)
    • Square footage
    • STR information (new, expanded, or existing)
    • Hosting information (hosted or non-hosted)
    • Number of guests
    • Advertisement locations (i.e. Vrbo, AirBNB)
    • City of Delaware Income Tax registration confirmation
  2. Pay $85 fee.

What else do I need to know?

STR licenses operate on a three-strike basis. If the property, at any time during one registration year, has three violations of any City code (including building, property maintenance, fire, or otherwise), the license will be revoked for the duration of the registration period.