Short-Term Rental Density Limitation; Variance
Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 686B.07
in effect§ 686B.07 Short-Term Rental Density Limitation; Variance
(a) Density Limitation. In any residential district, short-term rentals are limited to at least one or no more than ten percent (10%) of the total residential units on the block or in a multi-unit building, whichever is greater. For purposes of this chapter, “multi-unit building” means any Class A multiple dwelling, as defined in Section 325.50, containing three (3) or more dwelling units.
(b) Exception. In order to obtain a license for a short-term rental that would exceed the density limitation in division (a) of this section, an owner or operator may apply to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance. The Board may consider the following factors when determining whether to permit the variance:
(1) whether the operation as a short-term rental in excess of the density limitation will adversely impact the residential quality of the neighborhood in which the property is located;
(2) whether the dwelling was previously operated as a short-term rental;
(3) whether any prior operation as a short-term rental was the subject of documented complaints;
(4) whether such operation is likely to disrupt adjacent owners’ right to the quiet enjoyment of their property;
(5) whether such operation will substantially impact parking on the street fronting the short-term rental property and/or on nearby streets, including whether the property provides only limited off-street parking;
(6) whether the applicant seeks to operate an entire residence as a short-term rental or whether the short-term rental use is limited to a portion of the residence;
(7) whether other short-term rentals in excess of the density limitation are already operating on the block;
(8) in a multi-unit building, whether a majority of the residents and/or tenants support the variance; and
(9) such other factors as the Board deems necessary to aid in its decision.
(c) No owner or operator shall operate a short-term rental exceeding the density limitation set forth herein unless a variance is granted pursuant to this section.
(d) A dwelling unit in a residential district that has been in operation as limited lodging under Section 337.251 for a period of at least one (1) year prior to the effective date of this ordinance is not subject to the density limitation of this section so long as the limited lodging operation was at all times in full compliance with these Codified Ordinances, and there are no recorded complaints against the property when operated as limited lodging. Full compliance with Section 337.251 means a dwelling unit has operated as limited lodging for fewer than ninety-one (91) days per calendar year and the lodging to any particular lodger was for not more than thirty (30) consecutive days; and compliance with the standards set forth in division (c) of Section 337.251, including providing and maintaining smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detection devices. An owner’s or booking agent’s records confirming that the property was operated as limited lodging in full compliance with the Codified Ordinances including Section 337.251, for the period of time required herein shall be considered evidence of operation as limited lodging.
(Ord. No. 561-2026. Passed 6-1-26, eff. 11-28-26)
Source: City of Cleveland, Ohio, Codified Ordinances and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-54092Fetched: 11/1/2026