OVERVIEW: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Avon, Ohio?

No, short-term rentals are currently not allowed in Avon, Ohio. The city has explicitly prohibited the operation of new STRs through a temporary moratorium. This ban is comprehensive, affecting all new activity and applications within residential zoning districts. The only exceptions are for bed and breakfast establishments that were already lawfully operating with a valid zoning certificate before the moratorium took effect.

HOW TO START A SHORT-TERM RENTAL BUSINESS IN THIS MARKET

Given the current legal landscape, you cannot legally start a new short-term rental business in Avon, Ohio at this time. The city's actions indicate that comprehensive regulations for STRs are being developed, but until those are passed and the moratorium is lifted, no new STRs may operate.

A step-by-step plan for after the moratorium is lifted:

1. Monitor City Communications: Stay informed by regularly checking the City of Avon's website (cityofavon.com) and local news for updates on the council's work to develop STR regulations. The original moratorium (Ord. 2-21) was passed on January 11, 2021, and was extended until October 12, 2021. It is crucial to find out if it has been further extended or if new regulations are in place.
2. Engage with the City: Once the moratorium is lifted, attend public meetings, particularly those of the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission, to stay informed on proposed rules and participate in the public input process.
3. Compliance Preparation: If the city adopts new rules, be prepared to follow them meticulously. This will likely involve a formal application process, payment of fees, and adherence to specific operational guidelines (which will be detailed in the new ordinances).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES, AND GUIDELINES

During the active period of the moratorium, no documents, permits, or licenses will be granted for the purpose of operating a new short-term rental. The city explicitly states in its extension ordinance that "no building permits, licenses, or zoning certificates shall be granted for the purposes of operating a short term (less than 30 days) residential real estate rental operation."

• Post-Moratorium: The city has indicated its intention to establish "reasonable and comprehensive regulations" for STRs. Based on the recitals of the ordinances, these regulations will likely address safety, licensing, operational guidelines, and possibly caps or density limits, similar to what many other Ohio cities have implemented. Specific required documents will be detailed in those forthcoming ordinances.

SPECIFIC REGULATIONS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS

The provided content contains only the regulatory framework for the moratorium itself.

• Moratorium on STRs (Ord. 2-21 & Ord. 56-21):
  • Duration: The initial 180-day moratorium was extended to October 12, 2021. Investors must confirm if this has been extended further or if a new regulatory framework is now in effect.
  • Scope: The moratorium applies to all residential zoning districts within the City of Avon (R-1, R-2, R-3). It prohibits the operation of STRs by non-occupant owners (i.e., investors who do not live in the property).
  • Prohibition of Unlisted Uses: The extension ordinance clarifies that "Short term rentals (STRs) are not listed" in the city's zoning code (sections 1262.02(e) and 1264.02(e)). Therefore, they are prohibited with or without the moratorium. The moratorium simply prevents the proliferation of this unlisted use while regulations are studied.
  • Exemptions: Lawfully operating bed and breakfast establishments that held a zoning certificate prior to the effective date of the moratorium are exempt.
  • Enforcement: Violation of the moratorium ordinance is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable under Avon Codified Ordinances §698.02.

City, County, and State Level:

• City of Avon: As detailed above, it has a comprehensive ban and moratorium on new STRs.
• Lorain County: The provided content does not contain any county-level regulations specific to short-term rentals.
• State of Ohio: The provided content does not contain any state-level regulations specific to short-term rentals. Therefore, only the city-level regulations for Avon are applicable at this time.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY

The documents provided are ordinances passed by the City Council. They are administered by the City. While specific contact details (phone and email) for the department in charge of STRs are not provided in the content, the primary point of contact would be the City of Avon.

• City of Avon Website: https://www.cityofavon.com/
• General Contact: For direct contact, visit the "Contact Us" directory on the city website. The City Council President and the Law Director are named in the ordinances and would be key figures, though the administration and planning/zoning departments would be the operational contacts for implementation.

LINKS TO SOURCE PAGES

The analysis is based on the following primary source documents from the City of Avon:

1. Initial Moratorium Ordinance No. 2-21: https://www.cityofavon.com/DocumentCenter/View/6881/Ordinance-No-2-21-Ord-Establish-Moratorium-on-STR-final
2. Moratorium Extension Ordinance No. 56-21: https://www.cityofavon.com/DocumentCenter/View/7180/Ordinance-No-56-21-STR---Extend-Moratorium-90-days

Note on the "Avon.org" Link: The search results included a link to "www.avon.org", which contains information on short-term rentals. However, this is the official website for the Town of Avon, Colorado, which has established regulations and a licensing program for STRs. The information provided on this page is not applicable to Avon, Ohio, and should be ignored for investment purposes in Lorain County, Ohio.