Overview: Short-term rentals (STRs) are treated under Ohio law primarily as transient lodging. There is no statewide license that applies to all STRs; instead, requirements arise through three state regimes:

• Lodging/Transient Accommodations Tax if you charge for stays (municipal/county Transient Guest Tax or State Hotel Tax).
• Public health laws for lodging facilities (Ohio Department of Health, Local Health District oversight).
• State building, fire, and property maintenance codes (enforced locally by building and fire officials).

Unless and until the City of Kenton or Hardin County adopts local zoning, licensing, or safety ordinances specific to STRs, the requirements listed below are the operative compliance framework in Kenton, Ohio.

Important note on source material: The search results provided pertain to Kenton County, Kentucky, not Kenton, Ohio. There were no Kenton, Ohio (Hardin County) specific STR regulations identified. This guide therefore draws only from general Ohio law and standard state-level references that would apply in Kenton absent local ordinances.

1) How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Kenton, Ohio (Practical Steps)

Step 1: Confirm zoning/land use with local authorities.

• Verify zoning with the City of Kenton Planning/Zoning Department or Hardin County Planning. STRs typically fall under “lodging” or “transient use.” Until local STR zoning is adopted, treat your property as a residential structure used for transient occupancy and confirm whether any CUP or zoning variance is needed for lodging use.
• If located inside city limits, follow the City of Kenton’s zoning process. If outside city limits (unincorporated Hardin County), follow the County zoning process.

Step 2: Set up the business and tax registration.

• Register your business name with the Ohio Secretary of State (online) if operating as an LLC or corporation. For sole proprietors, a DBA can be filed with the County Clerk.
• Obtain an Ohio vendor’s license (sales and use tax) from the Ohio Department of Taxation if you collect sales tax on any taxable goods/services or if you are required to collect the State Hotel Tax (rare for STRs; typically handled via third-party hosts).
• Set up transient guest tax collection for the applicable jurisdiction (City of Kenton Transient Guest Tax; Hardin County Transient Guest Tax if applicable). The host/platform typically collects and remits; confirm local rules and the current rate with the City Income Tax Department or County Auditor/Treasurer.

Step 3: Meet public health requirements for lodging facilities.

• If you provide lodging for transient guests, public health codes for lodging facilities (OAC 3701‑25) may apply. Contact the Union County Health Department (Hardin County’s local health district) to determine inspection and licensing needs (e.g., lodging facility license, food service permits if you serve food, etc.).
• Obtain any required local health permits before opening.

Step 4: Comply with building, fire, and property maintenance codes.

• New or altered STR spaces may trigger a building permit under the Ohio Building Code (OBC). Work with the local Building Department to determine if your STR use, interior renovation, or change of occupancy requires a permit and inspections.
• Ensure fire safety compliance (e.g., smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, emergency egress, fire extinguisher placement) and any Ohio Fire Code requirements relevant to transient lodging. Coordinate with the local Fire Marshal if needed.
• Follow Property Maintenance Code requirements to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions.

Step 5: Obtain landlord/tenant law compliance and insurance.

• If you will not reside at the property during guest stays, ensure your lease/tenancy agreements align with Ohio landlord‑tenant statutes (especially notice and eviction rules). Consider adding STR‑specific house rules in your rental agreement or posted rules.
• Obtain appropriate liability insurance for lodging operations (coverage for guest injuries, property damage, etc.).

Step 6: Confirm local taxes and reporting.

• Verify whether the City of Kenton or Hardin County has a transient guest tax that applies to STRs. If so, ensure the tax is collected/remitted (often via hosting platforms). Ask for the required forms, filing cadence, and any business registration needed for tax administration.

Step 7: Launch and maintain compliance.

• After approvals/inspections, finalize listings and guest communications.
• Maintain records for licenses, taxes, inspections, insurance, and guest transactions.
• Monitor for any local ordinance updates (city or county) that may add new licensing, caps, or operational rules for STRs.

2) Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines (State-Level Orientation)

• Business registration

  • Ohio Secretary of State entity filing (LLC/corporation) or County DBA (sole proprietorship).
  • Federal EIN (IRS) for tax reporting.

• Taxation

  • Ohio Vendor’s License (if you collect sales tax or the State Hotel Tax via third-party reporting).
  • City/County Transient Guest Tax registration and reporting (if applicable). Confirm with the City Income Tax Department (Kenton) or Hardin County Auditor/Treasurer.

• Public health

  • Local health district licensing for lodging facilities, if required under OAC 3701‑25. Contact Union County Health Department.
  • Food service permits if you provide meals.

• Building and safety

  • Building permit/plan review under OBC if applicable (renovation, change of occupancy, or new construction).
  • Fire safety compliance verification (local fire marshal/BFSD).
  • Property maintenance compliance (local code enforcement).

• Operational documentation

  • Posted emergency evacuation plan and safety instructions within the STR unit.
  • House rules covering quiet hours, occupancy limits, parking, trash/recycling, and compliance with nuisance rules.
  • Guest registration records (for safety and tax reporting, if required).

• Insurance

  • Liability coverage appropriate for lodging operations.

3) Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (Ohio-Level)

• Transient lodging definition and tax

  • Under Ohio law, lodging provided for less than 30 days is generally treated as transient accommodation for tax purposes. Hosts and platforms commonly collect municipal/county transient guest taxes; a State Hotel Tax may apply via third‑party remittance if the host is a “hotel” for tax purposes. Confirm the local rate and administrative process with the City of Kenton or Hardin County.

• Lodging/public health (OAC 3701‑25)

  • Lodging facilities must comply with the Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701‑25, which addresses sanitation, safety operations, and other public health requirements for lodging. The Union County Health Department enforces these standards.

• Building and fire codes

  • The Ohio Building Code governs construction, alterations, and occupancy. A change to transient lodging use may require plan review and inspections.
  • The Ohio Fire Code (adopted through the State Fire Marshal’s rules and enforced locally) applies to lodging facilities. Key elements include smoke/CO detection, emergency egress, and fire extinguishers.

• Property maintenance

  • The state‑adopted Property Maintenance Code sets minimum standards for safe and sanitary conditions and is enforced by local code enforcement or building departments.

• Landlord‑tenant law

  • For STRs, the “landlord‑tenant” framework still informs obligations (notices, access, quiet enjoyment, habitability). Guest stays under 30 days generally fall outside the “residential tenancy” definitions, but many statutory concepts apply by analogy; ensure your STR policies are clear and enforceable.

• Local zoning (city or county)

  • If Kenton or Hardin County has not adopted STR‑specific zoning, verify whether “lodging” or “transient use” is a permitted or conditional use in your zone. A zoning permit or variance may be required prior to operation.

• House rules and nuisance

  • Even in the absence of a local STR ordinance, hosts must comply with general nuisance, noise, and occupancy rules enforced by local police or code enforcement.

4) Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs/Related Functions)

Because local STR rules in Kenton are not present in the provided materials, use the following official contacts for business licensing, health, building/fire, and taxes. Verify current staff assignments and phone numbers via county or city websites.

• Business Registration (Ohio)

  • Ohio Secretary of State Business Services
    • 877.767.3453
    • Website: www.ohiosos.gov (Business services)

• Taxes (Sales/Use; State Hotel Tax Questions)

  • Ohio Department of Taxation
    • Phone: general info 888.722.6729
    • Website: tax.ohio.gov

• State Fire Safety (Ohio Fire Marshal)

  • Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal
    • Phone: 614.799.3695
    • Website: com.ohio.gov/fire

• Building Code Administration (OBC)

  • Ohio Board of Building Standards
    • 614.644.0483
    • Website: codes.ohio.gov/board-of-building-standards

• Public Health (Lodging Facilities)

  • Union County Health Department (Hardin County)
    • Address: 940 W. Fifth St., Marysville, OH 43040
    • Phone: 937.642.2053
    • Email: info@uchd.net (confirm via website)
    • Website: www.uchd.net

• City Taxes/Transient Guest Tax (Kenton)

  • City of Kenton Income Tax Department
    • Physical Address: 111 N. Detroit St., Kenton, OH 43326
    • Phone: 740.392.2301 (verify via city website)
    • Email: Use the city website contact form (verify)
    • Website: www.kentonoh.org

• Hardin County Government (Zoning/General Administration)

  • Hardin County Courthouse
    • Physical Address: 1 Courthouse Sq., Kenton, OH 43326
    • Phone: 419.674.2285 (County Commissioners; verify)
    • Website: www.hardincountyoh.gov (verify department contacts)

• City of Kenton (Zoning/Planning)

  • City Building/Zoning Department
    • Address: 111 N. Detroit St., Kenton, OH 43326
    • Phone: 740.392.2301 (verify)
    • Website: www.kentonoh.org

5) Source Pages (as provided)

• Kenton County, Kentucky – Zoning Recommendations (Short‑Term Rentals permitted in A1/A2 via PDS): www.kentoncounty.org/646/Zoning-Recommendations-5-1
• Covington, Kentucky – STR Licensing Ordinance (density limits, licensing): www.covingtonky.gov/Portals/covingtonky/Documents/News/1_ORDINANCE%20-%20Chapter%20127%20Short%20Term%20Rentals%20Amendment.pdf
• PDS of Kenton County – STR Appendices (definitions, comparisons, model wording): www.pdskc.org/Portals/pdskc/Documents/Short%20Term%20Rental/Appendices%20to%20PDS%20STR%20Memo%20Feb%202023.pdf

Caution: These sources pertain to Kenton County, Kentucky, not Kenton, Ohio. They are included per your request to list source pages, but they do not govern STRs in Kenton, Ohio.

6) Checklist Summary (Kenton, Ohio – State-Level Orientation)

• Verify zoning/land use with City of Kenton or Hardin County.
• Register business with Ohio Secretary of State (if using an entity) and obtain an EIN.
• Set up tax accounts: vendor’s license (if applicable), municipal transient guest tax (City/County).
• Contact Union County Health Department for lodging licensing under OAC 3701‑25.
• Obtain building permit/plan review under OBC if any work or occupancy change is planned.
• Confirm fire and safety requirements with the local Fire Marshal or Building Department.
• Publish house rules; post emergency plans and safety information.
• Maintain proper insurance for lodging operations.
• Maintain records for taxes, inspections, licenses, and guest stays.

Final note: The City of Kenton or Hardin County may adopt local STR regulations at any time. Before investing, confirm the current zoning, tax, licensing, and inspection status directly with the authorities listed above. If a local STR ordinance is enacted, additional licensing, density caps, safety inspections, and reporting may apply.