Prepared for real‑estate investors and operators who plan to host short‑term stays in Plymouth Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio

1. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Plymouth, Ohio?

Short‑term rentals are permitted in Plymouth Township, but only under the specific land‑use categories and approval procedures defined in the Township Zoning Resolution.

| Scenario | Zoning Category | How it is treated | |----------|----------------|-------------------| | Owner‑occupied Bed‑and‑Breakfast (B&B) – renting one or more rooms for lodging and providing breakfast | Bed‑and‑Breakfast (see Article 2, “Bed and Breakfast”) | Conditional Use in residential districts (R‑1, R‑2, etc.) – a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals before a Zoning Permit can be issued. | | “Hotel / Motel” style operation – a dedicated building offered to the public for compensation, with no owner residing on‑site | Hotel or Motel and Apartment Hotel (see Article 2, “Hotel or Motel and Apartment Hotel”) | Principal Use – only allowed in the Commercial (C) District. A full Zoning Permit is required; a CUP is not needed if the property is already zoned C. | | Occasional “home‑share” – renting a single room while the owner lives on the premises, without providing meals | Home Occupation (see Article 10, “Regulation of Home Occupations”) | Permitted as an accessory use in residential districts provided the activity is “clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the premises as a dwelling” and meets the limits on traffic, signage, and employee‑client contact set out in §§ 1071‑1074. A Home Occupation Permit (if required) can be obtained from the Zoning Inspector. |

Bottom line:

• If you intend to operate a traditional “Airbnb‑type” short‑term rental (one to a few nights, no meals, owner‑occupied), you can usually proceed under the Home‑Occupation provisions if the activity stays within the limits (e.g., no more than three clients at a time, no signage, no external evidence of commercial use).
• If you plan to provide breakfast or otherwise run a B&B, you must secure a Conditional Use Permit in a residential district.
• If you want a purpose‑built lodging facility (e.g., a small boutique hotel), you must be in a Commercial zone and obtain a Zoning Permit (no CUP needed).

Explicit statement: Short‑term rentals are allowed in Plymouth Township only through the pathways described above. No outright prohibition exists, but any operation that does not fit the permitted or conditional‑use categories is prohibited.

2. How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Plymouth

The process follows a logical, step‑by‑step workflow. Each step is required by either the Township Zoning Resolution, Ashtabula County building/health regulations, or Ohio State law.

1. Confirm Zoning Classification of the Property

   • Obtain the parcel’s zoning district from the Plymouth Township Zoning Map (available on the township website).
   • Verify whether the district permits the intended STR model (Home‑Occupation, Bed‑and‑Breakfast, or Commercial lodging).

2. Choose the Legal Path

   • Owner‑occupied, no meals → Home‑Occupation (if the activity fits the § 1071 limits).
   • Owner‑occupied, with breakfast → Bed‑and‑Breakfast (Conditional Use).
   • Dedicated lodging building → Commercial (C) District (requires Zoning Permit only).

3. Submit a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application (if required)

   • Use the application format prescribed in Article 5, §§ 510‑520 of the Zoning Resolution.
   • Provide a site plan, floor plans, proof of owner residence, a detailed description of the business (number of rooms, length of stay, services), and any supporting documentation.
   • File with the Zoning Inspector; the Inspector forwards the request to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a public hearing (§ 540‑543).

4. Obtain a Zoning Permit

   • After CUP approval (or if no CUP is required), file a Zoning Permit Application per Article 14, §§ 1401‑1405.
   • Include the approved CUP (if applicable), property description, owner/operator contact information, and any required fees (see Schedule of Fees in the resolution).

5. Secure Building & Fire Approvals

   • Any structural alteration, addition, or change of occupancy requires a Building Permit from the Ashtabula County Department of Building Regulations.
   • Submit construction documents (architectural plans, structural drawings) and obtain a Fire‑Safety Inspection per the Ohio Fire Code (OFC).
   • A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) must be issued before the property can be used for lodging.

6. Health & Food‑Service Licensing (if meals are provided)

   • If breakfast or any food service is offered, contact the Ashtabula County General Health District for a Food Service Operation License and any required food‑handler certifications.

7. Ohio State‑Level Compliance

   • Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) – Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation (online portal) to collect and remit the 6 % state lodging tax.
   • Transient Guest Registration – For lodging that accommodates guests for ≤ 30 days, Ohio Revised Code § 3733.01 requires a Transient Guest Registration (often filed through the county auditor).
   • Business Registration – Register the STR entity with the Ohio Secretary of State (if a separate LLC, corporation, etc.).
   • Insurance – Obtain a minimum liability policy (typically $1 million per occurrence) as required by most platforms and lenders.

8. Set Up Local Tax Remittance

   • Plymouth Township does not levy a separate lodging tax, but the Ashtabula County General Sales Tax may apply to taxable items (e.g., room rentals). Verify with the Ashtabula County Auditor.

9. Launch Operations

   • Once all permits, registrations, and inspections are in place, you may begin marketing the property (Airbnb, VRBO, direct website).
   • Keep all approvals on‑site and make them available to guests or code‑enforcement officers upon request.

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Requirement | Governing Authority | What Must Be Submitted | |-------------|----------------------|------------------------| | CUP Application (Bed‑and‑Breakfast) | Board of Zoning Appeals (Plymouth Township) | Completed application form, site plan, floor plans, owner‑occupancy proof, description of services, fee | | Zoning Permit | Zoning Inspector (Plymouth Township) | Zoning permit form, approved CUP (if applicable), property description, ownership verification | | Building Permit | Ashtabula County Dept. of Building Regulations | Construction documents (if any alterations), structural plans, fire‑code compliance | | Fire‑Safety Inspection Certificate | Local Fire Marshal (Ohio Fire Code) | Inspection report confirming smoke detectors, egress routes, extinguishers, etc. | | Food Service License | Ashtabula County General Health District (if meals are served) | License application, menu plan, food‑handler certifications | | Transient Guest Registration | Ohio Dept. of Taxation / County Auditor | Registration form, business identification | | Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) Registration | Ohio Dept. of Taxation | Online registration, tax‑remittance