Short-Term Rental Investor Guide: St. Clairsville, Ohio

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in St. Clairsville, OH?

Short-term rentals ARE explicitly allowed in St. Clairsville, OH. The city zoning ordinance specifically recognizes and regulates transient lodging establishments including bed-and-breakfast operations. According to the ordinance, "BED-AND-BREAKFAST (B&B)" is defined as "A transient lodging establishment, generally in a single-family dwelling and/or detached guesthouses, primarily engaged in providing overnight or otherwise temporary lodging for the general public and may provide meals for compensation."

However, the legality and permissibility of short-term rentals depends entirely on the specific zoning district where your property is located and whether the use is permitted by right or requires special approvals.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in St. Clairsville

Step 1: Zoning Compliance Verification

Before purchasing or operating any STR, you must:

1. Verify Zoning District: Determine your property's zoning classification using the Official Zoning Map
2. Confirm Permitted Uses: Check if transient lodging, bed-and-breakfast, hotel, or motel uses are permitted in your district
3. Review Overlay Districts: Determine if your property falls within any overlay districts (such as Hillside Overlay - Chapter 1145) that may impose additional restrictions

Step 2: Application Process

1. Apply for Zoning Compliance Certificate: Submit application to Planning and Zoning Administrator
2. Provide Required Documentation: Complete application with all required forms and supporting materials
3. Pay Application Fees: As established in Appendix A and by ordinance
4. Await Review: 30-day review period by Planning and Zoning Administrator

Step 3: Ongoing Compliance

1. Maintain Certificate: Keep zoning compliance certificate current (valid for 6 months, renewable)
2. Adhere to Conditions: Comply with any special conditions or safeguards imposed
3. Regular Inspections: Submit to regular municipal inspections

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Certificates

1. Zoning Compliance Certificate (Zoning Permit)

   • Required: Before any STR operation begins
   • Valid Duration: 6 months (renewable if project scope unchanged)
   • Application Requirements:
     • Name, address, and phone number of applicant(s)
     • Property owner signature (if different from applicant)
     • Current survey (if required by Planning and Zoning Administrator)
     • Site plan drawn to scale showing:
       • Actual dimensions of lot including easements
       • Exact size and location of all buildings and structures
       • Proposed new construction and/or alterations
       • Existing and intended use of all parts of land or buildings
       • Proposed provisions for water, sanitary sewer, surface drainage, underground storm drainage
       • Landscaping and site design treatment (where required)

2. Health Department Approval

   • Required: If not serviced with public water supply and/or disposal of sanitary wastes
   • Documentation: Written evidence of approval from responsible Health Officer

Additional Requirements by Use Type

For bed-and-breakfast operations specifically:

• Must be "generally in a single-family dwelling and/or detached guesthouses"
• May provide meals for compensation
• Subject to all residential zoning requirements for the primary dwelling

Insurance Requirements

• Demolition Permit Context: While not specifically required for STR operations, the ordinance requires $300,000 liability insurance for demolition permits, suggesting similar protection may be prudent for rental operations

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations

Permitted Use Categories

The ordinance recognizes several lodging-related uses that could qualify as short-term rentals:

1. Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B)

   • Defined as transient lodging in single-family dwellings
   • May include detached guesthouses
   • Permitted meals for compensation

2. Hotel

   • Building offering lodging to transient guests for compensation
   • Distinct from boarding houses (different definitions apply)

3. Motel

   • Similar to hotel but typically designed for automobile travel
   • Includes terms like Inn, Motor Lodge, Motor Inn, Motor Hotel

4. Boarding House

   • Residential building providing lodging for 3+ persons
   • Primarily for non-transients
   • No cooking/dining facilities in individual rooms

5. Residential Hotel

   • Dwelling occupied by permanent guests
   • May or may not have housekeeping facilities per room

Zoning Compliance Requirements

• Certificate Required: No STR operation without valid zoning compliance certificate
• Use Classification: STRs must match permitted uses in zoning district
• Building Standards: Must comply with all building codes and zoning standards
• Setback Requirements: Must meet all setback, height, and lot coverage requirements

Conditional Use Permits

• When Required: If STR use is listed as conditional use in zoning district
• Issuing Authority: Board of Building and Zoning Appeals
• Standards: Must meet conditional use criteria in Chapter 1135

Nonconforming Use Regulations

• Existing Uses: Lawful STRs established before ordinance adoption may continue as nonconforming uses
• Expansion: Subject to regulations in Chapter 1137 regarding substitution, enlargement, and expansion of nonconforming uses

County-Level Regulations

The provided content focuses primarily on municipal zoning regulations. However, investors should also verify:

• Belmont County Health Department requirements for lodging establishments
• Belmont County Building Department permits and inspections
• County Sheriff's Office for any additional safety or operational requirements

State-Level Regulations (Ohio)

1. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3731: Hotels, motels, and lodging houses licensing
2. Ohio Department of Health: Food service operations if meals are provided
3. Ohio Department of Commerce: Consumer protection compliance for rental operations
4. Workers' Compensation: If employees are hired
5. Ohio Sales and Use Tax: Transient lodging tax requirements

Enforcement and Penalties

Violation Penalties

• First Violation: Misdemeanor of fourth degree - fine up to $250 and/or 30 days imprisonment
• Second Violation (same year): Misdemeanor of third degree - fine up to $500 and/or 60 days imprisonment
• Third Violation (same year): Misdemeanor of second degree - fine up to $750 and/or 90 days imprisonment
• Daily Violations: Each day of continued violation constitutes separate offense
• Additional Remedies: Municipality may take other lawful action to prevent or remedy violations

Enforcement Authority

• Planning and Zoning Administrator: Primary enforcement officer
• Planning Commission: Reviews amendments and complex cases
• Board of Building and Zoning Appeals: Handles variances and conditional uses
• City Council: Adopts zoning amendments and penalties

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contacts

Planning and Zoning Administrator

• Phone: [Phone number not specified in provided content]
• Email: [Email address not specified in provided content]
• Office Location: [Address not specified in provided content]
• Authority: Issues zoning compliance certificates, enforces zoning ordinance

City of St. Clairsville

• Website: stclairsville.com
• Phone: [Main number not specified in provided content]
• Address: St. Clairsville, Ohio

Administrative Bodies

Planning Commission

• Review: Zoning amendments, conditional uses, development plans
• Meeting Schedule: [Specific schedule not provided in content]

Board of Building and Zoning Appeals

• Jurisdiction: Variances, conditional use permits, nonconforming use determinations
• Membership: Five members (4 municipal residents, 1 Planning Commission member)

Board of Architectural Review (for Historic Downtown District)

• Authority: Demolition permits and design standards in historic areas
• Contact: Through Planning and Zoning Administrator

Key Legal Framework and Procedures

Appeals Process

1. First Appeal: To Board of Building and Zoning Appeals (20-day deadline)
2. Second Appeal: To Council (for zoning amendments)
3. Final Appeal: To courts within 30 days of Board decision

Variance Requirements

Variances may be granted if:

• Special conditions exist peculiar to the property
• Literal enforcement would cause unnecessary hardship
• Variance would not confer special privilege
• No unsafe or unhealthy conditions would result

Permit Renewal Process

• Initial Validity: 6 months from issuance
• Renewal: Possible for another 6 months if project scope unchanged
• Scope Changes: Require new application and certificate

Important Notes for STR Investors

Critical Compliance Points

1. Use Verification: Confirm STR is permitted in your specific zoning district
2. Certificate Maintenance: Keep zoning compliance certificate current
3. Inspection Readiness: Be prepared for regular municipal inspections
4. Documentation: Maintain all permits, certificates, and compliance records

Risk Mitigation

1. Professional Consultation: Work with local planning professionals familiar with St. Clairsville regulations
2. Due Diligence: Verify all zoning and permit requirements before property acquisition
3. Insurance: Maintain adequate liability and property insurance
4. Legal Compliance: Stay current with all federal, state, and local regulations

Market Considerations

• Zoning Variability: Regulations may vary significantly by zoning district within city limits
• Overlay Districts: Hillside and other overlay districts may impose additional restrictions
• Historic Areas: Additional review required for properties in Historic Downtown District

This guide provides the framework for STR investment in St. Clairsville, but investors should verify current requirements and contact local authorities for the most up-to-date information and specific application procedures.

Source Pages

• Primary Zoning Ordinance: stclairsville.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Zoning-Ordinance.pdf

Note: This guide is based on the 2018 Zoning Ordinance. Investors should verify that no updates or amendments have been adopted since this date and should contact the Planning and Zoning Administrator for current requirements and procedures.**