Is Airbnb legal in Akron, OH?
RestrictedAirbnb is restricted in Akron, OH
No one may operate or advertise an STR without an annual registration certificate, displayed inside the unit and in every listing. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact, one million dollars of liability insurance, and a life-safety affidavit, with occupancy capped at two per sleeping room. A 3 percent STR excise tax applies.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in Akron
No one may operate or advertise an STR without an annual registration certificate, displayed inside the unit and in every listing. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact, one million dollars of liability insurance, and a life-safety affidavit, with occupancy capped at two per sleeping room. A 3 percent STR excise tax applies.
Non-owner investors can operate in Akron, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.
What it means for investors
An STR can still work in Akron, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.
Short-term rental rules elsewhere in Ohio
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in Akron?
No one may operate or advertise an STR without an annual registration certificate, displayed inside the unit and in every listing. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact, one million dollars of liability insurance, and a life-safety affidavit, with occupancy capped at two per sleeping room. A 3 percent STR excise tax applies. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Akron?
Yes. Akron requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Akron?
Yes, Akron does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Akron?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Akron, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Akron?
Short-term rentals in Akron are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Ohio and the city.