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Berea

Ohio · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-08  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-08  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Berea Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes — a dedicated Short-Term Rental (STR) permit is required under Ordinance 9-8 (Codified Ordinance 1331). Permit deadline: August 31 (annually). Sep
Tax Rate6.5% Cuyahoga County Bed Tax (on listing price including cleaning fees, for stays ≤29 nights) + 6% Ohio State Occupancy Tax (for transient guests stay
Night / Day CapUnknown — no annual day cap explicitly specified in sourced ordinances.
Minimum StayUnknown — no minimum stay requirement explicitly specified in sourced ordinances. STR is defined as any rental of less than 30 days.
Permit FeeSTR permit fee: $100 (one-time per permit cycle, due by Aug. 31). Long-term rental permit: $60/year (Oct. 1–Sep. 30 cycle). Reinstatement fee applies
PenaltiesViolation of BCO 1331.02(a) (operating without a permit) is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree under Ohio law. If three or more violations occur at th
Primary Residence RequiredUnknown — not explicitly mandated in Berea's STR ordinance as sourced. (Note: neighboring City of Cleveland requires primary residency; Berea's ordina
Occupancy LimitRestrictions exist (the ordinance references limits on the number of guests allowed), but specific numeric caps were not confirmed in available source
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Berea Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Berea Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Berea, Ohio are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — a dedicated Short-Term Rental (STR) permit is required under Ordinance 9-8 (Codified Ordinance 1331). Permit deadline: August 31 (annually). Separate long-term rental permit also required under . The associated permit fees are STR permit fee: $100 (one-time per permit cycle, due by Aug. 31). Long-term rental permit: $60/year .

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Berea

Short-term rental operators in Berea should be aware of these tax obligations: 6.5% Cuyahoga County Bed Tax (on listing price including cleaning fees, for stays ≤29 nights) + 6% Ohio State Occupancy Tax (for transient guests staying <30 consecutive days). Berea does not levy its own city-specific STR tax. Approximate combined l. Yes — STR operators must register with Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office via the GovOS/MuniRevs online portal to collect and remit the County 6.5% bed tax.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Berea

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Berea include: Primary residence requirement: Unknown — not explicitly mandated in Berea's STR ordinance as sourced. (Note: neighboring City of Cleveland requires pri. Rental day cap: Unknown — no annual day cap explicitly specified in sourced ordinances.. Occupancy limit: Restrictions exist (the ordinance references limits on the number of guests allowed), but specific numeric caps were not. Minimum stay: Unknown — no minimum stay requirement explicitly specified in sourced ordinances. STR is defined as any rental of less t.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Berea

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Berea: Yes — a second piece of legislation (effective September 2025/2026) prohibits STRs from operating within 1,000 feet of parks, schools, and churches, and within 500 feet of another STR. Applies city-wi. Density rules: Yes — STRs may not be located within 500 feet of each other (density/separation rule under the second ordinance, effective September 2025/2026).. Insurance: Unknown — not explicitly mandated in Berea's STR ordinance as sourced. Specialty STR insurance (e.g..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Berea

Hosts who fail to comply with Berea's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Violation of BCO 1331.02(a) (operating without a permit) is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree under Ohio law. If three or more violations occur at the same premises within a 24-month period, the prop.

Platform Obligations in Berea

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Berea: Airbnb collects and remits Cuyahoga County 6.5% bed tax on behalf of hosts. Hosts remain responsible for ensuring all applicable taxes are collected and remitted. No explicit platform-reporting mandat.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes — a dedicated Short-Term Rental (STR) permit is required under Ordinance 9-8 (Codified Ordinance 1331). Permit deadline: August 31 (annually). Separate long-term rental permit also required under BCO 1331.02(a), effective April 20, 2026, for all 1–2 family dwellings.
Tax Registration
Yes — STR operators must register with Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office via the GovOS/MuniRevs online portal to collect and remit the County 6.5% bed tax. Ohio state registration (vendor's license) is also required for state occupancy tax purposes. Additionally, owners must submit a Residential Rental Property Disclosure Form to the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer per R.C. 5323.02.
Permit Fee
STR permit fee: $100 (one-time per permit cycle, due by Aug. 31). Long-term rental permit: $60/year (Oct. 1–Sep. 30 cycle). Reinstatement fee applies if a permit is revoked. Nuisance abatement minimum cost: $750.
Primary Residence Rule
Unknown — not explicitly mandated in Berea's STR ordinance as sourced. (Note: neighboring City of Cleveland requires primary residency; Berea's ordinance focuses on permit, location restrictions, and nuisance accountability.)
Night / Day Cap
Unknown — no annual day cap explicitly specified in sourced ordinances.
Occupancy Limit
Restrictions exist (the ordinance references limits on the number of guests allowed), but specific numeric caps were not confirmed in available sources.
Tax Rate
6.5% Cuyahoga County Bed Tax (on listing price including cleaning fees, for stays ≤29 nights) + 6% Ohio State Occupancy Tax (for transient guests staying <30 consecutive days). Berea does not levy its own city-specific STR tax. Approximate combined lodging tax burden: ~12.5% (county + state). Airbnb collects and remits the Cuyahoga County bed tax automatically.
Zoning Restrictions
Yes — a second piece of legislation (effective September 2025/2026) prohibits STRs from operating within 1,000 feet of parks, schools, and churches, and within 500 feet of another STR. Applies city-wide across all zoning districts.
Minimum Stay
Unknown — no minimum stay requirement explicitly specified in sourced ordinances. STR is defined as any rental of less than 30 days.
Density Rules
Yes — STRs may not be located within 500 feet of each other (density/separation rule under the second ordinance, effective September 2025/2026).
Insurance Required
Unknown — not explicitly mandated in Berea's STR ordinance as sourced. Specialty STR insurance (e.g., covering commercial and personal use) is strongly recommended by industry providers.
Platform Obligations
Airbnb collects and remits Cuyahoga County 6.5% bed tax on behalf of hosts. Hosts remain responsible for ensuring all applicable taxes are collected and remitted. No explicit platform-reporting mandate specific to Berea was confirmed in sourced materials.
Compliance Notes
1) Permit holders must post city rules (parking rules, noise ordinances, etc.) on the refrigerator or otherwise prominently inside the rental unit for guest visibility. 2) Property owners not residing or operating a principal business in Cuyahoga County or an adjacent county must appoint a local agent to receive notices, complaints, and legal service. 3) Permit may be revoked upon building code violations, delinquent property taxes, nuisance findings, or untruthful permit applications. 4) Ohio SB 104 and HB 109 (pending in Ohio General Assembly as of early 2025) could preempt Berea's local STR rules if passed.
Effective Date
Ordinance 9-8 (STR permit requirement): October 6, 2025 (passed); permit deadline August 31 [2026 cycle]. Location/zoning restrictions: September 2025/2026. Long-term rental permit update: April 20, 2026.
Key Notes
Berea is a city without hotels, and STR regulation is being driven proactively ahead of a potential surge in short-term rental activity tied to the Cleveland Browns' stadium relocation to nearby Brook Park and Baldwin Wallace University's new on-campus living requirement displacing student renters. The ordinance grew from citizen feedback and is focused on preserving neighborhood character, parking compliance, and nuisance accountability.
Penalties
Violation of BCO 1331.02(a) (operating without a permit) is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree under Ohio law. If three or more violations occur at the same premises within a 24-month period, the property can be declared a criminal nuisance. The city may abate the nuisance and assess costs to the property owner; minimum abatement cost is $750. Permit revocation is also possible.
Additional Context
Berea is located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The city has no hotels, making STRs the primary transient accommodation option. The regulatory framework is relatively new and evolving — a second ordinance layer adding location/distance restrictions was passed alongside the initial permitting ordinance. The Ohio General Assembly's SB 104 and HB 109 (as of Feb. 2025, referred to committee) could override local STR ordinances statewide if enacted. Berea does not currently collect a city-specific STR tax beyond the state and county obligations.
Sources
https://www.cityofberea.org/164
City of Berea Official Website (cityofberea.org) — Residential Rental Permits (BCO 1331), cityofberea.org/164
WOIO Cleveland19 News, 'Berea cracks down on short-term rentals with new permit requirements,' Apr. 27, 2026 (cleveland19.com)
BW Exponent, 'City of Berea passes legislation regulating short-term rental properties,' Nov. 24, 2025 (bwexponent.com)
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office — Lodging Occupancy Tax (cuyahogacounty.gov)
Airbnb Help Center — Ohio Occupancy Tax Collection (airbnb.com/help/article/2322)
Berea Democratic Club (bereadems.org)
BNBCalc Ohio STR Tax Guide (bnbcalc.com)
Berea City Council Minutes, Sep. 2, 2025 (cityofberea.org)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Berea?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Berea with proper registration and permits. 1) Permit holders must post city rules (parking rules, noise ordinances, etc.) on the refrigerator or otherwise prominently inside the rental unit for guest visibility. 2) Property owners not residing

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Berea?

Yes. Berea requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — a dedicated Short-Term Rental (STR) permit is required under Ordinance 9-8 (Codified Ordinance 1331). Permit deadline: August 31 (annually). Separate long-term rental permit also required under BCO 1331.02(a), effective April 20, 2026, for all 1–2 family dwellings..

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Berea?

Short-term rental hosts in Berea are subject to the following tax obligations: 6.5% Cuyahoga County Bed Tax (on listing price including cleaning fees, for stays ≤29 nights) + 6% Ohio State Occupancy Tax (for transient guests staying <30 consecutive days). Berea does not levy its own city-specific STR tax. Approximate combined lodging tax burden: ~12.5% (county + state). Airbnb.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Berea?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Berea may face enforcement. Violation of BCO 1331.02(a) (operating without a permit) is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree under Ohio law. If three or more violations occur at the same premises within a 24-month period, the property can be declared a criminal nuisance. The city.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Berea?

Berea is a city without hotels, and STR regulation is being driven proactively ahead of a potential surge in short-term rental activity tied to the Cleveland Browns' stadium relocation to nearby Brook Park and Baldwin Wallace University's new on-campus living requirement displacing student renters. The ordinance grew from citizen feedback and is focused on preserving neighborhood character, parkin

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