Technically speaking, a short-term rental (STR) is any residential dwelling or part thereof where overnight lodging is offered to the general public in exchange for a fee with intended occupancy of less than thirty (30) consecutive days in any twelve (12) month period. Basically anything you find on sites like Airbnb and VRBO is an STR.

STRs give visitors additional choices on where to stay, they can provide property owners an alternative income stream, and they could potentially result in investment of underutilized areas and properties.

STRs have the potential to disrupt or alter neighborhoods by causing changes to things such as noise and traffic. STRs also have the potential to increase rental property rates if property owners are not required to stay on site.

The City of Dayton currently does not have a system in place to register or regulate STRs, and so we address concerns from owners, users, and neighbors on a case-by-case basis.

In the City of Dayton, we aim to make decisions driven by data. To ensure that we know the overall scale of and demand for STRs in Dayton, as well as the impact on our neighborhoods, our first step will be to contract with a third party to assist in the development of a database of STR locations. Ultimately, this may include host compliance monitoring, implementing a registration process for short-term rentals, and the adoption of regulations.

If you own a residential property, chances are that you could rent it out short-term. It is up to property owners and operators to ensure their STR fits with the neighborhood and does not cause disruption or a nuisance.

Reach out to City of Dayton Planner Jen Hanauer at jennifer.hanauer@daytonohio.gov or call 937-333-2005.