On Monday, Reynoldsburg City Council unanimously passed regulations for short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo after complaints from residents about parties and other issues.
Local officials in central Ohio communities have pushed for restrictions on short-term rental properties to protect guests and surrounding neighborhoods.
On July 4, 2025, a shooting during a party at a short-term rental in a Columbus neighborhood near Nationwide Children's Hospital claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy and injured five others.
Reynoldsburg City Council President Bhuwan Pyakurel said after receiving complaints about short-term rentals, public safety became a main priority when dealing with renters from outside the city.
“In Reynoldsburg, we don't have issues about shootings and things of the nature happening, but we had some experience lately in our city,” Pyakurel said. “Outside folks coming and renting and throwing some parties around. And if they are staying, those things continue, then we might have a bigger problem in the future.”
The legislation requires rental owners to obtain a yearly city permit for $225. The property must be the owner’s primary residence or owned by them.
Guests must book a minimum of three nights, prohibiting one- and two-night stays. Occupants are restricted to two people per bedroom. The number of vehicles must not exceed garage-capacity, two in the driveway and two on the street.
Rental permits can be suspended or revoked over noise violations, ignoring guest requirements, delinquent city taxes or if guests venture on neighboring private properties within 500 feet uninvited.
Cities like Dublin, Gahanna and Hilliard enforce similar requirements, guest rules and safety guidelines. Others cities including Upper Arlington, Westerville and Worthington have banned short-term rentals completely.
