Council requests research on short-term rental regulation amid state-level preemption concerns

Painesville City Council discussed short-term rentals and directed city administration to gather examples and options for local regulation after hearing about recent developments in neighboring municipalities and potential state legislation that would limit local authority.

A staff speaker summarized that many nearby communities are considering or adopting restrictions: examples cited included six-month moratoriums or full bans in other cities; Mentor was offered as an example that adopted a ban. Staff said the state legislature previously considered a bill that would curtail local home-rule authority over short-term rentals and that a similar bill is being reintroduced this year, creating pressure for local governments to propose regulations before the state preempts them.

Council members flagged several issues they want staff to address: a consistent local definition of short-term rental (commonly cited as stays under 30 days), licensing or registration processes, parking impacts, limits tied to number of bedrooms/guests, inspection regimes, safety and police impacts, and whether any lodging or transient occupancy tax should apply to rentals. Council also discussed the lodging-tax measure under consideration and how it could apply to transient rentals beyond hotels.

Council did not enact a moratorium or ban; instead, by consensus the council asked the administration to research ordinances used by other jurisdictions, to examine distinctions in Painesville’s code between inns, lodging houses and bed-and-breakfasts, and to return with options and recommendations (including possible licensing or registration schemes). Several members said they opposed a full ban but want reasonable local regulatory tools that address safety, parking and neighborhood impacts.