Hocking County commission directs drafts for short‑term rental permits, impact fees and site standards

The Hocking County Zoning Commission voted Thursday, April 24, 2025, to ask staff and its consultant to prepare draft regulations on short‑term rental permits, impact fees and site‑specific standards and return the drafts for public review.

The move follows six township open‑house meetings held in March and April that attracted roughly 60 participants per meeting and a total turnout the consultant described as about 230 people. Consultant David Baird of American Structure Point summarized the public input and recommended a targeted regulatory approach rather than countywide zoning.

Baird said the highest concern reported across meetings and a public board exercise was short‑term rentals, followed by nuisance commercial uses, natural‑asset preservation, affordable housing and undesirable land uses. He told the commission that the sessions produced consistent, countywide feedback and that many participants favored regulation tailored to specific…