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 problems rather than a full countywide zoning map that would prohibit uses in designated areas.

Public commenters at the meeting raised a range of concerns about permitting and enforcement. Several residents said they feared losing property rights or that new rules would disproportionately affect small local owners rather than large commercial operators. One resident told the commission, "I don't want to lose any rights in that process."

Commissioners and staff identified several recurring, practical issues to address in draft rules: emergency access and driveway standards for remote rental properties, a 24‑hour local contact for short‑term rentals, objective noise standards (decibel levels measured at the property line), visible property numbering for first responders, and limits on occupancy to reduce large, unpermitted gatherings. Baird also recommended researching building‑code and plumbing‑permit practices in Ohio and other jurisdictions as part of drafting.

The commission also discussed a separate effort to develop a special‑event permitting process led by the Emergency Management Association (EMA) after multiple, simultaneous events last year caused traffic backups that hindered first‑responder access. Mark Edgar, the EMA director identified in the meeting, is coordinating that work; the commission agreed it would support and defer to the EMA on that item.

After discussion, a motion to direct staff and the consultant to prepare drafts for short‑term rental permits, impact fees and site‑specific standards passed. The motion was made by Steve Buckley and seconded by Commissioner Michael Linton; the chair called for the ayes and said "Motion carries." Earlier in the meeting the commission also approved the March minutes (motion by Steve Butler; second by Bruce Siebert).

Baird cautioned that "the devil's in the details," saying the next step should be carefully tailored drafts followed by public review and edits. Commissioners said they expect additional rounds of public comment and revision before any ordinance would be forwarded for commissioner action or placed on a ballot (if required by state law for zoning changes). The consultant and staff will prepare drafts and a public timeline for review.

Next steps: staff and American Structure Point will prepare drafts addressing the three items and return them to the commission for review and public comment; a schedule for public engagement and subsequent commission consideration will be provided once drafts are available.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of March minutes: Motion by Steve Butler; second by Bruce Siebert; outcome: approved (chair reported "Aye. Motion carries.").

- Direction to draft regulations on short‑term rental permits, impact fees and site‑specific standards: Motion by Steve Buckley; second by Commissioner Michael Linton; outcome: approved (chair reported "Aye. Motion carries.").