Hocking County planners favor targeted regulations over full zoning to curb short-term rental impacts

Hocking County officials and their consultant told the county zoning commission that public feedback on short-term rentals shows strong concern about growth and service impacts, but not a clear mandate for full zoning.

David Baird, a consultant with American Construction Point, told the commission that a recent county survey drew about 400 responses and that 68% of respondents said they want zoning to slow the growth of short-term rentals. “We had over 400 responses,” Baird said, and he framed the coming township meetings as an effort to ask residents “what is the problem?” rather than to present a prepackaged solution.

Why it matters: Commissioners and presenters said rapid tourism-related growth is stressing local services and changing neighborhoods. Short-term rental owners and residents in more-populated townships such as Falls Township were strongly represented in the survey and at a stakeholder session at the Logan Theater, and planners said the next step is targeted public engagement to clarify specific problems countywide.

Key details: Baird and county staff outlined regulatory tools that do not require adopting traditional zoning. Those options include (1) a short-term rental registration upgraded to a permit process with a required 24-hour local contact; (2)…