Hocking County committee reviews draft short‑term rental rules focused on safety, taxes and noise

Consultant David Barrett of American StructurePoint presented a draft outline of short‑term rental regulations at a Hocking County zoning commission meeting, focusing on safety, tax collection and nuisance controls.

Barrett said the draft package being developed includes a short‑term rental permit, impact fees, a special event permit and site standards. He told the commission the materials are an outline of requirements the county could adopt, not a finished ordinance.

The draft short‑term rental permit would require a 24‑hour contact person who lives in Hocking County, a site plan or map that shows individual units (for multi‑cabin sites), and standardized addressing tied to a public road rather than a private driveway so emergency responders can locate units. "The devil's in the details," Barrett said, adding the project team reviewed other jurisdictions’ rules and intends to be transparent about any fee amounts before adoption.

The draft also proposes occupancy limits and, for some existing buildings, an engineer or licensed inspector to certify decks, balconies and similar elevated structures are safe for the posted occupancy. Barrett said…