Shaker Heights clarifies housing code to expressly ban short‑term rentals under 30 days; council asks staff to plan enforcement

Shaker Heights City Council on June 23 adopted an ordinance adding language to the housing code to explicitly prohibit short'term rentals of less than 30 days in residential properties and neighborhoods, and passed the measure as an emergency.

The law director, Director Gruber, told council the city's ordinances already treat rentals shorter than 30 days as a hotel use that is not permitted in residential neighborhoods, but that the proposed changes put the prohibition into the housing code in clear terms to avoid confusion.

"The city ordinances already prohibit short term rentals of less than 30 days in residential neighborhoods and residential properties," Director Gruber said during his presentation.

Why it matters: Council said it wants the ordinance text to be unambiguous in advance of possible state legislation that could limit local authority. Councilmembers also emphasized the practical need to notify platforms and clarify enforcement procedures for properties currently listed on short'term rental sites.

Discussion and enforcement concerns

Councilmember Constance Moore said the ordinance itself is supported but said it will require public communications and a plan for enforcement: "I do think it's gonna require some public communications and perhaps a plan for enforcement." Moore noted there are active listings on Airbnb and VRBO that staff review on complaint, and she asked staff to consider direct notification to listing platforms to block prohibited listings.

Director Gruber and other staff said enforcement will lean on the Building and Housing Department'which issues rental licenses for month'to'month or longer rentals'and has inspection and enforcement tools'and that planning will remain complaint'driven. Staff suggested coordinating with Building and Housing on software and inspection workflows and exploring outreach to platforms so listings for fewer than 30 days are not permitted.

Council action and next steps

Council moved to adopt the ordinance amending the housing code (new sections cited in the agenda materials) and declared it an emergency so the clarified prohibition would be effective immediately. The motion passed unanimously.

Council directed staff to develop an enforcement and notification plan and to report back with options for active monitoring and platform notification. The ordinance also reconciles a family definition in the housing code with the zoning code to reduce confusion about permitted occupancy.

Ending: The ordinance clarifies that rentals of 30 days or more remain permissible when a proper rental license is obtained; the council asked staff to return with an implementation plan that includes outreach to listing platforms and a clear complaint'driven enforcement pathway.