Hocking County consultant outlines draft short‑term rental rules focusing on safety, access and tax collection

At a recent Hocking County meeting, consultant David Barrett of American StructurePoint presented a draft regulatory package for short‑term rentals that the zoning group will use to craft an ordinance. Barrett said the package focuses on a short‑term rental permit, impact fees and site standards and emphasized that the draft will prioritize safety and clarity for emergency responders.

“The devil’s in the details,” Barrett told the commission, summarizing the project’s approach. He said the fees under consideration “are not meant to be any way to make up any loss of revenue … The fees will be put in place … only to cover our expenses.”

Barrett outlined several specific permit requirements under consideration: a 24‑hour local contact who lives in Hocking County; clear addressing and a simple site plan showing the location of individual units (for example, cabins labeled A, B, C) so dispatchers and first responders can find buildings; occupancy limits tied to sleeping capacity; and a requirement that existing decks, balconies and similar elevated structures be certified as safe by a licensed professional (for existing structures) before a permit is issued. Barrett said that certification would be…