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Port Clinton resident urges limits on short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods
Summary
A 45-year resident urged Port Clinton City Council to limit or ban short-term rentals in residential districts, arguing they harm home values, safety and neighborhood character; Law Director and council members clarified which city codes regulate rentals and next steps for zoning language review.
Kim Bender, a 45-year resident of Port Clinton, urged City Council on July 8 to limit or eliminate short-term rentals in residential districts, saying such rentals damage home values and personal safety and alter the character of long-established neighborhoods. "When an individual buys a home in a residential district that comes with an expectation that there won’t be a business moving in next door," Bender said during public comment.
Bender told Council she attended a presentation by Larry Fletcher of Shores & Islands Ohio about state bills that would reduce local regulation of short-term rentals and said she believes many communities maintain local rules for housing and safety. She also warned that significant loss of single-family homes could endanger Port Clinton's status as a city if the population falls below 5,000.
Law Director Ms. Shenker told the audience the Planning Commission will consider removing the final sentence from the Zoning definition of "dwelling" (Port Clinton Codified Ordinances Chapter 1125.02(74)). She clarified that, under the city's code structure, short-term rentals are primarily regulated outside zoning: Chapter 171 (transient occupancy tax, "bed tax") and Chapter 735 (short-term rental registration and rules). "Short-term rentals are not regulated under Zoning whatsoever," Shenker said, describing the Planning Commission's role as review and recommendation to Council; any change would then return to Council for a public hearing and decision.
Council member Beth Gillman noted the city adopted Chapter 735 in December 2023, establishing a yearly registration process requiring owners to self-report safety measures, submit photos and comply with rules on noise, parking and maximum occupancy tied to true bedroom counts. The chapter gives the Auditor and the Safety & Service Director authority to investigate complaints and, if violations persist, revoke the certificate to operate as a short-term rental.
Resident Drew Gatliff, who also addressed Council, said the earlier transient-occupancy language historically targeted hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts and that he would support reasonable regulations for residential neighborhoods. He asked what the July 10 Planning Commission review would accomplish; Shenker reiterated the Commission's advisory role and that Council will decide whether to follow its recommendation.
Treasurer figures delivered at the meeting provide fiscal context to the topic: Bed Tax receipts were reported at $86,926.62, Watercraft Dock Tax $21,028.75, and short-term rental registration fees $27,500.00.
Next steps: the Planning Commission is scheduled to review the proposed change to the zoning definition on July 10; any recommendation would come to Council for a public hearing and possible ordinance drafting.
