Port Clinton short-term rental tracker
What Port Clinton's short-term rental rules say today, what a city committee has proposed, and a checklist for the renewal window that opens November 1.
Status as of October 28, 2026. This page tracks the City of Port Clinton only. Catawba Island Township, Danbury Township, Marblehead, and the islands have their own rules; see Lake Erie short-term rental rules. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Rules in force today (Chapter 735)
Port Clinton regulates short-term rentals in Chapter 735 of its Codified Ordinances, adopted by Ordinance 24-23 (passed December 12, 2023). Source: Ordinance 24-23, second amendment, as amended 12/12/23 (city-hosted PDF), read Oct 26, 2026.
- Operating certificate required. Applications go to the City Auditor. A certificate expires on the last day of February each year, and fees are not prorated.
- Fees: $300 for a new operating certificate; $100 to renew an existing one each year (Ordinance 24-23, read Oct 26, 2026).
- Occupancy: no more than two overnight occupants per sleeping room, plus two (Ordinance 24-23, read Oct 26, 2026).
- Safety equipment: working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors where applicable, and fire extinguishers, with photos and locations in the application.
- Insurance: a certificate of insurance showing the unit is insured as a short-term rental, with coverage of not less than $300,000 (Ordinance 24-23, read Oct 26, 2026).
- Lodging tax: a city excise tax of 3% on rents (Ordinance 24-23, 735.10, read Oct 26, 2026). Ottawa County also has a lodging tax; see the rules page.
- Changes in contacts: the operator must update the Auditor within seven days of a change to operator, local contact, or management company information.
- Not transferable: a certificate does not pass to a buyer. A new owner applies for a new certificate before renting.
- Suspension: an operator has 15 days after a written violation notice to come into compliance; reinstatement after suspension costs $300 (Ordinance 24-23, read Oct 26, 2026).
What has been proposed (not law yet)
On September 22, 2026, the city's Economic and Community Development Committee agreed to send zoning definition changes and Chapter 735 registration amendments to the Law Director for drafting, then on to the Planning Commission and City Council. Source: Citizen Portal summary, Sep 22, 2026, read Oct 26, 2026.
| Item | In force today | Proposed (Sep 22, 2026 committee) |
|---|---|---|
| Cap on non-owner-occupied rentals | None in Chapter 735 | A combined 5% non-owner cap |
| New certificate fee | $300 | $100 owner-occupied, $500 non-owner-occupied |
| Renewal fee | $100 | $100 owner-occupied, $500 non-owner-occupied |
| Stage | Adopted Dec 12, 2023 | Sent for ordinance drafting; still needs Planning Commission and Council action |
Proposed fees: Citizen Portal, "Committee endorses simplified fee schedule," Sep 22, 2026, read Oct 26, 2026. The committee's agreement on fees was described as tentative.
August 2026 working draft (not adopted): a committee draft discussed a 5% cap on short-term rentals in the R1, R3, and R4 zones. Existing legal rentals could continue, but once the city is over the cap, certificates would stop transferring when a property is sold. A 500-foot spacing rule between rentals was also debated. Source: Citizen Portal, Aug 11, 2026.
Latest step: on Sep 22, 2026, the committee forwarded the 5% cap and the $100 / $500 fee schedule to the Law Director for drafting. As of Oct 27, 2026, no Council reading had taken place. Check City Council agendas and minutes before relying on any of it.
November 1 renewal checklist
Under Chapter 735, renewal applications are accepted November 1 through the last day of February. The city asks for applications about 30 days before expiration. A renewal filed March 1 or later is treated as a new application, at the new-certificate fee. The renewed certificate runs March 1 through the last day of February. (Ordinance 24-23, 735.05(b) and 735.07, read Oct 26, 2026.)
- Mark the window: opens November 1; aim to file by the end of January.
- Confirm operator, authorized representative, local responsible person, and management company contact details. The city verifies these at every renewal.
- Get an updated certificate of insurance showing short-term rental coverage of at least $300,000.
- Test smoke and CO detectors, check extinguisher dates, and retake photos if anything moved.
- Confirm the posted maximum occupancy still matches the sleeping rooms.
- Make sure city income tax, lodging tax filings, and utility bills are current. Delinquent bills can hold up compliance.
- Pay the renewal fee in effect when you file ($100 under current law). Watch Council action: if the proposed $100 / $500 schedule is adopted, the fee for a non-owner-occupied unit would change.
- Keep a copy of the filed application and receipt.
Questions go to the City Auditor and the Planning and Zoning office, (419) 734-5522 ext. 250 (checked Oct 26, 2026).
Homes of Toledo is an information site, not a brokerage. It tracks rental rules and home watch topics as research; it does not manage rentals.
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