(Plain Press June 2024) At its May 20^th meeting Cleveland City Council introduced two new pieces of legislation, one to regulate short-term rentals and another to help reduce homelessness. Council’s next meeting will be Monday, June 3^rd.

   Regulating Short-Term Rentals: Legislation that enacts a licensing procedure and regulations for the use and operation of short-term rentals (such as Airbnb and VRBO) in residential neighborhoods was introduced. Ordinance No. 588-2024. The new regulations include: • Requiring all short-term rentals be licensed. License application and annual renewal $150. • Rentals cannot be advertised without a license. • A local contact must always be available the property is used as a short-term rental and must be able to be onsite in one hour if contacted. • Proof of at least $300,000 in liability insurance required. • STR applications will be reviewed by different departments for approval and council members will be notified of applicants. • STRs cannot be rented to any guest for more than 30 consecutive days or less than 24 hours. • The maximum number of people is 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional people. • Density limitation. In a residential district, STRs are limited to at least one or no more than 15% of the total residential homes on the block or units in a multi-unit building. • Booking agents are required to register and provide name, address, phone number of at least one person who’s in charge of occupancy taxes and is available to take any action to address violations of owner’s or operator’s responsibilities. • Fines will be imposed for violations of the law, including failure to obtain a license. The civil penalties are in addition to any other civil or criminal penalties that may be charged.

   Reducing Homelessness: Legislation was introduced to contract with Clutch Consulting Group, the Cleveland Mediation Center, and various non-profit organizations for the purpose of developing and implementing direct-to housing practices to eliminate unsheltered homelessness in the City of Cleveland. The cost is $2 million. Ord. No. 595-2024.