Overview

Yes: short‑term rentals (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO) are allowed in Bellefontaine and across Logan County. As of June 2025, Logan County expanded its existing 3% county lodging (bed) tax to include short‑term rentals effective January 1, 2026. The tax applies countywide, including within the City of Bellefontaine. No city-specific STR licensing, zoning, or operating rules were identified in the sources provided.

What to expect: you will be responsible for registering your STR, collecting the 3% lodging tax from guests at the time of payment, and remitting those collections to the County. The County is implementing an online registration and remittance platform (Deckard Rentalscapes) and will communicate directly with owners ahead of the 1/1/2026 effective date.

How to Start an STR in This Market

• Confirm zoning and HOA rules
  • Check with the City of Bellefontaine (Planning/Code Enforcement) to verify that short‑term rental use is permitted in your zone. Obtain any written determinations that apply to your property (download or screenshot from the city portal and keep in your files).
• Prepare for county lodging tax compliance
  • Logan County will require registration and lodging tax collection/remittance starting in 2026. Watch for County notices and guidance on the Deckard Rentalscapes platform (registration link to be provided by the County).
  • Set up a system to itemize and collect the 3% lodging tax on every reservation. Retain guest invoices/receipts and booking confirmations to support your filings and audits.
• Standard business setup
  • If operating as a business entity, register with the Ohio Secretary of State and obtain any federal/EIN filings as applicable.
• Set up your guest experience
  • Include the lodging tax disclosure on your listing and booking confirmations; post the tax line clearly on your check‑in documents; ensure host payouts are net of the tax.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City (Bellefontaine)
  • No city-specific STR license or permit is identified in the provided sources. Confirm zoning/occupancy and any other local requirements with City Planning/Code Enforcement before listing.
• County (Logan County) — lodging tax only
  • Registration and filings will be handled through the County’s compliance platform (Deckard Rentalscapes). Expect to provide:
    • Property address and parcel number
    • STR platform account(s) and listing URL(s)
    • Owner/manager contact information
    • Bank/account details for remittance (via the online portal)
  • Payment: 3% lodging tax on transient stays (pass‑through to guests).
• State (Ohio) — overview
  • Ohio law has permitted counties to apply lodging taxes to short‑term rentals since 2001. Thirty‑two of Ohio’s 88 counties now collect lodging tax from STRs. Logan County is updating its rules to align with this authority.
• Keep on file
  • Zoning verification or correspondence from the City
  • Platform confirmation of listings
  • Guest invoices showing the lodging tax line item
  • Registration confirmation from the County platform (when available)
  • Remittance confirmations and records

Specific Regulations (City/County/State)

• City (Bellefontaine)
  • No city-specific STR requirements were identified in the provided sources. Confirm with the City to avoid missing any local zoning or occupancy restrictions.
• County (Logan County)
  • Lodging tax: 3% on all transient lodging, including STRs (Airbnb/VRBO).
  • Scope: expanded from “lodging establishments with 5 or more rooms” to all lodging establishments, even single‑room rentals.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2026.
  • Owner role: collect the tax from guests; remit online via the County’s compliance platform (Deckard Rentalscapes). Registration materials and step‑by‑step instructions will be mailed/emailed in 2025.
  • Revenue use: managed by the Logan County Visitors Bureau for tourism marketing, local tourism enhancements, community events/sponsorships, and broader community projects; targeted reinvestment in Indian Lake area improvements is part of the plan.
• State (Ohio)
  • Since 2001, Ohio law has allowed counties to apply lodging taxes to short‑term rentals under Ohio Revised Code provisions. Thirty‑two of Ohio’s 88 counties now collect lodging tax from STRs, signaling a mature, statewide compliance trend.

Contact Information

• Logan County Visitors Bureau (primary contact for lodging tax questions)
  • Director: Anna Louden
  • Email: anna@visitlogan.com
  • Phone: not provided in the sources
  • Website: visitlogan.com
• Logan County Commissioners / Auditor (lodging tax administration — via the Visitors Bureau for STRs)
  • Phone/email: not provided in the sources; owners will receive mailed/emailed instructions ahead of 2026.

Source Pages

• Logan County Commissioners Approve Lodging Tax Amendment to Include Short-Term Rentals
  • bellefontaine.ohiodailydigital.com/news/logan-county-commissioners-approve-lodging-tax-amendment-to-include-short-term-rentals
• PDF Amendment (LCLODG tax amendment — County document)
  • bellefontaine.ohiodailydigital.com/uploads/1/4/9/6/149605265/res_138-25_amendexistinglclogg.pdf
• City of Bellefontaine 2023 Audit (Ohio Auditor)
  • ohioauditor.gov/Auditsearch/Reports/2024/City_of_Bellefontaine_2023-Logan_FINAL.pdf

Notes

• This guide reflects only the content of the sources provided. If additional City of Bellefontaine or Logan County guidance is released (e.g., detailed registration forms or deadlines), follow those official instructions.