Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Celina, OH?

• Allowed only if the use is lawful under Celina’s Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance does not list “short‑term rentals” as a standalone residential use. The closest permitted hospitality classification is Hotel/Motel, which is defined as “a building in which lodging or boarding and lodging are provided and offered to the public for compensation.”
• For non‑owner‑occupied rentals (e.g., a typical Airbnb), the most compliant path in Celina is to operate under the Hotel/Motel category and obtain the approvals that govern lodging businesses.
• Bed and Breakfast is separately defined (owner‑occupied, no more than four rooms) and is not a substitute for a non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rental operation.

How to start a short‑term rental business in Celina

1. Confirm zoning and permitted use
   • Confirm the parcel’s zoning allows lodging uses (generally a commercial or mixed‑use district). If not, a conditional use (Planning Commission) or variance (Board of Zoning Appeals) may be required.
2. Obtain a Zoning Certificate (Zoning Permit)
   • Submit a complete written application with a plot plan and any required plans to the Zoning Inspector. Certificates are required for construction/alteration, changes in use, occupancy of vacant land, and changes to nonconforming uses. No excavation or construction permit will be issued unless the proposed use and plans conform to the Zoning Ordinance. Certificates expire one year after issuance unless construction reaches 50% completion.
3. Secure any required approvals prior to certificate issuance
   • If a conditional use approval, site plan review, overlay district approval, design review certificate, or nonconforming use approval is required, the Zoning Inspector cannot issue a Zoning Certificate until those review bodies direct issuance.
4. Complete any applicable site plan and design reviews
   • New development and substantial expansions must undergo site plan review; requirements scale with size. Design Review District projects require a Certificate of Design Approval.
5. Apply for a business license/registration
   • Obtain any local business license/registration applicable to lodging operations. Follow the city’s license issuance and renewal process; display and maintain license credentials as required.
6. Comply with administration and enforcement requirements
   • Meet standards for inspections, recordkeeping, and re‑issuance/revocation conditions. Abide by any posted fee schedules for permits, approvals, and reviews.
7. State and tax compliance
   • Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation for sales, use, and employer withholding as applicable. Collect/remit state sales tax on transient lodging, and any applicable employer withholding if staff are hired.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Zoning Certificate (Zoning Permit) from the Zoning Inspector
  • Application with plot plan (including street access, lot dimensions, existing/proposed structures, and compliance statement).
  • Survey by a registered surveyor may be required if complete and accurate information is not readily available.
  • Approval by required review bodies prior to issuance.
• Conditional Use approval (if lodging use is not principally permitted in the subject district)
  • Application by owner/agent/lessee with boundary survey, site plan, and supporting documentation addressing standards for harmony, traffic/safety, utilities, economic welfare, and operational impacts.
• Site Plan Review (as applicable)
  • Scaled plan detailing area, zoning, rights‑of‑way/easements, topography, utilities, building locations and dimensions, parking/loading, landscaping, signage, and phasing.
• Design Review (if in Design Review District)
  • Certificate of Design Approval prior to Zoning Certificate issuance.
• Business license/registration
  • Lodging operation license/registration and any associated fees; display requirements per local ordinance.
• State tax registrations
  • Sales/use tax and employer withholding registrations with the Ohio Department of Taxation as applicable.

Specific regulations: City, County, and State

• City of Celina (see Zoning Code citations below)
  • Hotel/Motel defined as lodging provided to the public for compensation.
  • Bed and Breakfast defined as owner‑occupied dwelling with no more than four rooms; not equivalent to a non‑owner‑occupied STR.
  • Zoning Certificates required for changes in use and occupancy; required prior to construction/alteration and for operation of vacant land or changed uses.
  • Conditional Uses: Planning Commission authorization required when lodging use is conditionally permitted, with public notice and standards for compatibility, safety, and community welfare.
  • Site Plan Review: Required for new lodging development and substantial expansions; review timelines and criteria apply.
  • Design Review: Projects in Design Review Districts require prior approval and adherence to special design standards.
  • Overlay Districts: If a site lies within an Overlay District, site development plan approval is required; standards address compatibility, access management, landscaping, and traffic impacts.
  • Expiration: Zoning Certificate expires one year after issuance unless construction is at least 50% complete.
• County (Mercer County)
  • If a county lodging tax applies, register and remit per county procedures. Contact the county auditor/treasurer for current requirements. If Celina or Mercer County lodging tax is not present, STR operators still owe state sales tax on transient lodging.
• State of Ohio
  • No statewide ban on short‑term rentals; compliance is largely local.
  • Local governments may regulate STRs. Proposed legislation (House Bill 563) would limit local bans and certain regulatory constraints, but it was not enacted at the time of the provided materials.
  • If local licensing is not available or lodging is not permitted, forming a LLC may provide asset protection and tax structuring benefits but does not override local land‑use restrictions.

Key zoning code sections for lodging uses (City of Celina)

• Hotel/Motel (defined as a lodging use offered to the public for compensation)
• Bed and Breakfast (owner‑occupied; maximum four rooms)
• Zoning Certificates (Sections 1144.02–1144.04)
• Conditional Uses (Sections 1145.02–1145.06)
• Site Plan Review (Sections 1146.01–1146.05)
• Design Review (Chapter 1148; Certificate of Design Approval)
• Overlay Districts (Chapter 1147; site development plans required)
• Administration and Enforcement (Chapter 1143; Zoning Inspector, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals)

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

• City of Celina – Zoning Inspector / Safety Service Director
  • Phone: 419‑586‑2210
  • Email: Not available
  • Address: Celina City Hall, 420 Court St., Celina, OH 45822
• Celina Planning Commission (for conditional uses and site plan review)
  • Phone: 419‑586‑2210 (City Hall main line)
  • Address: Celina City Hall, 420 Court St., Celina, OH 45822
• Celina Board of Zoning Appeals (for variances and appeals)
  • Phone: 419‑586‑2210 (City Hall main line)
  • Address: Celina City Hall, 420 Court St., Celina, OH 45822
• Ohio Department of Taxation
  • Phone: Not available
  • Registration and filing guidance: tax.ohio.gov

Links to source pages (provided content)

• Celina Zoning Code (PDF): celinaohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CelinaZoningCode.pdf
• Ohio STR legal overview: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-ohio
• Ohio Department of Taxation: tax.ohio.gov

Note: This guide is based solely on the provided documents and is informational; confirm all requirements with the Zoning Inspector and relevant review bodies before operating.