Hocking Hills Short-Term Rental Regulations: What Investors Need to Know

Updated July 21, 2026

If you are considering buying a short-term rental in Hocking Hills, understanding the local regulations should be part of your research from the beginning, not something you investigate after closing.

Before purchasing a short-term rental, it's important to understand which city, township, or county has jurisdiction over the property, as regulations can vary depending on its location. A cabin inside the City of Logan may be subject to different rules than a property in an unincorporated area of Hocking County. Lodging-tax, health, septic, building, fire, and other requirements may also apply separately.

Hocking County is currently considering a proposed countywide short-term rental ordinance. However, as of July 21, 2026, that ordinance has not been adopted and remains in draft form.

The county's most recently published version is dated January 29, 2026. Because it is still a proposal, the requirements described below are not current countywide law and could change before any final version is adopted.

Not Every "Hocking Hills" Property is Located in Hocking County

It's important to remember that "Hocking Hills" refers to a geographic region rather than a governmental jurisdiction. While many cabins are located in Hocking County, others are situated in neighboring counties and may be subject to different zoning, permitting, and short-term rental requirements.

The information in this article applies only to properties located in Hocking County and, where noted, the City of Logan. If you're considering a property in a neighboring county that is marketed as being in the Hocking Hills area, different regulations may apply.

Before relying on any of the information in this guide, verify which county and municipality the property is actually located in, not just how it's marketed. If the property is outside Hocking County, you'll need to research the regulations for that specific jurisdiction.

Where the Proposed Hocking County Ordinance Stands

The demand for vacation rentals in Hocking Hills has been on the rise. According to recent statistics, the occupancy rates for vacation rentals in the area have consistently exceeded 70%. This high demand translates to a lucrative opportunity for investors.

Hocking County has been working through multiple versions of a proposed short-term rental ordinance intended to address property safety, emergency access, and responsible operation.

On February 19, 2026, Hocking County Regional Planning presented the proposed short-term rental ordinance to the Hocking County Board of Commissioners for consideration. As of July 21, 2026, the ordinance has not been adopted, and the county continues to identify the January 29, 2026 version posted on its website as a draft.

Because the ordinance has not yet been adopted, the information below is intended to help investors understand the county's current proposal, not to describe regulations that are currently in effect. The final ordinance, if adopted, could differ from the draft discussed in this article.

The Proposed STR Permit Process

Under the January 29 draft, a property would need an annual short-term rental permit from the Hocking County Regional Planning Office to operate legally under the proposed county program. The proposed annual permit and renewal fee is $50.

The proposed application requirements include:

• Owner and local-contact information

• At least $1 million in liability insurance

• Confirmation that county and township taxes and late fees are current

• Hocking County lodging-tax registration

• Applicable Health Department compliance documentation

• A site plan identifying the buildings and STR addresses on the property

• A Bureau of Criminal Investigation background check for the applicant

• Documentation that the property qualifies as a dwelling unit

• A signed acknowledgment of the ordinance's operational standards

• An initial property inspection (a third-party vendor's inspection charge, if used, would be added to the permit cost)

For properties with five or more bedrooms, the draft also calls for documentation of annual water sampling through the Hocking County Health Department. Because the ordinance is not yet adopted, buyers should confirm the current health and water-testing requirements directly with the Health Department rather than relying solely on the draft language.

Proposed Operational and Property Standards

The proposal goes beyond an application and permit fee. It also includes physical and operational standards that could affect whether an existing cabin is ready to operate, or whether improvements would be needed.

A local contact available around the clock. The applicant or designated local contact would need to be available 24 hours a day and capable of responding on site within 60 minutes after being notified of a complaint or emergency. Owners could designate more than one contact, but the combined schedule would need to provide continuous coverage. For out-of-state investors, this requirement could make a dependable local property manager or caretaker especially important.

Parking requirements. The draft calls for enough on-site parking to accommodate at least one vehicle for every four permitted occupants. Each qualifying space would need to measure at least 9 feet by 18 feet and be located on the same private property as the STR. Space within a public right-of-way or private driveway would not count toward the required parking total. This may be especially relevant when evaluating cabins reached by long or narrow drives, properties with limited turnaround space, or homes originally designed for fewer guests.

Driveway and emergency-access standards. A property would need to comply with Hocking County's driveway standards so emergency-service vehicles and equipment could reach the site throughout the year. A property that could not meet the driveway requirement might be eligible to apply for a variance, but approval would not be automatic. For buyers looking at remote cabins, steep drives, or shared access roads, emergency access is something to investigate during the inspection and due-diligence period, not after the property is purchased.

Sleeping-area requirements. The draft includes detailed safety standards for every area advertised or intended as a guest sleeping location, including a 30-inch walkway between sleeping furniture, at least 27 inches between the lower mattress and the bottom of an upper bunk, at least 36 inches between the upper mattress and the ceiling, a prohibition on triple-decker or higher bunk beds, and two points of ingress or egress for each designated sleeping location. These provisions could affect cabins that maximize guest capacity by placing multiple beds or bunks into lofts, recreation rooms, or other compact spaces.

Deck safety. Attached decks would be required to meet the structural standards described in the ordinance, including specified live-load and dead-load capacities. Because decks, elevated porches, and outdoor gathering spaces are common in Hocking Hills cabins, buyers should pay close attention to their condition, construction history, and available permits or documentation.

Landscaping buffers. Under the draft, a prospective STR with a dwelling located within 200 feet of an adjoining parcel would generally need landscaping between the properties, a mixture of shade trees, evergreens, and shrubs, or a four-foot earth mound as an alternative. Existing natural vegetation might satisfy the requirement if the STR administrator determines that it creates a sufficient seasonal buffer. This is one of the provisions that could create a meaningful additional expense for some properties, depending on the final ordinance and how it is administered.

Address and directional signage. The proposal would require each dwelling unit to have address identification visible from the street or internal driveway using reflective material or continuous exterior illumination. Properties with multiple cabins or branching internal drives could also be required to install directional signs so guests and emergency responders can identify each unit.

Guest information and house rules. STR owners would be required to post a guest conduct and information notice in the kitchen, covering local-contact information, garbage-disposal instructions, emergency and utility information, an emergency exit map, and a prohibition against guest target shooting on the property. The principal renter would also need to acknowledge receiving the rules, although an electronic signature could satisfy the proposed requirement.

Renter age, rental period, and building standards. The January draft states that the principal renter must be at least 18 years old and that the minimum rental period would be 18 hours. It also requires STRs to meet applicable county and State of Ohio building and fire standards. These details are worth noting because some earlier public discussions and media reports referenced different possible restrictions. Investors should rely on the most recent official draft, not an older proposal or social-media summary, and remember that even the current draft could still change before adoption.

The City of Logan Has Separate STR Rules

Properties located inside the City of Logan require separate research. Logan's existing zoning code allows STRs in certain residential, business, and manufacturing districts, subject to location, licensing, parking, management, and occupancy requirements. Among the city's rules:

• STRs are permitted only in designated zoning districts (R-2, R-2-B, B-1, B-2, M-1, and M-2)

• Separation requirements apply in several districts

• An owner living more than 25 miles from the city must designate a qualifying local agent, manager, or caretaker

• The application fee is $50, with a $500 annual licensing fee

• No more than 60 STR licenses may be active at one time within the R-2 and R-2-B districts

• Maximum occupancy is 10 guests

• At least one off-street parking space per bedroom is generally required, except in the B-1 district

The 60-license limit is therefore not a citywide cap on every Logan STR in every zoning district. It applies specifically to active licenses in the R-2 and R-2-B districts. Before considering a property inside Logan, buyers should verify its zoning classification and current license eligibility with the city.

What This Means for Hocking Hills Buyers

The proposed county ordinance is not a reason to automatically avoid investing in Hocking Hills. It is, however, a reason to complete careful property-level due diligence. When evaluating a cabin, consider more than its current revenue, furnishings, and guest reviews. Look closely at the exact governmental jurisdiction and zoning, lodging-tax registration, septic and water capacity, driveway width, grade and emergency access, available parking and turnaround space, bedroom and sleeping-area layouts, deck construction and condition, proximity to neighboring properties, and the availability of a local property manager or emergency contact.

A property that already has safe access, adequate parking, properly designed sleeping areas, and professional local management may be better positioned to adapt to future regulations than one that depends on overcrowding or has significant physical limitations.

The Bottom Line

As of July 21, 2026, Hocking County's proposed short-term rental ordinance remains a draft and has not been adopted as a countywide requirement. The current draft provides a useful look at the direction county officials are considering, but the permit fee, operating standards, and enforcement provisions could still be revised.

Before purchasing a property based on short-term rental income, verify the current requirements with the appropriate county, city, township, and health officials, and confirm what applies to that specific address.

Important notice: This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax, zoning, or investment advice. Regulations may change, and requirements can vary by property location. Information was last reviewed on July 21, 2026.

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Considering a Hocking Hills Investment Property?

I help buyers look beyond the listing photos and evaluate the details that can affect a property's short-term rental potential, from location and access to local regulations, management options, and realistic income expectations.

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Jennifer Kitchen

REALTOR® | MBA | RSPS

Thinking about investing in Hocking Hills? Whether you're buying your first short-term rental or expanding your portfolio, I'm happy to answer your questions and help you evaluate properties with confidence.

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