MEDINA, Ohio – The City Council is considering legislation that would regulate short-term rentals.

The legislation, which makes numerous miscellaneous amendments to Medina’s planning and zoning codes, was placed on first reading during a recent council meeting.

“This was unanimously supported by (the) planning commission,” said at-large Councilman Paul Rose.

Community Planning Director Andrew Dutton said the planning commission recommended approval of the regulations, as well as other amendments to the zoning code, on July 11.

A public hearing on the amendments was held on October 15, with no one speaking either for or against the regulations.

Dutton had explained that there are currently several short-term rental properties in Medina, near the historic district, but the city does not have any regulations for short-term rentals in its zoning code.

So city officials reviewed the regulations that other municipalities have in place.

He said that while some municipalities have very specific regulations that include a registration process, Medina officials are looking to implement more general rules.

The proposed regulations would allow short-term rentals in the C2 business district and the MU district.

They would also be conditionally permitted in the R2 and R3 residential districts that are within 4,000 feet of the city center.

Dutton added that all short-term rentals in Medina are currently within these limits.

Additional regulations require a minimum number of parking spaces, a maximum occupancy depending on the number of bedrooms, and would prohibit events hosted at short-term rentals.

Read more of the Medina Sol.