1165.22 SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
   The following regulations are determined to be necessary to provide for the orderly establishment and operation of Short-Term Rentals throughout the City of Loveland, Ohio. Short-Term Rentals, as defined in Chapter 1107 of this Code, shall be permitted as Conditional Uses within the following Districts, provided that a lawful Principally Permi ted Use and Structure and
combination already exists: R-LD, R-MD, R-MF, H, O-R, A, B-R, B-C, SW-A, SW-P and within any established SPD.
   (a)    Conditional Use Application Required. Short-Term Rentals, as defined in this Code, shall be subject to the regulations, restrictions, and requirements of this Section, as well as the General Standards for Conditional Uses established within Section 1111.06 of this Code. A person seeking to establish a Short-Term Rental pursuant to this Section shall be required to file an application seeking Conditional Use approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. No Short-Term Rental shall receive Conditional Use Approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission unless the specific requirements of this Section are fully met.
   (b)   Short-Term Rental Performance Standards. Short-Term Rentals seeking Conditional Use authorization from the Planning and Zoning Commission shall furnish documentation at the time of filing an application for Conditional Use, evidencing compliance with the following Performance Standards:
      (1)   Each Short-Term Rental property shall possess working smoke detectors, which shall be placed in the following locations:
         A.    One smoke detector shall be deployed within each guest room.
         B.    One additional smoke detector shall be placed in the kitchen area of the Short-Term Rental, if so equipped.
         C.    In addition to the requirements of subsection (b)(1)A. and B., hereof a Short-Term Rental shall also maintain smoke detectors in the main gathering areas, or center hallway, as applicable, for each floor of the unit situated above or below grade.
         D.    If the unit possesses an attached garage, a working smoke detector shall be placed therein and shall be designed and integrated to alert persons inside of the dwelling unit.
      (2)    A Short-Term Rental established pursuant to this Section shall be required to maintain not less than one (1) working, currently certified Class 2A-10BC fire extinguisher in the kitchen of the dwelling unit, along with one (1) additional working, currently certified Class 2A-10BC fire extinguisher located on each floor of the dwelling unit located above or below grade.
      (3)    Each Short-Term Rental property shall maintain at least one Working carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the following locations:
         A.    On each floor of the dwelling unit located above or below grade.
         B.    Within any attached garage.
         C.    Within ten feet (10') of any gas-operated appliance.
         D.    Within ten feet (10') of any other appliance utilizing the combustion of fuel for any purpose, as part of its intended design and function.
      (4)    Dryer vents shall be ducted to the exterior of the structure. In addition, all dryer vents and other exhaust vents shall be maintained in proper working condition, free from lint or other obstructions.
      (5)    GFCI outlets shall be installed in all wet locations, including kitchens, bathroom areas, and laundry rooms, as applicable.
      (6)    Properties equipped with an on-premises swimming pool or any other recreational spa, or hot-tub shall be equipped with audible alanns on all exterior doors providing direct access to the pool or hot-tub area or enclosure. All hot-tubs and spas shall be equipped with an appropriate safety cover to secure the hot-tub or spa when not in use, and all swimming pools shall be fenced and otherwise maintained in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Loveland, Ohio.
      (7)    The owner or managing entity responsible for assuring compliance with this section shall post or shall otherwise cause to be posted, an emergency exit plan prominently displayed on each floor of the unit situated above or below grade.
      (8)    A Guest Room established within any Short-Term Rental shall meet the following minimum requirements:
         A.    All Guest Rooms shall contain a bed, mattress, cot, or other furniture intended for accommodating sleeping persons.
         B.    Each Guest Room shall contain a functioning and lockable window capable of serving as an emergency ingress/egress point as regulated by the Ohio Residential Building Code.
         C.    A Guest Room shall maintain a functioning and lockable door, allowing the room to be partitioned off from the primary living and gathering quarters contained within the dwelling unit.
      (9)    A Short-Term Rental as regulated by this Section shall not exceed the following occupancy restrictions:
         A.    A maximum of not more than two (2) adult persons shall be permitted for each guest room maintaining a floor area of greater than seventy (70 sq.ft.) square feet.
         B.    A maximum of not more than one (1) adult person shall be permitted for each guest room maintaining a floor area of less than seventy (70 sq.ft.) square feet.
         C.    A maximum of two (2) additional adult persons shall be permitted in addition to those permitted by either subsection A. or B. hereof, as applicable.
         D.    The maximum permitted occupancy for any Short-Term Rental unit established pursuant to this Section shall not exceed ten (10) persons, irrespective of whether the occupants are children or adults.
   (c)   Parking Requirements. For Short-Term Rentals seeking Conditional Use authorization pursuant to this Section, a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space shall be provided on the premises for each two (2) Guest Rooms or suites located therein. Parking areas shall be paved with either concrete, asphalt, or another similar hard surface such as concrete or brick pavers. Gravel parking areas shall be prohibited.
   (d)   Advertising Prohibited. The use of any on-premises or off-premises signage to advertise the availability of the property as a Short-Term Rental shall be strictly prohibited. Nothing within this Section shall prohibit an owner or manager from advertising a Short-Term Rental with any digital or print media publication service or firm, or from utilizing a Short-Term Rental hosting platform or rental service.
   (e)   Emergency Contact Information Required. In addition to the performance standards listed in subsection (b) hereof, an owner or manager receiving Conditional Use Approval to operate a Short-Term Rental shall be required to designate an emergency contact person that shall be available to be on-site within one (1) hour of any call for service. The emergency contact information and procedure shall include the name, telephone number, email, and address of the emergency contact, and shall be prominently posted and displayed in the following locations:
      (1)    A weatherproof placard not larger than one (1) square foot in area shall be affixed next to the primary entrance of the Short-Term Rental Unit. The placard shall be installed so as to remain visible from the exterior of the structure.
      (2)    An additional placard shall be affixed in a prominent location within the interior of the Short-Term Rental unit so as to be plainly visible, placed and displayed prominently in the main living quarters of the unit.
   (f)   Compliance with Applicable Regulations. Nothing within this Section shall exempt any Short-Term Rental unit from complying with any other applicable federal, state, or local rules, regulations, or codes, including but not limited to, the Revised Code, the Ohio Administrative Code, Ohio Residential Building Code, City of Loveland Code of Ordinances; including the City Property Maintenance Code, Hamilton County Board of Health, or the Ohio Fire Code, with respect to the establishment, operation and maintenance of a Short-term Rental upon any property located within the City of Loveland Ohio.
   (g)    Zoning Permit Required. A Short-Term Rental receiving Conditional Use Approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be required to apply for a permit prior to commencing operations.
   (h)   Annual Inspection Required. The owner or operator of any Short-Term Rental receiving a permit to operate pursuant to this Section shall be required to obtain a Certificate of Inspection from the Loveland Symmes Fire Department not more than thirty (30) days after the date of issuance of the permit. The Certificate of Inspection shall be subject to annual inspection and renewal.
   (i)   Nonconforming Uses to Remain. Any Short-Term Rental in existence prior to the date of enactment of this Section shall be permitted to remain, provided that such use is not altered, enlarged, expanded, or further modified in any way whatsoever, and subject to the following additional restrictions:
      (1)    The owner or operator of any pre-existing, non-conforming Short-Term Rental shall obtain a Certificate of Inspection attesting that the Short-Term Rental unit meets the minimum safety requirements as set forth in Section 1165.22(b)(1)-(9), within two (2) years following the date of enactment of these regulations. Failure to obtain the required inspection shall result in a loss of non-conforming status.
      (2)    Pre-existing, lawfully non-conforming Short-Term Rentals that are discontinued, abandoned, or that otherwise terminate operations for more than one-hundred eighty (180) consecutive days shall be classified as being voluntary discontinued and shall not be re-established except in conformance with these regulations.
         (Ord. 2024-11. Passed 1-23-24.)