Permitting for rental houses?

Question

Hi everyone,

A Toledo investor mentioned that no permitting is needed for rental houses, unlike some other Ohio markets. I wanted to ask if a permit is needed before a landlord rents a house in Cleveland and surrounding municipalities. If yes, how cumbersome and costly is the process?

Dave Stokley · Answer

You must register each rental unit. It’s $70 per unit. Starting this year you will be required to get lead-safe certified.

James Wise · Answer

Yes, permits are needed throughout the Cleveland market.

Jacob Repreza · Answer

Yup in Cleveland Heights and Shaker it's about $100-$150 a unit for the year. There's usually a slightly cheaper option of a vacant permit as well. They're online and the sites can be glitchy but it's not the worst thing.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

Someone in my city told me that permits were not required, but they were wrong. My point is do your own research. Posting questions on BP is not research. Go to the city, county and state websites and read up on what is legally required. You won't last in business if you don't educate yourself directly from the source. Permits are only one thing, there are landlord-tenant laws, fair housing laws and zoning/code requirements everywhere.

Dave Stokley · Answer

Just to be clear, these comments were Cleveland-specific. Each municipality has its own rules.

Andrew Weiner · Answer

Every city has some form of rental registration in the Cleveland area.  It’s pretty straightforward and just takes a few minutes and in most cases is online.  The fees have a big range.  The Lead certification is for the city of Cleveland only and is being rolled out through this year and next year by zip code.

Permitting for rental houses?

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