If it were me, I would emphasise the consequences of them doing this (like dying in a fire), then have them sign a disclosure that reads something like this:                              "Basement Use Restriction: The basement area is finished but does not meet legal requirements for sleeping quarters or bedrooms under local building codes due to the absence of a required egress window/door (fire escape).

You can't really invest by zip code in Toledo, although it might be a decent starting point to get a general sense of what things sell and rent for.

It's why we have a color-coded map on our website.Your comment about PMCs is also spot-on as roughly 50% of PMCs operating in Detroit aren't properly licensed:(! 

Managing 20 doors in one apartment complex is one thing - managing 20 doors spread across 8 different zip codes is a logistical beast.

The root cause of the issue seems to be that there is nothing in county or municipal code regarding STRs. 

On a condo development project, I discovered that the zoning approvals conflicted with the building code due to a design team oversight.

You need an expert in that market to immediately know by address and zip code what the absolute floor is even if it is a disaster. 

Just give them your criteria (area - county, city of zip code, building type, square footage, etc .etc.) 

Instead, we use agents that really understand construction and local codes, really understand the contracts and the process, and most importantly, does the agent return calls quickly and professionally.

Even some Orlando neighborhoods that are less dense than the downtown or theme park adjacent zip codes.