Hocking Hills Permits & Regulations

Hocking County (Unincorporated Areas)

If your property is outside Logan city limits — which most Hocking Hills cabins are — you currently fall under county-level regulations. Here’s the current status:

County STR Ordinance: In Progress

The Hocking County Zoning Commission has been studying short-term rental regulation since 2023. A draft ordinance was released in September 2025 and has gone through multiple revisions and public comment periods. Over 230 people attended six township open-house meetings, and a community questionnaire drew more than 400 responses.

The proposed regulations focus on several key areas:

• Permits and registration: A formal STR permit process is being developed
• Emergency access: Driveway standards wide enough for fire trucks and EMS equipment
• 24-hour local contact: A designated person residing in Hocking County available around the clock for complaints or emergencies
• Visible property numbering: Clear address markers for first responders
• Occupancy limits: To prevent large unpermitted gatherings
• Noise standards: Objective decibel limits measured at the property line
• Deck safety: Engineer or inspector certification for decks higher than five feet off the ground
• Impact fees: Under study to offset increased first-responder and EMS costs

The commission has emphasized this is not full countywide zoning but rather targeted regulatory tools. As Commissioner remarks noted, this is a step below comprehensive zoning — the intent is to add specific standards and better enforce existing rules around flood plains, driveways, and sanitary systems.

What’s Required Today (County Level)

Even without the new ordinance, existing requirements apply:

• Lodging tax registration: Required for all STR operators. Register by emailing the registration form to lodgingtax@hocking.oh.gov
• 6% bed tax collection: You must collect and remit this tax monthly (see Tax Guide)
• Health department compliance: Properties with septic systems require health department inspections
• Building codes: Must meet Ohio building codes and safety standards
• Smoke and CO detectors: Required in all bedrooms and common areas

City of Logan (Ordinance 54)

If your property is within Logan city limits, you face additional, more specific requirements. Logan passed Ordinance 54 in late 2024, establishing a formal STR licensing system.

Applications are submitted to the Logan Service Director and must include a site plan showing building locations and parking. If near a school or in R-2/R-2-B/B-2 districts, you must also submit a list of all addresses within 300–500 feet from the Hocking County Auditor’s Office.

State of Ohio Requirements

• Ohio vendor’s license OR an affidavit confirming you have fewer than 5 STRs statewide
• Building permits through the Ohio Department of Commerce for manufactured homes or commercial buildings
• Ohio sales tax license for collecting and remitting state sales tax

What to Do Right Now

If you’re planning to list a property in the Hocking Hills area, take these steps regardless of whether the county ordinance has passed:

1. Register for lodging tax at hocking.oh.gov/lodgingtax
2. Contact your township trustee to understand any local-level rules
3. If within Logan, apply for an STR license at Logan City Hall (72 E. Main Street)
4. Install smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers
5. Ensure your driveway can accommodate emergency vehicles
6. Post your property address clearly and visibly from the road
7. Get your septic system inspected if applicable