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1. I live in one unit of a two-family home and rent the other unit to a tenant. Since part of the house is owner-occupied, do I file the Housing Rental License form or use the exemption form?

You must obtain a Housing Rental License (Certificate of Occupancy) because part of the home is tenant occupied.

2. I received a Certificate of Occupancy application form for my two-family home but I don’t have any renters. I live in one unit and the other unit is vacant. I have no plans to rent out either unit.

You are required to submit a Certificate of Occupancy Exemption Form. Effective 2021, this form must be submitted online via the City’s Citizenserve portal. Visit the Housing Rental License page for instructions on submitting an exemption form.

3. Why did I get a Housing Rental License (Certificate of Occupancy) application form again? I filled out a form last year.

The Housing Code requires owners of all rental property to annually obtain a Housing Rental License and all owners of two-family dwellings to annually obtain either a Housing Rental License or an Exemption.

4. What services are available for landlords?

The City offers a periodic Landlord Training Seminar and access to reduced cost tenant screening (highly recommended). Visit the Landlord Connection page to learn more or contact Theo Darden, Neighborhood and Housing Specialist, for additional information.

5. Where can I get a Housing Rental License (Certificate of Occupancy) for my property?

Find instructions on the Housing Rental License page.

6. I want to rent my property. What do I need to do?

New landlords must obtain a Housing Rental License for their rental property, as well as an interior inspection of the property. City resources for landlords can be found on the Landlord Connection page.

7. Are short-term rentals (i.e. AirBnB, VRBO etc.) allowed in Shaker Heights?

Short term rentals (30 days or less), such as through services like AirBnB and VRBO, are illegal uses in the City, and are prohibited.

If the property owner lives at their property as their primary residence, one roomer is permitted per the City’s zoning code and the property is still classified as “owner occupied.” Thus, no rental license is required. Otherwise, an owner may not rent to more than one person at a time.

If the owner of the property does NOT reside there, the owner may not rent out the property for less than 30 days, to multiple people, throughout the year. That would make the use of the property similar to a hotel, which is prohibited per our zoning ordinances. Rentals for less than 30-days in non-owner-occupied property are NOT permitted in Shaker Heights.

If the owner of the property does NOT reside at the property, and rents out the property for periods of 30 days or more, to multiple people, this is permitted.  A non-owner occupied property that is rented for a period of 30 days or longer is classified as a rental unit. This triggers the requirements that the property owner obtain a housing rental license (certificate of occupancy) plus an interior/exterior inspection.