South Euclid Council approves short-term rental regulations, adds smoke-free zones in city

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — The City Council on Monday (July 22) approved regulations regulating the use of homes for short-term rentals, such as those on Airbnb.

The city already had regulations for long-term rentals, but it also introduced regulations for rentals for up to 30 days.

Council leader Ruth Gray said an incident last year prompted the council to pass the short-term lettings legislation.

“We had an out-of-state homeowner in Ward 1, on Parkside (Boulevard), last year who rented it out, and that rental really wreaked havoc in the neighborhood,” Gray said. “And it wasn’t part of our regular, long-term program, so it went unnoticed. That prompted us to add the short-term (legislation).”

Homeowners who plan to rent out their home for up to 30 days must now register their home for rental purposes, obtain a certificate of right to occupy, pay a fee, purchase homeowners insurance for at least $300,000 and submit to inspections.

They must also inform guests of any conditions that may pose a risk, provide contact details for the local person responsible for the home, provide appropriate garbage and recyclable containers for regular waste collection, and meet a number of other requirements.

A violation of any city code by a homeowner or tenant, such as calling the police to a loud or boisterous party, can result in the occupancy certificate being revoked. In other local communities, such as Richmond Heights, city councils have had to deal with complaints about parties that got out of hand at homes rented for that purpose.

“The short-term stay environment is here to stay because it’s very popular, as opposed to a traditional hotel,” Gray said. “So we had to regulate that. We had to make sure that the homeowner was responsible for the activity on their property, and if something happened, we had a record of it, we knew who to contact and we could charge them.”

“And if they break the law, we can deny them the right to rent. Now they have to be part of our registered rental program to rent their home.”

Gray said there are currently only about five such homes in the city designated for short-term rentals.

The council approved the bill by a 5-0 vote, with councilors Sara Continenza and Joseph Frank abstaining.

Smoking-free zones

The council on Monday also passed legislation increasing the number of smoke-free zones in South Euclid.

The city already had a bylaw banning smoking in council-owned buildings, as well as the dog park, playground and water park at Quarry Park; all of these council playgrounds are fenced, as well as in the fenced areas by the pool at Bexley Park.

Smoke-free zones now also include all green spaces and playing fields in city parks, Oakwood Nature Preserve, South Euclid Food Truck Park, the city war memorial and city-owned parking lots.

Additionally, the regulations update the meaning of “smoking” tobacco or other plants to also include “cannabis, THC, and electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes and vaporizers.”

The bill passed by a vote of 6 to 1, with Frank, who did not comment on the matter, opposing it.

New police contract

South Euclid police officers and the City Council have agreed to a new three-year contract that will provide 3 percent raises this year and next, and 4 percent in 2026. It’s the same raise structure given earlier this year to firefighters and emergency workers.

SEPD Chief Joe Mays said the department now has 38 officers after its newest officer, Brian Taylor, was sworn in at Monday’s council meeting. Mays said the department is looking to hire five more officers, as the council has agreed to fund that amount, which is the authorized number of SEPD officers.

Like most police departments in the region, SEPD has struggled to find new officers, Mays said.

Upcoming events

Upcoming free events in South Euclid include the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Historical Society’s “Iced Tea Party,” which will be held outdoors at the Victory Park Pavilion. The public is invited to attend on Thursday (July 25) from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Also scheduled for Sunday (July 28) at 7 p.m. is the Beatles cover band Liverpool Lads at the South Euclid Food Truck Park, 4477 Rushton Road.

On August 6, Bexley Park, 1630 Wrenford Road, will host its annual National Night Out, where residents will have the opportunity to meet police officers and firefighters.

As has happened in recent years, the event, which runs from 4pm to 9pm, will run concurrently with the city’s Bexley Bash, which will feature live music, food, an outdoor film and more.