Brenner said the measure is designed to protect property rights and prevent what he described as “government overreach” by local municipalities. “Homeowners should have the freedom to rent their property on a short-term basis without facing an inconsistent patchwork of local rules,” Brenner said in a statement Wednesday. “This legislation will ensure fairness and consistency across Ohio.”
But local leaders say the bill tramples on home rule authority secured in the state constitution, warning that it could undermine neighborhood stability and public safety. Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said the proposal would “strip communities of their ability to respond to legitimate concerns from residents about noise, parking, and housing availability.”
Cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati have passed ordinances requiring permits, occupancy limits, or safety inspections for short-term rentals, arguing that those rules help protect long-term housing stock and maintain neighborhood character. If SB 104 becomes law, many of those regulations could be voided.
The Ohio Municipal League, representing cities and towns across the state, has vowed to oppose the legislation. “Local officials are best positioned to decide what works for their communities,” said the organization’s executive director, Kent Scarrett. “This bill appears to be another attempt to centralize control in Columbus at the expense of cities’ self-governance.”
Supporters, including the Ohio Realtors Association and several property rights advocacy groups, counter that short-term rentals boost tourism, support local economies, and create income opportunities for homeowners.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Local Government Committee, where public testimony is expected in the coming weeks. With powerful interests on both sides, Senate Bill 104 could become one of the most contentious state-local battles of the legislative session.