Is Strongsville, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Strongsville, Ohio, begin by researching local regulations as Strongsville requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that typically restrict rentals to no more than 30 days and require owner occupancy or special permits for non-owner occupied properties. Contact the Strongsville Building Department at (440) 580-3100 to obtain necessary permits including a Certificate of Occupancy for rental use, fire safety inspection, and potential zoning variance if needed. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near Cleveland attractions since Strongsville is approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland, with average home prices around $200,000-$300,000 as of 2023. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and safety equipment including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms as required by Ohio law. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting proximity to Cleveland Hopkins Airport (15 minutes), downtown Cleveland (25 minutes), and local attractions like SouthPark Mall. Set competitive pricing around $80-120 per night based on local market rates, implement a management system using tools like Hostfully or Guesty for booking coordination, hire local cleaning services, and establish relationships with maintenance contractors. Ensure compliance with Ohio's 7% state sales tax and Cuyahoga County's additional lodging taxes, maintain proper insurance coverage, and consider joining the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce for networking opportunities.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Strongsville, Ohio, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and downtown Cleveland, particularly properties near major highways like I-71 and Route 82 for easy access to business districts and attractions. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated workspaces, and parking, as these appeal to both business travelers and families visiting the Cleveland area. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where nightly rates of $80-150 can generate 60-70% occupancy rates, ensuring monthly gross revenue exceeds mortgage and operating costs by at least 30%. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing, and monitor properties managed by companies like RedAwning or local hosts to understand market saturation. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and STR Helper for market analysis, while leveraging local resources such as the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce for area insights, Cuyahoga County property records for ownership costs, and connecting with local property management companies like Cleveland Airbnb Management or Ohio Short Term Rentals for operational support and market intelligence.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Strongsville, Ohio, you must first contact the Strongsville Building Department at City Hall located at 16099 Foltz Parkway to determine current zoning compliance, as short-term rentals may require conditional use permits in residential zones. Submit an application to the Building Department including a completed STR permit application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plans showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), fire safety inspection certificate, and business license registration with the Ohio Secretary of State. Required documents also include a site plan, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, and neighbor notification forms. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 plus inspection fees of approximately $100-200. Schedule required inspections with the Fire Department for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency egress compliance, and arrange a zoning compliance inspection with the Building Department. The timeline typically takes 4-8 weeks from application submission to permit approval, depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Strongsville requires STR properties to maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, provide adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), display the permit number in all advertising, maintain a local contact person available 24/7, and comply with occupancy limits based on square footage and bedroom count, with annual permit renewals required.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Strongsville, Ohio are generally prohibited in residential zoning districts under the city's current zoning code, which restricts commercial activities in residential areas. The city has maintained a restrictive stance on STRs since approximately 2018-2019, treating them as commercial lodging operations that are not permitted in single-family residential zones. Property owners cannot legally operate Airbnb, VRBO, or similar short-term rental properties in most residential neighborhoods within Strongsville city limits. The restrictions apply city-wide to residential zoning districts, though STRs may be permitted in commercially zoned areas with proper licensing and compliance with hotel/motel regulations. Strongsville's position aligns with several other Cleveland-area suburbs that have enacted similar prohibitions, citing concerns about neighborhood character, parking, noise, and housing availability. The city has not indicated any recent changes to soften these restrictions, and enforcement has remained consistent with code violations and fines for non-compliant operators.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Strongsville, Ohio include the neighborhoods near SouthPark Mall and Pearl Road corridor, which attract business travelers visiting corporate offices and shopping centers, plus families attending youth sports tournaments at the Strongsville Recreation Center. The Royalton Road area offers excellent access to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (15 minutes away) making it ideal for airline crews and business travelers, while properties near the Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation appeal to nature enthusiasts and families visiting the park system. The downtown Strongsville area around City Hall and the Chestnut Commons development attracts visitors attending municipal events and conferences, while neighborhoods near Interstate 71 provide convenient access for travelers heading to Cleveland's downtown attractions, Progressive Field, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Properties close to the Strongsville Historical Village draw heritage tourists, and areas near major medical facilities like Southwest General Health Center accommodate medical travelers and visiting families, with the overall market benefiting from Strongsville's reputation as a safe, family-friendly suburb with excellent schools that attracts relocating families needing temporary housing.

In Strongsville, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Ohio's state lodging tax of 5.75% and Cuyahoga County's lodging tax of 3%, totaling 8.75% on short-term rental bookings. The City of Strongsville does not impose an additional municipal lodging tax as of 2023. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Ohio around 2019, and the platform remits payments quarterly to the Ohio Department of Commerce and Cuyahoga County. Hosts who collect taxes independently must register with the Ohio Department of Commerce and file monthly returns by the 23rd of the following month, along with registering with Cuyahoga County for their portion. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and bookings made by government employees on official business may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Strongsville, Ohio would be approximately $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase costs around $250,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees would total $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would cost $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits would be $500-$1,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900), cleaning supplies ($300), maintenance ($1,000), property management software ($300), and marketing ($500) would total approximately $3,000. Additional costs may include HOA fees if applicable and potential property management services at 10-20% of rental income.

Airbnb properties in Strongsville, Ohio typically generate annual revenues of $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $8,000-$18,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-$4,000 yearly). Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher margins achieved through strategic pricing, excellent guest reviews, and efficient operations. Success factors in Strongsville include proximity to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (20 minutes), access to downtown Cleveland attractions, competitive pricing against local hotels ($80-$150 nightly), and maintaining superhost status through consistent 4.8+ star ratings. Properties near Strongsville Commons shopping center and with amenities like hot tubs or game rooms command premium rates, while three-bedroom homes targeting family travelers and business visitors to nearby corporate facilities like Southwest General Health Center show strongest performance, with some hosts reporting 70-85% occupancy rates and annual profits exceeding $12,000 after all expenses.

Based on Strongsville, Ohio market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near the Cleveland Metroparks or close to I-71 corridor tend to perform better, with average daily rates of $85-120 for entire homes and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for furnishing costs, marketing expenses, and property management fees. Three-bedroom homes in neighborhoods like Pearl Road or Royalton Road areas show stronger performance with potential ROI reaching 14-16% by year three, while smaller properties or those farther from major attractions typically stabilize at 8-10% long-term returns. Market seasonality shows peak performance during summer months and Cleveland Browns season, with winter months experiencing 20-30% lower occupancy rates.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Strongsville, Ohio. Local real estate agents in the Cleveland area who specialize in investment properties include Keller Williams Greater Cleveland with agents experienced in Airbnb investments, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services which has a strong presence in Strongsville and surrounding areas, and RE/MAX agents who focus on rental property investments. National services include Awning which provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services, RedAwning for vacation rental property management and acquisition, Mashvisor for real estate investment analysis including Airbnb potential, and BiggerPockets which connects investors with local professionals. Local property management companies that assist with Airbnb investments include Cleveland Airbnb Management and Ohio Short Term Rental Management. Additional national platforms include Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, AirDNA for market analysis and property identification, and Vacasa which offers property management services and can help identify investment opportunities in the Strongsville market.