Short-Term Rentals and the Long-Term Impacts

Written By Margaret Lill

As Berea prepares for the next phase of development around the Cleveland Browns’ training facility—including a proposed $200 million expansion dubbed District 46—residents and local leaders are asking: what does this mean for housing, tourism, and the future of our neighborhoods?

One key piece of the puzzle? Short-Term Rentals—like Airbnb and Vrbo—often surge in areas hosting major events or seasonal attractions. With the Browns returning to Berea for training camp each August, and plans for a stadium, hotel, and retail space underway, Berea may be on the cusp of a short-term rental boom. But is that a win for the community—or a warning?

✅ What Berea Already Has in Place

Berea has taken proactive steps to maintain housing quality and prevent overcrowding:

🔍 What We Might Explore Further

As Short-Term Retnts grow nationwide, Berea has an opportunity to shape its own path. Here are a few questions worth asking:

📈 When Short-Term Rentals Helped

📉 When Short-Term Rentals Hurt

⚖️ Policy Hits and Misses

🚫 Policies That Backfired

✅ Policies That Worked


🏛️ What’s Happening at the State Level: Ohio Bills 104 and 109

While Berea considers its own approach to short-term rentals, two bills in the Ohio General Assembly could reshape the landscape statewide:

🧾 Senate Bill 104

Introduced in the 136th General Assembly, SB 104 proposes limiting how much local governments can regulate short-term rentals. It would also require platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to collect and remit local lodging taxes. Supporters argue this could streamline tax collection and create statewide consistency. Critics warn it could erode local control and lead to unregulated Short-Term Rental expansion in residential neighborhoods.

🧾 House Bill 109

HB 109, introduced by Rep. Justin Pizzulli, mirrors SB 104 in many respects. It would centralize Short-Term Rental regulation and tax collection, limiting municipalities’ ability to impose their own restrictions. The bill also mandates that rental platforms collect lodging taxes and remit them to local jurisdictions. While this could simplify operations and increase revenue, it raises concerns about undermining Home Rule and worsening housing shortages.

If Ohio Senate Bill 104 or House Bill 109 passes, Berea’s right to set its own Short-Term Rental caps, zoning rules, or permit requirements could be restricted. That means local efforts—like our leasing permit system and any future policies crafted with public input—might be overridden by state law.

🧭 Why This Matters for Berea

With the Browns’ expansion underway and training camp drawing thousands each year, Berea stands at a crossroads. Short-term rentals (Short-Term Rentals) can bring economic opportunities—but without thoughtful, community-driven policies, they risk displacing residents, straining infrastructure, and reshaping our neighborhoods in ways that don’t reflect our values.

That means community-first development is crucial:

  • 🏠 Advocating for transparent Short-Term Rental regulations that protect long-term housing.

  • 🤝 Supporting local homeowners who want to responsibly host guests.

  • 🛠️ Ensuring zoning and enforcement are clear, fair, and proactive.

  • 🌍 Learning from other cities—what worked, what didn’t—and applying it here.

  • 💡 Exploring new ideas like Short-Term Rental revenue for community projects, data partnerships, and inclusive policymaking

This is a critical moment. Residents and leaders must stay informed, speak up, and advocate for policies that reflect Berea’s unique needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach dictated from Columbus.

Let’s make sure Berea’s growth benefits everyone—not just investors or out-of-town visitors. The Browns may bring fans, but it’s our job to keep Berea a place where neighbors still know each other’s names.

Margaret Lill https://www.bereadems.org
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