Short-Term Rental Property Guidelines Get Attention from St. Clairsville Council
City Officials Explore Need for Short-Term Rental Property Rules
Conversations about regulating short-term rentals can take many directions—especially in a region like St. Clairsville, where residential neighborhoods and community values go hand in hand. In 2025, this small Ohio city stands at a crossroads similar to what’s been seen in Denver’s dynamic rental market: deciding how, or if, to introduce rules that protect the neighborhood feel while allowing homeowners to benefit from short-term rental opportunities like Airbnb.
Looking at Current City Policies
During a recent council meeting, planning and zoning administrator Tom Murphy put a question to St. Clairsville’s council members: Should the city define clear rules for short-term rental properties inside city limits?
Murphy noted he didn’t have a strong personal stance but wanted direction from the council. He explained that while St. Clairsville has policies for bed and breakfasts, there’s a gap when it comes to regulations for Airbnb-style rentals.
“A lot of places treat bed-and-breakfasts and Airbnbs differently. At a B&B, food service is expected—Airbnbs, it’s just lodging. Parking is usually a concern for both, since too many cars can disrupt a neighborhood,” Murphy said to the council.
He voiced only one major concern: Residents shouldn’t feel over-regulated, yet there needs to be a system to prevent negative impacts on neighboring homes.
Council Members Share Their Experiences
Council member Audry Brahler spoke up with firsthand experience. She’s in the process of converting a property into an Airbnb and pointed out the surprising level of scrutiny involved.
“Everything gets checked—where people are parking, what guests can and can’t do. There is a lot of self-regulation already,” Brahler explained, describing how platforms enforce standards effectively.
Mike Smith, another council member, expressed doubts about whether formal city rules are even necessary at this point. In his view, unless specific issues crop up with short-term rentals, there’s little need to add more guidelines.
Murphy followed up, mentioning that currently there are only two Airbnbs operating within city limits, and neither has produced any complaints or incidents so far.
Weighing Short-Term Versus Long-Term Rental Concerns
The discussion shifted to citywide rental property conditions. Council member Kristi Lipscomb voiced her opinion that the city could actually benefit from more oversight—but with a focus on long-term rentals. She highlighted that some rental homes are easy to spot, largely because they end up looking neglected compared to owner-occupied properties.
“Sometimes you know a house is being rented just by the way it is kept,” Lipscomb shared. “You might see several large trucks in the driveway—it can start to become an issue.”
Lipscomb emphasized the difference between short-term and long-term rental care. In her observation, owners of short-term rentals tend to keep their properties cleaner and in better shape. Their motivation? Frequent visits and the ever-important star ratings from guests.
Brahler agreed, noting that these ratings mean owners have a strong incentive to maintain high standards—clean, functional properties get more bookings.
Community Safety Remains a Priority
During the council meeting, Police Chief Matt Arbenz addressed a related but separate concern. While he’s heard of no trouble tied to short-term rentals, he raised an alert about companies purchasing properties to operate drug rehab facilities in otherwise residential areas. According to Arbenz, such facilities are supposed to be supervised at all times—usually by a house mother. He confirmed that, in his experience, these supervisors are generally present as required.
“There’s a neighborhood not far from a school where this happened recently. Neighbors were genuinely upset. There were problems in the very first week, and truthfully, we had no tools to address it since there are no specific rules for situations like this,” he told the council.
Arbenz inquired whether it’s possible for the city to pass an ordinance to block such conversions, particularly when the property is transformed into a group home or recovery center.
Legal Considerations and Federal Protection
On the legal front, Tom Murphy deferred to city law director Joe Vavra, who agreed to investigate whether any effective local ordinances could be put in place. Vavra pointed out a key challenge: group homes, including those for addiction recovery, are protected by the Federal Housing Act.
“Cities cannot create zoning laws that unfairly restrict group homes. Federal rules require reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to housing for people with disabilities,” Vavra reminded the council.
equalhousing.org explain that group homes can serve people with a broad range of physical or mental disabilities, including those in recovery from alcohol or drug use. These homes might be run by individuals or organizations, may or may not provide supportive services, and don’t always have to hold a particular license or permit.
Local Outlook for Short-Term Rentals
What comes next for short-term rentals in St. Clairsville? The council is still weighing their options, but the overall consensus leans toward a wait-and-see approach. With only a couple of Airbnb properties in the city and no current reports of trouble, members prefer caution over unnecessary regulation. However, their openness to revisit the issue if new concerns arise means homeowners and neighbors alike are likely to stay heard as trends shift.
This situation isn’t unique to St. Clairsville. Communities across the U.S.—and certainly in rental-heavy markets like Denver—face evolving questions about how best to balance private property rights, quiet neighborhoods, and new business models. For now, St. Clairsville’s council appears willing to let the system work, while keeping a watchful eye and remaining ready to act if needed.
Reflecting on Responsible Property Ownership
From Denver to St. Clairsville, it’s clear that responsible property owners play a vital role in neighborhood stability, whether for short-term or long-term rentals. Visitor reviews, attentive property upkeep, and open lines of communication contribute to better outcomes for everyone. As homeowners tap into the benefits of short-term rentals, local authorities and communities will continue seeking the right mix of flexibility and protection to keep their towns vibrant, welcoming, and well cared for.