Old Hilliard Short-Term Rental Playbook: Zoning Map, Buffers & Approvals

Under the City of Hilliard Planning and Zoning Code (specifically amended via Ordinance 22-18 across Chapters 1105, 1115, 1121, and 1141), short-term rentals (STRs) are strictly restricted by geographic zoning and density limits.

1. Where STRs Are Permitted vs. Prohibited

• The Old Hilliard District (Permitted Zone): Short-term rentals are recognized exclusively within the Old Hilliard District (OH) subdistricts:
  • OH-MD (Old Hilliard Mixed-Use Commercial / Downtown): Permitted subject to specific use conditions.
  • OH-RD (Old Hilliard Mixed-Use Residential District): Permitted subject to specific use conditions and density buffers.
• Residential Districts Outside Old Hilliard (Prohibited): In standard residential districts (such as R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-R, or Planned Unit Developments across the rest of Hilliard), transient short-term rentals under 30 consecutive days are not permitted. Operating a transient rental in these residential zones violates Chapter 1121 and triggers zoning enforcement.

2. The 1,000-Foot Spacing Buffer Rule (Section 1121.06)

In the Old Hilliard Mixed-Use Residential District (OH-RD), property owners face a strict density buffer:

• The Buffer: No short-term rental may be established within a 1,000-foot radius of another legally permitted short-term rental.
• Measurement Standard: The distance is measured in a direct line starting from the nearest property boundary line of the proposed short-term rental to the nearest property line of any existing, permitted STR.
• First-Come, First-Served Constraint: If an adjacent or nearby property within 1,000 feet holds an active short-term rental zoning certificate, subsequent applications within that radius will be denied regardless of property suitability or owner residency.

3. Step-by-Step Approval & Compliance Checklist

To legally operate an STR in Old Hilliard, an owner must complete the municipal verification process before taking reservations:

Parcel & Zoning Verification:

• Confirm via the City of Hilliard Official Zoning Map that the parcel sits strictly inside the OH-MD or OH-RD subdistrict boundaries.

Buffer Clearance Check:

• Contact the City of Hilliard Planning and Zoning Division to verify that the parcel does not fall within the 1,000-foot exclusionary radius of an active STR permit.

Zoning Certificate Application:

• Submit an application for a Zoning Certificate for Short-Term Rental to the Planning Division, detailing floor plans, designated off-street parking layout, and maximum guest occupancy.

Local 24/7 Emergency Contact:

• Designate an authorized local agent or emergency contact available 24/7 within a specified geographic radius to handle noise, parking, or guest disputes immediately upon municipal or police dispatch.

Life-Safety & Building Inspection:

• Provide compliant smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, operational egress windows/doors, and posted emergency exit diagrams.

Tax & Registration Compliance:

• Register with the City of Hilliard Finance Department for local transient lodging excise/hotel-motel tax remittance where applicable, in addition to Franklin County lodging requirements.