The Rental Registration Ordinance requires owners who rent or offer to rent a dwelling or rooming unit (whether year-round, seasonal, weekly, or daily) to register annually with the Department of Building & Housing at a fee of $70 per dwelling or unit. The purpose of the ordinance is to help ensure that residential property owners maintain decent, safe and sanitary units operated and maintained in ways that prevent them from becoming nuisances or influential in fostering blight or deterioration, or that negatively affect those reinvesting in Cleveland neighborhoods.
Registering Rental Property
Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation operating, maintaining, or offering rental property in the City of Cleveland can register and obtain a Certificate of Rental Registration. It is unlawful for a person to offer for rent or occupy a residential rental unit without a current certificate. Once fees are paid, the City will issue the Certificate of Rental Registration.
Rental Registration Payment with application form and routing instructions
For Rental Registration payment here
Affidavit For Rental Registration Exemption
Inspections
Interior and exterior inspections are required. Exterior inspections are done throughout the year. Property owners are notified by mail to arrange interior inspections if deemed necessary. During the inspection, the City Code official will identify problems and concerns beginning with life safety issues. If any items are found to be deficient, the property owner will be required to bring the property into compliance with all applicable codes. A re-inspection will then be scheduled by the inspector. Once the property is in compliance, the Rental Registration Certificate will be renewed.
Permits For Repair Work
A permit must be obtained for most work. The Building & Housing Permit Section can be contacted at 216.664.6424 for specific permit requirements or a Building & Housing Inspector.
Contact via phone: | 216.664.2825 |
In person, by mail: | Division of Records Administration Cleveland City Hall, Room 517 601 Lakeside Avenue, 44114 |