Explanation
This ordinance amends Section 598.03 of the Columbus City Codes to require all short-term rental permit applicants to submit to a background check performed by an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”) approved provider.
Under the current version of Section 598.03, short-term rental permit applicants that use a hosting platform that performs are a background check are not required to submit to a BCI background check. Because hosting platforms’ procedures with respect to background checks vary considerably, the Licensing Section, in the interest of public safety, would like to require all short-term rental permit applicants to submit to a BCI background check.
FISCAL IMPACT: This code change will have no financial impact.
Title
To amend Columbus City Code Section 598.03(B) to require all short-term rental permit applicants to submit to a background check performed by an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”) approved provider prior to receiving a short-term rental permit.
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 598 requires all short-term rental hosts and operators in the City of Columbus to obtain a short-term rental permit from the Licensing Section of the Division of Support Services within the Department of Public Safety; and
WHEREAS, Section 598.03(B) does not currently require short-term rental permit applicants that post or advertise their short-term rental on a hosting platform that performs a background check to submit to a BCI background check; and
WHEREAS, the Licensing Section, in the interest of public safety, wants all short-term rental permit applicants to submit as part of their applications the results of a BCI background check prior to receiving a short-term rental permit; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 598.03 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby amended to read as follows:
598.03 - Application for Hotel/Motel or Short-Term Rental Permit, New and Renewal
(A...
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