Mentor City Council is currently in discussions about the availability of short-term rentals in the city. According to Mentor Planning Director Kathy Cantanzriti, council has held a few work sessions on the topic since early 2024. The city’s planning and zoning code does not identify short-term rentals as permitted uses. “They are a popular option for travelers seeking temporary, short-term stays, and the city has discovered that a handful of short-term rentals are operating within Mentor without proper regulation or permitting,” Catanzriti said. “The law director (J. Peter Szeman) was asked to draft an ordinance for city council’s consideration to establish prohibitions against short-term rentals in all zoning districts, which was placed on council’s agenda in early October 2024. “City Council received public comment on the proposed ordinance, asking that council consider allowing short-term rentals with appropriate regulations and not adopt a complete ban of them,” she added. “The proposed ordinance remains tabled while the city considers the best course of action.” At council’s most recent work session this month, city administration provided an overview of how licensing short-term rentals could occur, reporting on how other communities in Ohio currently administer and enforce short-term rental programs. Council is expected to provide further feedback in the coming weeks. “Mentor City Council is currently exploring the ways other communities legislate short-term rentals,” Council President Sean Blake said. “We have a high percentage of owner-occupied dwellings in the city and we have to determine what the potential impact would be to our neighborhoods. This topic is still in the works.” Mentor Communications Officer Ante Logarusic recognizes the popularity of short-term rentals in the city, especially for those who enjoy birdwatching, dining, shopping and more, but he said a decision has not yet been reached. “Council is currently examining the issue very closely,” Logarusic said. “There is little doubt that vacation rentals are a popular option these days for people seeking a home away from home, but they also present their own set of unique challenges. As a result, they are addressing this with prudence.” “It may surprise people to learn that Mentor is a popular destination – particularly as it relates to ecotourism among birding enthusiasts who flock to our area during the spring and fall migration,” he added. “It’s a great place to stay due to the wealth of nearby birding hotspots, shopping and dining options, easy highway access, safety and affordability.”