The Local Lineup: Housing Policy Brief

Fairview Park 

• Ordinance – Short-Term Rentals (Chapter 704) 
  • Council introduced an ordinance adding Chapter 704, “Short Term Rentals,” to Title 7 (Business Regulation Code) and declared it an emergency. The measure establishes registration and compliance requirements for STRs operating within the city. 

Cleveland Heights 

• Council Approves Sale of 65 Vacant Lots for Infill Housing 
  • City Council approved the sale of 65 vacant city-owned lots to two developers to promote infill housing in underused areas. 
    • FutureHeights will purchase 46 lots for $2,000 each and partner with Rebuild Cleveland to build modular homes. 
    • YRM Corp., led by Ishmael Martin, will acquire 19 lots for $1 each. Developers have three years to acquire and five years to complete construction. While some residents raised concerns about transparency, Council Members Davida Russell and Anthony Mattox Jr. emphasized the initiative’s value in neighborhood revitalization and local housing growth. 

Olmsted Falls 

• Residential Development Moratorium Extended 
  • City Council extended its six-month moratorium on new residential development through April 8, 2026. 
    • Mayor James Graven said the pause allows the city to assess the impact of recent housing growth (over 600 new units) on infrastructure and services. The extension will provide planners with time to address traffic, environmental, and capacity concerns, while shifting the focus toward commercial and sustainable development. 

Chagrin Falls 

• Water and Sewer Rate Increases for Infrastructure Upgrades 
  • Residents will face gradual rate increases over the next 20 years to fund upgrades to the 53-year-old wastewater treatment plant. 
    • New quarterly fees ($35–$490) were introduced by meter size. 
    • Water rates: $8.60 → $10.11 per 100 cu ft (by 2029). 
• Sewer rates: $12.74 → $15.49 per 100 cu ft (by 2029). 
  • The increased funds will repair aging water and sewer lines and to reduce frequent main breaks. 

University Heights 

• Second Zoning Code Town Hall – October 30, 2025 
  • A second zoning code town hall will be held Thursday, Oct. 30 (7–9 p.m.) at John Carroll University’s Dolan Science Center. 
    • Led by Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and Sean Suder (ZoneCo), the meeting will gather public feedback on the draft zoning code, which proposes:
      • Creating a walkable mixed-use district along Warrensville Center Road 
      • Allowing ADUs
      • Updating parking standards
      • Adding architectural guidelines
    • Residents are encouraged to review the draft code and share feedback before it moves to the City Council. 

Akron & Summit County Land Bank 

• “Made in Akron” Housing Design Initiative (RFP Issued) The City of Akron and Summit County Land Bank launched Made in Akron, a new initiative seeking architects to design pre-approved home plans to expand affordable housing. The program will provide permit-ready single-family, duplex, and small multi-family designs free or at minimal cost, cutting design expenses and accelerating neighborhood revitalization. 

Bedford Heights

• Ordinance No. 070.26 – Rental Inspection Fees 
  • Amends Ordinance No. 089-23 (§1311.32) to clarify that rental unit inspection fees directly correspond to the city’s cost of service, ensuring compliance with fiscal transparency standards.

Berea 

• Ordinance No. 9-10 – Zoning Map Amendment 
  • Rezones select parcels from the Uptown District to Multi-Family Residential (MFR) to encourage higher-density housing consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. 
• Ordinance No. 9-8 – Residential Rental Property Permits 
  • Repeals and replaces Chapter 1331 of the Codified Ordinances to create registration requirements for both long-term and short-term rental properties. Sponsored by Council Member Brown, the legislation followed extensive resident input. During adoption, the Council voted 6-0 to remove a duplicate section (§ 1331.07c) noted in Exhibit B. The measure provides Berea’s first comprehensive framework for rental property oversight.

New Franklin 

• Ordinance No. 25-O-04 – Short-Term Rental Regulations 
  • Sponsored by Councilman Allman, this comprehensive STR ordinance requires: 
    • Annual permits ($1,000) and fire inspections 
    • $1 million liability insurance and compliance with occupancy, parking, and noise rules –
    • Prohibitions on events, advertising, or excess vehicles Violations can result in permit revocation and fines up to $1,000 per offense. Existing STRs must apply within 60 days of enactment. 

Cuyahoga County 

• Tax Lien Sale Temporarily Stalled 
  • Plans to sell delinquent property tax liens have been paused temporarily, pending further review. County officials are reconsidering the program’s structure amid concerns about equity, transparency, and the impact on property recovery.

Hudson 

• Resolution No. 25-158 – Side Lot and Vacant Land Transfer Program 
  • Authorizes the City Manager to proceed with the transfer of vacant land through the Summit County Land Bank’s Side Lot and Vacant Land Transfer Program, which seeks to reclaim, rehabilitate, and reuse vacant, abandoned, or tax-foreclosed properties to promote community development and neighborhood revitalization.