Transient rentals coming to Vermilion

VERMILION — After years of public discussion and debate, Vermilion officials finally took a stance on transient rentals, allowing them across the city. During a recent public meeting, city council members approved Vermilion's first transient rental law, which goes into in effect in mid-September. The term "transient rental" is coined for short-term visits where people stay in properties not zoned for hotels, motels and the like. People can often view these properties on sites like Airbnb and VRBO. Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer noted the legislation contains provisions to "regulate private residences operating as lodging businesses. One of the new features of the new legislation requires the administration to conduct inspections of those structures being rented." Regarding the inspections, they'll "be done every other year as long as the units are rented," Forthofer said. Those providing spaces for people to stay must pay a $300 fee each time an inspection occurs Other neighboring waterfront communities, namely Sandusky and Huron, previously enacted legislation to accommodate transient rentals, which often transform blighted and/or underused spaces into five-star-like lodges. Dozens, if not hundreds, of these properties exist across the two cities. Right now in Vermilion, there's no limit as to the number of transient rental properties citywide. "This is another way for people to enjoy our beautiful community but, in doing that, we can to make sure those people stay safe, and this legislation aims to do that with the people renting out their properties," Forthofer said.