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When is rental registration or license renewal due in Cleveland?
Short answer
Annual rental registration for non-owner-occupied units ($70 per unit): code says apply by March 1; City says fees due by March 31
When: Every year by March 1; alternative date March 31 (window opens January 1)
Register every non-owner-occupied residential unit each year and before tenants move in. Codified Ordinance 365.02 says annual applications are due on or before March 1; the City's registration page says renewals open January 1 and all fees must be paid by March 31. Filing by March 1 satisfies both.
"Application for a certificate of non-owner-occupied residential unit registration required by this Housing Code shall be made annually, on or before March 1st of each calendar year" codelibrary.amlegal.com
"For annual renewal applications, you can apply any time after January 1st. All fees must be paid by March 31st. For new applications, you can apply throughout the year. Rentals must be registered before tenants occupy the property." clevelandohio.gov
"All owners of non-owner-occupied residential properties are required to register. The fee is $70 per unit" clevelandohio.gov
Annual rental registration for non-owner-occupied units ($70 per unit): code says apply by March 1; City says fees due by March 31 Verified
Deadline: Every year by March 1; alternative date March 31 (window opens January 1)
Register every non-owner-occupied residential unit each year and before tenants move in. Codified Ordinance 365.02 says annual applications are due on or before March 1; the City's registration page says renewals open January 1 and all fees must be paid by March 31. Filing by March 1 satisfies both.
Who it covers: Includes units occupied by relatives or friends rent-free. A Certificate Approving Rental Occupancy is also required before renting (no open violations, taxes current, lead-safe compliance; owners outside Cuyahoga or a contiguous county must name a local agent). Report contact changes within 7 days. Expired certificate: $70 plus $100 late fee.
"Application for a certificate of non-owner-occupied residential unit registration required by this Housing Code shall be made annually, on or before March 1st of each calendar year" codelibrary.amlegal.com
"For annual renewal applications, you can apply any time after January 1st. All fees must be paid by March 31st. For new applications, you can apply throughout the year. Rentals must be registered before tenants occupy the property." clevelandohio.gov
"All owners of non-owner-occupied residential properties are required to register. The fee is $70 per unit" clevelandohio.gov
"Such an owner, before renting such a unit, shall obtain a Certificate Approving Rental Occupancy." codelibrary.amlegal.com
"For property owners outside of Cuyahoga or a contiguous county the appointment of a local-agent-in-charge who resides in the county, will now be required." clevelandohio.gov
Notes: Cleveland Codified Ordinances 365.02, 365.03; Building & Housing rental registration page. The code (March 1) and City page (March 31) give different dates.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction