Sandusky’s Airbnb showdown: City Commission proposes major policy shift

Moratorium on new short-term rental properties set to expire in May

SANDUSKY — The battle over the future of residential housing in Sandusky came to a head at the City Commission’s public hearing on Monday, where city staff presented a controversial policy shift aimed at curbing the rapid expansion of transient rental properties, commonly known as Airbnbs or VRBOs.

The proposed changes, put forward by the Planning Division, were met with some pushback from residents and elected officials alike, who argued the measures don’t go far enough to address a growing housing crisis and fear the policy hands crucial zoning power to an unelected board.