Short-term rentals in Butler County present new opportunities — and challenges
Jeff Smith of Butler didn’t expect to be running a short-term rental.
“When we refurbished our building on Main Street, originally, my son stayed there, and then my daughter and her husband stayed there. We fixed it up, and it was a pretty nice place. We looked at some different options, and we said we would try listing it as an Airbnb,” he said. “I was really surprised with the response.”
Since opening his property to short-term rentals less than a year ago, Smith says he has seen a lot of interest from travelers. Wedding guests, sports event photographers, parents dropping their children off at college, and visitors from across the state have stayed at his property.
“It’s just been really positive. The demand for it has been higher than what we had anticipated,” Smith said.
As short-term rental options expand, Butler County officials approach the business opportunity with both interest and caution.
Zelienople recently voted to advertise a proposed ordinance for public review that would create location restrictions for Airbnb rentals and require a $100 license. The move comes in the wake of an April incident in Pittsburgh, where a party held at an Airbnb became violent, and two teenagers died.
A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.
