B & B Rules and Regulations

The bed and breakfast home is a home based business opportunity that has experienced a great deal of interest around the entire country. Laws and regulations on bed and breakfast operations are just now beginning to catch up with this part of the travel and tourism industry. Laws will vary from state to state and even county to county. Some of the more common state laws that could apply to a bed and breakfast are here. For complete information, contact sourcesin your own state or check with your own local officials.

One,two, and three family dwellings with not more than five lodgers or boarders are exempt from the requirements of the Ohio Basic Building Code. However, the requirements of your local building codes would be applicable.

With more than five lodgers or boarders, the Ohio Basic Building Code would be applicable as either transient ( use group R-1) or non-transient ( use group R-2) residential buildings. Transient lodgers make use of a facility for a period of less than 30 days. Again, check with your own local codes.

The local fire department has jurisdiction to inspect all bed and breakfast operations which have four or more bedrooms hired out to the transient public for sleeping accommodations.

In Ohio, all bed and breakfast homes which have five or mor bedrooms are subject to inspections by the State Fire Marshall's office.

For additional information on fire inspection, contact your own state or local fire department.

In Ohio, any bed and breakfast serving a meal or lunch to five or fewer guests is exempt from purchasing a food service license. Any bed and breakfast serving a full meal or lunch to more than six guests must obtain a food service license with the exception that there is no restriction on the number of guests that may be served a "continental" breakfast. A "continental" breakfast is defined as a beverage and pastry.

You will need to contact your local county health department for rules and regulations specific to your area.

In Ohio, any bed and breakfast which has five or more rooms for transient guests must purchase a motel license and comply with the requirements of the State Fire Marshall's office. Check with your state officials for any requirements in your location.

Ohio law requires that any business name that does not fully identify the owner(s) of the business be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. Also, if you wish to protect or keep the name that you have selected for your business, it will be necessary to apply for a trade name registration with the Ohio Secretary of State.

For more information on registering a name and/or trade name, contact your own state government.

In Ohio, a bed and breakfast with five or more bedrooms available to transient guests is considered a hotel and the sales tax is applicable to the room rental charge. Also a "bed tax" is applicable to a bed and breakfast with five or more rooms.

You will need to check with your own State Department of Taxation for rules and regulations.

Zoning is a locally enacted law.The requirements which apply to youd bed and breakfast will vary from one location to another. Contact your local zoning board for details in your area.