Kentucky short-term rental regulations

Kentucky · The Bluegrass State4 markets coveredUpdated Apr 17, 2026

Restriction mix4 markets

Prohibited0

Strict0

Moderate4 · 100%

Permissive0

Sort

Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

4 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Bardstown

Kentucky

Moderate

Bardstown requires 'Tourist Homes' (STRs) to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Joint Planning Commission in most residential zones, followed by an...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Lexington

Kentucky

Moderate

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government requires all short-term rentals to be licensed and inspected as of July 2023.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

Frankfort

Kentucky

Moderate

Frankfort requires annual registration by May 1, a $250 regulatory fee, and enforces density caps and conditional use permits for non-owner occupied units in...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $2500.2% tax

Louisville

Kentucky

Moderate

Louisville Metro requires all short-term rentals to register annually and pay a $100 fee.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence

Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Neighboring states & common comparisons

Virginia21 markets Ohio20 markets Tennessee

Disclaimer: Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your local planning department before operating a short-term rental.