Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bardstown?

**Yes**, Bardstown requires a Conditional Use Permit for 'Tourist Homes' in most residential zones. You need to apply through the Joint Planning Commission, followed by an annual City Occupational License which costs $250. This is in addition to standard Kentucky state requirements for lodging businesses. Operating without proper permits may result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in Bardstown?

**4% TOT** is the local transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Bardstown. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city, in addition to the state's 6% sales tax. Check with the city's finance department to confirm collection and remittance procedures.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Bardstown?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally permitted in Bardstown, but with restrictions. Most residential zones require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a 'Tourist Home.' You must obtain this permit from the Joint Planning Commission before you can legally rent your property out on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.

How much does an STR permit cost in Bardstown?

**$250** is the fee for the annual Occupational License required to operate a short-term rental in Bardstown. This is in addition to the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Joint Planning Commission, though fees for the CUP are not specified. Contact the Bardstown City Clerk for details.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Bardstown?

**No**, according to current regulations, tenants are not permitted to operate short-term rentals in Bardstown. The regulations state that only property owners can apply for the Conditional Use Permit necessary to legally host on platforms like Airbnb. Renters should check with their landlords for clarification.

Bardstown

Moderate

KentuckyUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 5 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 5

Summary

Plain-english overview

Bardstown requires 'Tourist Homes' (STRs) to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Joint Planning Commission in most residential zones, followed by an annual City Occupational License. Hosts are responsible for a total transient tax rate of 10%, which includes state and local city/tourism taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Bardstown, you must first check your zoning. Most residential areas require you to go through a public hearing process to get a 'Conditional Use Permit' before you can start renting. After getting that permit, you must also register for a local business license with the City Clerk and ensure your property passes a fire safety inspection. You will be required to collect 4% in local room taxes on top of the state's 6% sales tax, though major platforms may handle the state portion for you.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time4-8 weeks (requires public hearing for CUP)

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Most residential zones (R-1 through R-3) REQUIRE a public hearing and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) before operating.
2Bardstown is distinct from unincorporated Nelson County; rules and fees differ if you are outside city limits.
3You must post your local permit/license number in your online listing description.
4A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 1 hour.
5Off-street parking requirements are strictly enforced based on the number of bedrooms.
6ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) may have additional restrictions or may not be permitted for STR use depending on specific CUP conditions.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Bardstown: CUP REQUIREMENT: You cannot simply register; you must undergo a public hearing process for a Conditional Use Permit.
Bardstown requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
Bardstown: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements17 rules

Bardstown: PRIMARY RESIDENCE: Most residential zones require the owner to live on-site during all guest stays.
Bardstown: ZONING BOUNDARY: Rules for the City of Bardstown differ from unincorporated Nelson County; check your exact address.
Bardstown: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process8 rules

Bardstown STR permit - Step 3: Zoning Compliance & Inspections. Obtain Zoning Compliance Permit and schedule building/fire safety inspections. Time: 14 days.
Bardstown STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification & Moratorium Check. Contact NCPZ to verify if your property is in a zone currently affected by the 2024 moratorium. Time: 1-3 days.

Taxes3 rules

Bardstown charges a Local Transient Room Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms remit the 3% local and 1% state room tax since Jan 2023.
Bardstown: TAXES: Total lodging tax is 10% (6% state sales + 1% state room + 3% local room tax).
Kentucky has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Bardstown: OCCUPANCY LIMIT: Guests are strictly limited to 2 persons per rented bedroom.
Bardstown enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Bardstown occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom rented. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Bardstown: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements2 rules

Bardstown: FIRE INSPECTION: A mandatory fire and building code inspection is required before the first booking.
Bardstown requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Building code compliance inspection by Nelson County Code Enforcement, Fire Marshall inspection.

Penalties2 rules

Bardstown enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by zoning violation. Daily fine: Up to $500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Bardstown: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Bardstown: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Bardstown exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Bardstown

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Contact the Joint Planning Commission to determine if your zone requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Most residential zones require a CUP.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Conditional Use Permit

Submit a CUP application to the Joint Planning Commission. This involves a public hearing where neighbors are notified.

30-60 days$250

Documents needed

Site plan
Parking plan

Official resource

Step 3

Obtain City Occupational License

Once the CUP is approved, apply for a Business/Occupational License with the City of Bardstown.

1 week$75

Documents needed

Approved CUP

Official resource

Step 4

Fire Safety Inspection

Schedule an inspection with the Bardstown Fire Department to ensure compliance with safety standards.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

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 city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Bardstown

Moderate

KentuckyUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 5 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 5

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time4-8 weeks (requires public hearing for CUP)

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Most residential zones (R-1 through R-3) REQUIRE a public hearing and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) before operating.
2Bardstown is distinct from unincorporated Nelson County; rules and fees differ if you are outside city limits.
3You must post your local permit/license number in your online listing description.
4A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 1 hour.
5Off-street parking requirements are strictly enforced based on the number of bedrooms.
6ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) may have additional restrictions or may not be permitted for STR use depending on specific CUP conditions.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Bardstown: CUP REQUIREMENT: You cannot simply register; you must undergo a public hearing process for a Conditional Use Permit.
Bardstown requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
Bardstown: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements17 rules

Bardstown: PRIMARY RESIDENCE: Most residential zones require the owner to live on-site during all guest stays.
Bardstown: ZONING BOUNDARY: Rules for the City of Bardstown differ from unincorporated Nelson County; check your exact address.
Bardstown: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process8 rules

Bardstown STR permit - Step 3: Zoning Compliance & Inspections. Obtain Zoning Compliance Permit and schedule building/fire safety inspections. Time: 14 days.
Bardstown STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification & Moratorium Check. Contact NCPZ to verify if your property is in a zone currently affected by the 2024 moratorium. Time: 1-3 days.

Taxes3 rules

Bardstown charges a Local Transient Room Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms remit the 3% local and 1% state room tax since Jan 2023.
Bardstown: TAXES: Total lodging tax is 10% (6% state sales + 1% state room + 3% local room tax).
Kentucky has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Bardstown: OCCUPANCY LIMIT: Guests are strictly limited to 2 persons per rented bedroom.
Bardstown enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Bardstown occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom rented. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Bardstown: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements2 rules

Bardstown: FIRE INSPECTION: A mandatory fire and building code inspection is required before the first booking.
Bardstown requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Building code compliance inspection by Nelson County Code Enforcement, Fire Marshall inspection.

Penalties2 rules

Bardstown enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by zoning violation. Daily fine: Up to $500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Bardstown: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Bardstown: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Bardstown exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Bardstown

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Contact the Joint Planning Commission to determine if your zone requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Most residential zones require a CUP.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Conditional Use Permit

Submit a CUP application to the Joint Planning Commission. This involves a public hearing where neighbors are notified.

30-60 days$250

Documents needed

Site plan
Parking plan

Official resource

Step 3

Obtain City Occupational License

Once the CUP is approved, apply for a Business/Occupational License with the City of Bardstown.

1 week$75

Documents needed

Approved CUP

Official resource

Step 4

Fire Safety Inspection

Schedule an inspection with the Bardstown Fire Department to ensure compliance with safety standards.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

Apply for Conditional Use Permit

Obtain City Occupational License

Fire Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bardstown?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bardstown?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Bardstown?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Bardstown?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Bardstown?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

Apply for Conditional Use Permit

Obtain City Occupational License

Fire Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bardstown?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bardstown?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Bardstown?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Bardstown?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Bardstown?

Disclaimer