Kentucky Short-Term Rental Laws by City (2026)
Short-term rental rules in Kentucky are set city by city — a property that is legal to rent nightly in one town can be prohibited a few miles away. The table below covers 1 Kentucky city (1 human-verified against official sources), with each city's legal status, permit cost, and last-verified date.
Statewide short-term rental rules in Kentucky
Kentucky has no statewide short-term-rental registration or permit; the only state-level obligations are tax-related. Since January 1, 2023 the 6% state sales tax and a 1% statewide transient room tax apply to stays under 30 days, and booking platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) are required by statute to collect and remit both the state and local transient room taxes. There is no state preemption law — cities and counties retain full authority to zone, permit, cap, or ban STRs — though preemption bills (SB 110 in 2025, SB 112 in 2026) have been introduced and so far failed to advance.
| City | Status | Permit fee | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | Restricted | $250 | July 21, 2026 |
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This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Regulations change frequently — verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating. HOA and condo rules may prohibit short-term rentals regardless of city law.