Lexington council hears plan for Airbnb, short-term rental regulations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Regulations for Airbnb and short-term rentals could be changing soon in Kentucky.

Lexington council members heard a proposal Tuesday to better regular short-term rentals.

A few changes outlined in the proposal include:

• Any unhosted unit, where the rental operator does not live on the property, must seek a conditional use permit if the rental is in a residential zone
• Rental operators must apply for and maintain an operating license and pay an annual fee
• Operators cannot rent properties in an agricultural zone
• Occupancy cap set at 12 people

“I think the fact that we have short-term rentals in our community and don’t have a pathway for operators and don’t have a place for residents or neighbors to address the issues they may or may not be having with short-term rentals, I think this will get us somewhere moving forward,” said Council member James Brown.

The General Government and Planning Committee voted to move the proposals forward to the full council.