Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Bowling Green, KY

Airbnb listings are allowed in Bowling Green, KY, but with restrictions. Maximum occupancy is limited to 10 guests per rental unit. Rentals are categorized as Boarding Houses (non-owner occupied), Bed and Breakfast Homes (owner-occupied, <5 guests), or Bed and Breakfast Inns (owner-occupied, 6+ rooms), each with specific safety requirements like interconnected smoke detectors and emergency lighting. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Maximum occupancy is limited to 10 guests per rental unit. Rentals are categorized as Boarding Houses (non-owner occupied), Bed and Breakfast Homes (owner-occupied, <5 guests), or Bed and Breakfast Inns (owner-occupied, 6+ rooms), each with specific safety requirements like interconnected smoke detectors and emergency lighting.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Bowling Green. Submit a Short Term Rental Permit application via the ePermits portal or Building Division office and pay the $45 fee. Schedule and pass required inspections for building code compliance (change of use review). The permit is issued once all reviews and conditions are approved.

Submit a Short Term Rental Permit application via the ePermits portal or Building Division office and pay the $45 fee. Schedule and pass required inspections for building code compliance (change of use review). The permit is issued once all reviews and conditions are approved.

Vrbo is permitted in Bowling Green, KY under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Bowling Green are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Bowling Green. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.