Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Jefferson County, KY

Airbnb listings are allowed in Jefferson County, KY, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as stays under 30 days. They are restricted by zoning; owner-occupied units may be allowed administratively in many residential zones, while non-owner-occupied units in residential/office-residential zones require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with a 600-foot spacing requirement from other CUP-approved STRs. Hosts must provide an emergency contact within 25 miles and meet specific safety requirements including smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguishers. 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.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as stays under 30 days. They are restricted by zoning; owner-occupied units may be allowed administratively in many residential zones, while non-owner-occupied units in residential/office-residential zones require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with a 600-foot spacing requirement from other CUP-approved STRs. Hosts must provide an emergency contact within 25 miles and meet specific safety requirements including smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguishers.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Jefferson County. 1. Register with the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission for a Tax Reporting Number. 2. If required by zoning, obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which involves a pre-application conference and neighborhood meeting. 3. Submit the STR Annual Registration form to the Office of Planning with a $250 fee; registrations must be renewed annually.

1. Register with the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission for a Tax Reporting Number. 2. If required by zoning, obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which involves a pre-application conference and neighborhood meeting. 3. Submit the STR Annual Registration form to the Office of Planning with a $250 fee; registrations must be renewed annually.

Vrbo is permitted in Jefferson County, 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 Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.