Short-Term Rentals in Owensboro, KY (2026)
3 verified short-term rentals rules for Owensboro, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Every person, business, group, or organization that owns or operates a short-term rental in the City of Owensboro must register with the city's Finance Department under Municipal Code § 16-70.39.5. Registration is completed on the city's website, expires after one year, and must be renewed annually or draw a $500 fine.
Owensboro Short-Term Rental Registration Requirement
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 16-70.39.5
All persons, businesses, groups or organizations who own or operate a short-term rental on any premises within the City of Owensboro shall register with the City of Owensboro Finance Department by completing a short-term rental registration form available on the city's website at www.Owensboro.org. A registration shall expire one (1) year from the date it is issued and shall be renewed annually...
Taxes & Fees
The City of Owensboro defines a short-term rental host and broker, including Airbnb, VRBO, and Expedia, under Municipal Code § 16-70.34, and requires the party collecting the rent to file a monthly tax report. A late report is charged a fee of 10 percent of the tax due, at least $25, plus 6 percent annual interest.
Owensboro Short-Term Rental Tax Reporting And Fees
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code §§ 16-70.34, 16-70.39(D)
Broker: Any person, business, group or organization who facilitates or solicits a rental of accommodations of less than thirty (30) days by brokering, coordinating, or in any other way arranging for the rental of the accommodations, and includes Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia and similar businesses. Host: Any person, business, group or organization who is the owner of real property, or any lessee of rea...
Host Platform Liability
Under Municipal Code § 16-70.39, the City of Owensboro requires whichever party receives short-term rental rent, host or broker such as Airbnb or VRBO, to file the monthly transient room tax report and remit the tax. If the broker does not comply, the host remains fully responsible for filing and paying.
Owensboro Hosts Stay Liable If Broker Skips Tax
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 16-70.39
The party receiving the rent, whether the host or the broker, is required to collect all applicable taxes, file the monthly report in a manner and on a form provided by the City of Owensboro Finance Department and comply with all provisions of this division, including remitting all required tax payments. However, if the broker fails to comply with these obligations, then the host remains respon...
Looking for Daviess County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Owensboro city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Daviess County →