Franklin County, KY Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

The Franklin County Fiscal Court ties registration to the conditional use permit that every non-owner occupied short-term rental needs. Section 155.089, note (27)(i), says all short-term rental hosts must submit an annual registration form to the Department of Planning and Building Codes to ensure that all requirements of the conditional use permit are being met, including smoke detectors, and must also obtain a Franklin County business license. Note (27)(j) adds an exit duty: if the short-term rental ceases operations, the host must notify the Planning and Building Codes Department so the county keeps an up-to-date record of operating short-term rentals.

The fee sits in § 150.03, the zoning, building and storm water management review fee schedule, which lists Short term rental annual registration at $250. Note (27)(k) subjects the use to all applicable taxes, including state and local transient room tax and state sales tax. Registration does not replace the permit itself. Under § 155.048, the Board of Zoning Adjustments hears conditional use permit applications, can attach conditions, and can revoke a permit for non-compliance. After the conditions are met, § 155.048(E) treats the use as permitted only for the specific use approved, only at the location approved, and only for the person to whom the Board issued the permit.

The same note (27) caps stays at 29 consecutive days for the same occupant and limits the unit to a single short-term rental contract at a time. This code applies in unincorporated Franklin County. Frankfort has its own code.