Louisville, KY Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- LMCO § 119.03
- Fee basis
- Zoning classification of property
- Re-registration
- Within 30 days of ownership change
- First-offense penalty
- $100 per rental unit
Summary
Louisville Metro requires owners of rental housing units to register each property with Codes and Regulations and pay a nonrefundable fee before renting.
The Owner(s) of any rental housing unit, other than those exempted under § 119.02, shall register all rental housing units with Louisville Metro in accordance with the provisions of this section. The Director of Codes and Regulations shall take all steps necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
(2) An Owner(s) of any multi-unit rental housing facility is not required to submit separate registrations forms for each individual rental housing unit. The Owner(s) of any multi-unit rental housing facility may register the facility as a whole; provided, however, that the registration form shall include a list by rental unit number of each rental housing unit contained in the multi-unit rental housing facility.
(B) (1) The registration form shall be available for property owners online through the Louisville Metro Department of Codes and Regulations, and shall include the following information:
(a) A description of the rental housing unit by street address;
(b) The year the rental housing unit was constructed;
(c) The name, mailing and physical address(es), telephone number, and email address of the Owner(s) of the property;
(d) The name, mailing and physical address(es), telephone number, and email address of the responsible managing operator;
(e) If the Owner(s) is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or similar entity, in addition to the information required
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Louisville Metro Code § 119.03, owners of rental housing units must register with Louisville Metro's Department of Codes and Regulations, listing the property address, year built, owner and managing-operator contact information, and pay a nonrefundable fee based on the property's zoning classification. Multi-unit facilities can register as a whole rather than filing per unit. A change of ownership triggers re-registration within 30 days, and unregistered units become subject to Department inspection after a 30-day notice period. Short-term rentals, hotels, boarding houses, and a handful of other exempt uses fall outside this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register a rental housing unit is a civil offense carrying a $100 penalty per unit for a first offense under § 119.99, plus possible Department inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landlords in Louisville have to register rental units?
What happens if a rental unit isn't registered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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