Lexington limits non-owner-occupied short-term rentals to a capped number of rental nights per year in certain zones, protecting residential neighborhood character.
Under Chapter 14A of the Lexington Code of Ordinances, non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential zones are subject to annual night caps designed to prevent full-time hotel-like operations in neighborhoods. Owner-occupied properties where the host lives on site typically enjoy more flexibility, while non-owner-occupied rentals face an annual cap of rental nights. Hosts must track booked nights and be prepared to produce records on request. Exceeding the cap can trigger fines and revocation of the LFUCG STR registration under Ordinance 14-2020. Commercial and mixed-use zones may allow unlimited nightly rentals, which is why some investors cluster along corridors like Short Street and Nicholasville Road.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Lexington's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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