Louisville Metro's short-term rental ordinance caps non-owner-occupied STRs in residential zones at a limited number of rental nights per year and restricts density (how close two STRs can be) in certain neighborhoods. Owner-occupied hosted STRs face fewer restrictions than whole-home rentals in single-family zones.
Louisville's STR ordinance, adopted in 2016 and amended multiple times, distinguishes between host-occupied short-term rentals and non-host-occupied whole-home STRs. In single-family residential zones, non-host-occupied STRs require a conditional use permit and may be subject to density spacing rules and other limits. Host-occupied STRs where the owner lives on the property generally face fewer restrictions and no hard night cap. Louisville also enforces neighborhood-specific density caps so that whole-home STRs cannot cluster on a single block, addressing affordable-housing concerns. Operators should consult current Chapter 115 text before purchasing a property for STR use, as the ordinance has been revised in response to Metro Council concerns. Violations of night caps, density rules, or operating without a CUP can result in significant fines and registration revocation. Enforcement is driven by platform data review, neighbor complaints, and tax receipt audits by the Kentucky Department of Revenue and Louisville Metro Revenue Commission.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Louisville code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
See how Louisville's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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