Lexington, KY Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Private-event curfew
- No parties 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
- Commercial special events
- Prohibited at all times
- Event size cap
- Cannot exceed max occupancy
- 1st offense fine
- $125
- Revocation risk
- 2 violations in one license term
Summary
Lexington short-term rental licensees may not host weddings, parties or other private events between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and commercial special events are banned at any hour. Private events held within those hours, or any event exceeding the unit's maximum occupancy, put the licensee's registration at risk.
Short-term rentals shall not be utilized for private events, such as weddings or parties, in which the number of participants exceeds the maximum occupancy limit described in this section. No private events, such as weddings or parties, shall occur between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Special events for a commercial purpose shall be prohibited at all times;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Republication | Zoning Ordinance: Republication).
Full Breakdown
Code of Ordinances § 13-79 sets a duty on every licensee: 'Short-term rentals shall not be utilized for private events, such as weddings or parties, in which the number of participants exceeds the maximum occupancy limit described in this section. m. ' This sits alongside the licensee's broader duty to post an emergency contact, police/fire/EMS numbers, and the maximum occupant count inside the rental, and to ensure the property is never the site of assault, sexual offenses, prostitution, controlled-substance, weapons, gambling, or other felony activity (excluding cases where the licensee or resident is the victim).
A violation of § 13-79's event restrictions is a violation of 'sections13-76 through 13-82' for purposes of both the escalating civil-fine schedule in § 13-81 and the two-strikes revocation rule in § 13-77, a late-night party complaint that results in a citation counts toward the two violations that trigger license revocation.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the § 13-79 event-timing rule draws the same escalating civil penalty schedule as other short-term rental violations: $125 for a first offense, $250 for a second, $500 for a third, and $1,000 for a fourth or later offense under § 13-81, with each day of a continuing violation after notice treated as a separate offense. Two such violations in one license term can also trigger revocation of the special fees license under § 13-77.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I host a wedding at my Lexington short-term rental at night?
Is there a cap on how many people can attend a daytime event?
What happens if a licensee's STR hosts a banned late-night party?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
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