Lexington, KY Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy source
- Conditional use permit, or Zoning Ordinance by zone
- Resident counted
- Any permanent resident present during a stay
- Posting duty
- Max occupancy posted inside the unit
- Advertising duty
- Max occupancy stated in every ad
- 1st offense fine
- $125
Summary
A Lexington short-term rental may hold only the maximum number of occupants set in its conditional use permit, or otherwise the applicable Zoning Ordinance limit for that zone. Any permanent resident present during a stay counts toward that cap, and the limit must be posted inside the unit and stated in every advertisement.
May be occupied by the maximum number of individuals provided in the licensee's conditional use permit, if applicable, or otherwise the Zoning Ordinance, as applicable in the relevant zone. Any permanent resident of the dwelling unit present during the short-term rental period shall count toward the maximum occupancy; ... 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.
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
' The same section bars private events from exceeding that occupancy figure and requires the licensee to post the maximum occupant count in a conspicuous location inside the rental. ' Advertising is tied to the same cap: § 13-80 requires every advertisement for the rental, including on hosting platforms, to include 'language specifying the allowed maximum number of occupants allowed under this article' and language telling guests they may not bring more people onto the premises than that maximum permits.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the posted occupancy limit, or advertising the rental without the required occupancy-limit language, is a violation under §§ 13-76 through 13-82, subject to civil penalties from $125 for a first offense up to $1,000 for a fourth or later offense under § 13-81. Two such violations within one license term expose the licensee to revocation of the special fees license under § 13-77.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Lexington STR's maximum occupancy set?
Does the host count toward the occupancy limit?
Do Lexington STR listings have to state the occupancy limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
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