Lexington, KY Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy threshold
- Minimum 275 days/year (§13-76)
- Residence limit
- One primary residence per person
- Proof required
- ID + tax/bank/vehicle/utility document
- False claim penalty
- License denial or revocation (§13-77(h))
Summary
Lexington-Fayette limits an individual to one primary residence, and Sec. 13-76 requires 275 days of actual occupancy a year before a property counts as that primary residence for short-term rental purposes: the threshold hosted STR status depends on.
Primary residence shall mean the permanent residence or the usual place of return for housing of the owner of the short-term rental, the operator of the short-term rental, or an individual who otherwise consents to be an agent of the owner or operator for the purposes of this article, as documented by the following: One of the following: Un-expired driver's license; or Current voter registration; and One of the following, dated within the past year: Tax document showing the premises as the individual's residence; or Bank statement; or Motor vehicle registration; or Utility bill. An individual may only have (1) primary residence and must reside there for a minimum of two hundred seventy-five (275) days during the calendar year.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 13-76 defines primary residence as the permanent residence or usual place of return for housing of the owner, operator, or an agent of either, documented by an un-expired driver's license or current voter registration plus one of: a tax document showing the premises as the individual's residence, a bank statement, a motor vehicle registration, or a utility bill, each dated within the past year. The same definition caps an individual at one primary residence and requires at least two hundred seventy-five days of occupancy there during the calendar year.
That threshold determines whether a rental can be licensed as hosted, since Sec. 13-76 defines a hosted short-term rental as one where the primary resident continues to occupy the property during the rental. If a property does not meet the 275-day, documented-residence test, it is classified un-hosted under the same article, and under Sec. 13-77 a change between hosted and un-hosted status automatically expires the special fee license, requiring a new application.
Violations & Fines
A false claim of primary-residence status on a Sec. 13-77 license application is grounds for the Director to refuse or revoke the license under Sec. 13-77(h) for an intentional or knowing false statement on a material matter. General article violations also carry Sec. 13-81 civil penalties escalating from $125.00 for a first offense up to $1,000.00 for a fourth or later offense, with each continuing day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days a year must I live in a Lexington property for it to count as my primary residence?
What proof does Lexington require of primary residence status?
Can I own a Lexington short-term rental that isn't my primary residence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
Compare Lexington to another location·View the Kentucky short-term rentals overview
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