Louisville Airbnb Hosts Must Register Properties Annually

New city rules require short-term rental owners to get permits and pay fees to operate legally

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Airbnb hosts in Louisville, Kentucky must register their properties annually with the city's Office of Planning and obtain a Tax Reporting Number from the Revenue Commission. Hosts must also provide proof of residency if the rental is their primary home. Failure to register can result in fines starting at $125 for a first offense, and repeat violations can reach $1,000 per day. Depending on zoning, some rentals also require a Conditional Use Permit, which involves a public hearing and approval process.

Why it matters

Louisville has had short-term rental regulations in place since 2015, but the rules have been updated several times, most recently in 2023. These requirements aim to ensure Airbnb and other vacation rental hosts are operating legally and safely within the city, while also generating tax revenue from the booming home-sharing industry.

The details

To register an Airbnb or other short-term rental in Louisville, hosts must submit an annual application and $250 fee to the Office of Planning. If the rental is the owner's primary residence, they must provide at least two documents proving residency, such as a Kentucky ID and voter or vehicle registration. Incomplete applications are not accepted. Failure to register can result in fines starting at $125 for a first offense, and repeat violations can reach $1,000 per day. Advertising an unregistered short-term rental can also bring a $125 per day fine. Depending on zoning and proximity to other permitted rentals, some properties may also require a Conditional Use Permit, which involves a public hearing and approval process.

  • Louisville Metro Council passed the initial short-term rental regulations in 2015.
  • The rules have been updated several times since, most recently in 2023.

The players

Louisville Metro Government

The local government in Louisville, Kentucky that oversees the city's short-term rental regulations and permitting process.

Office of Planning

The Louisville city department responsible for registering short-term rental properties and issuing permits.

Revenue Commission

The Louisville city agency that issues Tax Reporting Numbers to short-term rental hosts.

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What they’re saying

“Turning a spare room or second property into an Airbnb may sound like easy money, but many first-time hosts in cities like Louisville quickly learn that there is more to it than setting a rate and listing some photos.”

— Marina Johnson, Author (courier-journal.com)

What’s next

The city of Louisville will continue to enforce the short-term rental registration requirements, and hosts who fail to comply face escalating fines.

The takeaway

Louisville's short-term rental regulations aim to ensure Airbnb and other vacation rental hosts are operating legally and safely within the city, while also generating tax revenue from the growing home-sharing industry. First-time hosts must navigate the registration process, which includes annual fees and, in some cases, obtaining a Conditional Use Permit.