Lexington County Implements Short-Term Rental Fees in 2025

News Summary

Starting January 1, 2025, Lexington County will introduce new regulations for short-term rentals, including a $320 annual fee for property owners. With around 600 rental locations already identified, the county aims to improve community standards and address concerns over traffic, noise, and trash. Property owners will be notified monthly, while new regulations will ensure responsible renting practices. The ordinance also states guests must be at least 25 years old. Local property owners express concerns that these changes may affect tourism and local businesses.

Lexington County Readies for Short-Term Rental Changes in 2025

Hey, Lexington County residents! Big news is coming your way. Starting January 1, 2025, a new set of rules regarding short-term rentals is gearing up to transform the way many of us engage with vacation homes and rental properties in our lovely county. That’s right, if you’ve been running a short-term rental, whether it’s an Airbnb, VRBO, or any other rental service, it’s crucial to keep reading!

What’s This All About?

The Lexington County Council has approved an ordinance that introduces an annual fee of $320 for each short-term rental property. And just in case you’re wondering, a short-term rental is defined as any property rented out for a duration of 1 to 29 days. That means if you’re renting out a cozy cabin for a weekend getaway or a beach house for a week, these regulations will apply to you.

What’s Changing?

The county is taking proactive measures to keep things in check, especially with around 600 short-term rental locations already identified in the unincorporated neighborhoods of Lexington County. The plan is to ensure that everyone is adhering to some standards. The county is even partnering with a compliance company to help pinpoint these rentals, ensuring proper oversight.

A Friendly Heads-Up

Property owners will soon receive letters regarding these new regulations, with about 50 letters being sent each month. If you get one, you’ll have 30 days to respond and jump through some application hoops. This may include providing a site or sketch plan of your location—so get those pencils ready! The county estimates that the entire permitting process for these 600 rentals will take around 12 to 18 months.

Why the Change?

You might be asking yourself why the county is implementing this ordinance. Well, the answer is all about improving the quality of life for the community. Concerns have arisen related to traffic, noise, and the all-too-frequent issue of trash. The county hopes that by introducing regulations, they can make sure everyone is playing nice and maintaining the peace.

Some Owners Aren’t Happy

long-term rentals.

Additional Regulations to Consider

grandfathered in!

Who’s Going to Oversee This?

Urban Areas, You’re Next!

density restrictions for rentals in those bustling neighborhoods. Expect finalized rules to also include things like ensuring a local representative is available within 45 minutes to address issues arising from rentals, and occupancy rules that state no more than two people per bedroom (not including kids under five). Ouch! Don’t forget about parking too—c’mon folks, let’s not block the street!

Conclusion

three days to be exact—because failure to act could lead to the revocation of your permit. So keep an eye on your mailbox and your property, because changes are on the horizon in Lexington County!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Lexington County Implements New Short-Term Rental Regulations Starting January 2025
Lexington County Unveils New Short-Term Rental Regulations Effective January 2025
Changes to Short-Term Rental Regulations Set to Begin in Lexington County on January 1, 2025
Columbia’s New Airbnb Regulations Show Early Signs of Positive Impact
Columbia’s New Short-Term Rental Rules: Are They Making a Real Impact?
Columbia’s New Short-Term Rental Regulations: Striking a Balance Between Homeowners and Operators
Pawleys Island, South Carolina Tops List as Best Place to Buy Beach House for Short-term Rentals
Airbnb Uses Anti-party Technology to Monitor Memorial Day Weekend Rentals and Minimize Disruption

Additional Resources

• WLTX News
• The State
• Post and Courier
• Kentucky.com
• Lexington Chronicle

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.