New short-term rental regulations passed by Council

Written By Adrian Paul Bryant

Short-term rental approximate locations in Lexington. Data from AirDNA, image from Lexington's Division of Planning.

Last Thursday, Council voted to approve a package of new regulations of unhosted short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnbs and Vrbos. Unhosted STRs are units where the operator does not live on the property of the STR.

The new regulations are primarily addressing the density of unhosted STRs. Many Lexington residents, especially in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, have been concerned about large amounts of unosted STRs clustering tightly together. The new regulations restrict STR density in the following ways:

  • A new unhosted STRs unit cannot be located within 600 feet of another unhosted unit.

  • A new unhosted STR cannot be approved if 2% of housing units within 1,000 feet are currently unhosted STRs.

    • Some exceptions are included for units that are directly adjacent to commercial zones.

The new regulations also set a maximum occupancy for STRs at 10 guests.

These regulations will take effect on December 12th, 2024.

Adrian Paul Bryant

Adrian Paul Bryant is CivicLex’s Civic Information Specialist, reporting on City Hall meetings and local issues that affect Lexingtonians every day. Raised in Jackson County, Adrian is a lifelong Kentuckian who is now proud to call Lexington home.

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