Short-term rentals have been one of the more contentious fights at Louisville Metro Council in recent years — registration fights, Conditional Use Permit disputes, and neighborhood pushback have made STRs a genuinely difficult category to operate in. A midterm rental sidesteps almost all of it, because of one number: 30 days.
The actual rule
Louisville Metro defines a short-term rental as “a dwelling, such as a residence or apartment, that is rented or leased to a tenant or guest for less than 30 consecutive days.” Anything rented for 30 consecutive days or longer simply is not a short-term rental under the ordinance, full stop (Louisville Metro Government). Ordinance details can be amended, so always confirm current requirements before relying on this for a specific property or transaction.
What a true short-term rental has to do
An STR host must complete annual registration with the Office of Planning (a $250 application fee per property) and register with the Revenue Commission for tax purposes. Depending on zoning and owner-occupancy status, a Conditional Use Permit may also be required — and in Old Louisville and the Limerick neighborhood, a CUP is required even for an owner-occupied primary residence. Failing to register carries escalating fines from $125 up to $1,000 for repeat offenses, plus $125 per day for advertising an unregistered unit.
Why a 30-plus-day rental skips all of it
None of that registration, CUP, or fine structure applies once a rental runs 30 consecutive days or longer. A midterm rental — the kind travel nurses, relocating employees, and displaced homeowners actually need (see our full guide to midterm rentals in Louisville) — is a standard rental transaction under ordinary landlord-tenant law, not an STR. That is a real, practical advantage for an owner who wants furnished-rental income without the zoning fights and registration overhead that come with operating a true short-term rental.
What this does not exempt you from
Falling outside the STR ordinance does not mean falling outside real estate law generally. Kentucky still requires a real estate license to negotiate leases or manage rental property for someone else for compensation, and a midterm tenant staying 30-plus days is a real tenant with real protections under Kentucky landlord-tenant law — which means the lease and insurance still need to be structured correctly.
How Winner Realty can help
If you are deciding between a short-term rental, a midterm rental, and a standard lease for a Louisville property, that decision has real regulatory and financial consequences worth getting right before you furnish anything. Reach out to schedule a time to talk through it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact day threshold for a short-term rental in Louisville?
Under 30 consecutive days. A rental of 30 days or more is not considered a short-term rental under Louisville Metro’s ordinance.
Do I need a Conditional Use Permit for a midterm rental?
No. Conditional Use Permits under the short-term rental ordinance apply to rentals under 30 days. A midterm rental is not subject to that requirement.
Can short-term rental rules change?
Yes, Louisville Metro Council has actively revisited short-term rental rules in recent years, so it is worth confirming current requirements before relying on any specific detail for a transaction.