Note: This guide synthesizes the provisions of the joint Hartford/Beaver Dam zoning ordinance as provided. Some provisions may be outdated or superseded by later amendments. Always verify current rules and application procedures with the City of Beaver Dam and the Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission before investing or opening a short-term rental.

Overview and Direct Answer: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Beaver Dam, KY?

Short-term rentals (including bed‑and‑breakfasts and boarding/lodging uses) are allowed in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, but only subject to zoning compliance and, in residential zones, as a conditional use approved by the Joint Board of Adjustment. Specifically:

• In R‑1 (low‑density single‑family) districts, bed‑and‑breakfast service is a conditional use permitted “in all residential zones,” requiring Board approval under Article IV, Section 430.
• In R‑2 and R‑3 (two‑family and multi‑family) districts, tourist homes, rooming and boarding houses are listed among principal permitted uses, subject to compliance with the zoning and development standards for those districts.
• In the B‑1 Central Business District, hotels and motels are permitted by right.
• In B‑2 Neighborhood Business and B‑3 Highway Business districts, hotels and motels are permitted (standard commercial listings in B‑2, confirmed permitted in B‑3). In residential zones, operating a short‑term rental without the required conditional use approval (where applicable) is a violation. Commercial lodging uses must meet all district standards and development requirements. Always confirm your specific property’s zoning and whether you need a conditional use permit prior to opening.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Beaver Dam

• Confirm zoning and permitted use

  • Identify the zoning district of your property (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, B‑1, B‑2, B‑3).
  • In R‑1, obtain conditional use approval for bed‑and‑breakfast service before operation.
  • In R‑2/R‑3, tourist homes, rooming/boarding houses are principal permitted uses but must meet district standards and occupancy rules.
  • In B‑1/B‑2/B‑3, hotels and motels are permitted; check site plan requirements and access/parking controls for commercial districts.

• Secure administrative authorizations

  • Apply for any required building permit(s) through the Administrative Officer if structural alterations or accessory buildings are planned (Article III, Section 310).
  • Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) confirming the STR use is permitted and the structure meets minimum standards for human occupancy (Article III, Section 330).

• Meet zoning and district standards

  • Align the property with dimensional standards (lot area, width, setbacks, height) and parking requirements for the district (Articles VI and X).
  • In R‑3, follow minimum lot areas for multi‑family and standards for single‑ vs. multi‑story dwellings.

• Obtain conditional use approval (if required)

  • Submit a conditional use permit application to the Joint Board of Adjustment; the Board may impose conditions (time limits, design standards, parking, noise, etc.) and may review annually for compliance (Article IV, Section 430).

• Register and comply with state/local requirements

  • Kentucky requires registration of transient accommodations (e.g., via the Department of Revenue) for sales and use tax administration of transient room tax; consult the Department of Revenue and local authorities for current requirements and forms.
  • Secure any local business license and/or transient room tax registration if applicable.

• Prepare for enforcement and inspection

  • Maintain compliance with all conditions; the Administrative Officer may inspect, the Planning Commission may initiate enforcement actions, and violations may be prosecuted as Class B misdemeanors (Article III, Sections 340, 350, 360).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

  • Required: In R‑1 for bed‑and‑breakfast service; the Joint Board of Adjustment must approve.
  • Process: Application submitted via Administrative Officer, public notice and hearing, Board decision, conditions may be attached (Article IV, Section 430).

• Building Permit(s)

  • Required: For construction, alteration, moving, demolition, accessory buildings, site preparation for business structures or multiple housing (Article III, Section 310).
  • Application: Plan drawn to scale showing lot dimensions, outside dimensions of structures, uses, yard depths; include City Water and Wastewater Office or County Health Officer certificate approving proposed water/sewer facilities (Article III, Section 320).
  • Issuance: Administrative Officer issues if work conforms; otherwise, written notice of refusal. Permit valid for one year unless substantial progress; renewable without fee prior to void date (Article III, Section 320).

• Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

  • Required: Before use of land or building for the STR; CO confirms conformity to regulations (Article III, Section 330).
  • Exceptions: CO may be waived for residential structures where no rules are violated or for obviously compatible businesses in the area, at Administrative Officer’s discretion (Section 330‑a).

• State/Local Taxes and Registrations

  • Transient room tax and sales/use tax registration may be required for lodging businesses; register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR) and maintain compliance. Confirm any local business licenses or room tax requirements with the City.

• Zoning Compliance Documentation

  • Site/Development Plan: For commercial projects (e.g., new hotel/motel), submit a site plan prepared by a registered land surveyor or professional/civil engineer to the Planning Commission for review and approval (Article VI, Section 670[a]).

• Other Guidelines

  • Home Occupations: Must be clearly incidental and secondary to residential use, conducted only by residents, with limited non‑resident employee(s), no external merchandise display, one non‑illuminated sign, and no adverse neighborhood impacts (definition section). STRs should not be treated as home occupations where a lodging use is involved.

Specific STR Regulations: City of Beaver Dam, Ohio County, and Kentucky

• Zoning use allowances

  • R‑1 Low Density Residential: Bed‑and‑breakfast service permitted as a conditional use (Article VI, Section 661, conditional uses). Approval by Joint Board required (Article IV, Section 430).
  • R‑2 Two‑Family Residential: Boarding/rooming uses may be permissible as conditional uses consistent with R‑1; consult Board of Adjustment for approvals under Section 661(2) if proposed within R‑2.
  • R‑3 Multi‑Family Residential: Tourist homes; rooming and boarding houses are principal permitted uses (Article VI, Section 663, principal permitted uses).
  • B‑1 Central Business District: Hotels and motels are permitted by right (Article VI, Section 671, permitted uses). Residential use on upper floors may be allowed as a conditional use with approved development plan.
  • B‑2 Neighborhood Business District: Hotels and motels are permitted (listing under Section 672 permitted uses); additional commercial conditions apply.
  • B‑3 Highway Business District: Hotels and motels are permitted (Section 673, permitted uses).

• Dimensional and parking standards

  • R‑1: Minimum lot area 10,000 sq. ft.; lot width 75 ft.; front yard 25 ft.; side yard 10 ft.; rear yard 25 ft.; max height 36 ft. or 3 stories; parking and sign regulations apply (Article VI, Section 661; Articles X and XI).
  • R‑2: For single‑family: minimum lot area 8,000 sq. ft., width 60 ft.; for two‑family: 10,000 sq. ft., width 75 ft.; front 25 ft.; side 8 ft.; rear 25 ft.; max height 36 ft. or 3 stories (Article VI, Section 662).
  • R‑3:
    • Single‑story dwellings: minimum lot area 7,000 sq. ft. (single‑family), 9,000 sq. ft. (two‑family), or 7,000 + 4,000 per additional unit (multi‑family); width: 60 ft. (one‑family), 70 ft. (two‑family), 80 ft. (multi‑family); front 25 ft.; side 8 ft.; rear 15 ft.; height 36 ft. or 3 stories.
    • Multi‑story dwellings: 7,000 sq. ft. plus 10 ft. per story per side yard; width 60 ft.; front 25 ft.; side 8 ft.; rear 15 ft.; height 36 ft. or 3 stories (Article VI, Section 663).
  • Business districts: B‑1 has no minimum lot area or setback; max height 36 ft. or 3 stories; B‑2/B‑3 dimensional details depend on specific provisions (Article VI, Sections 671–673).
  • Parking: Off‑street parking and loading standards apply per Article X. Use Article X requirements to ensure the STR meets parking counts and layout standards.

• Administrative and enforcement

  • Administrative Officer: Issues building permits and certificates of occupancy, keeps records, issues correction orders (Article III, Sections 300–330).
  • Building Permits: Required for structural changes, accessory buildings, site preparation; application includes scaled plans and health department/water‑wastewater approvals; 2‑week decision timeline; permit valid for 1 year (Article III, Sections 310–320).
  • Certificate of Occupancy: Required before use; may be waived for certain residential/business cases at the Administrative Officer’s discretion (Article III, Section 330, 330‑a).
  • Enforcement: Violations must be corrected within 30 days (extendable up to 6 months). Violations are Class B misdemeanors; fines up to $250 per conviction; each day is a separate offense; corporate fines up to $5,000 per conviction; penalties for illegal lot transfers also apply (Article III, Sections 350–360).

• Board of Adjustment processes

  • CUPs: Board may approve, modify, or deny; attach conditions; review annually for compliance; revoke for noncompliance (Article IV, Section 430).
  • Variances: Dimensional variances only (height, width, yards), not population density or use; must preserve public safety and neighborhood character; recorded at County Clerk (Article IV, Sections 440–450).
  • Appeals: Filed within 30 days; heard within 60 days; final decisions appealable to Circuit Court (Article IV, Sections 470–480).

• Commercial district access and site plan

  • The Planning Commission controls access to highways and streets; may require shared access or parallel service roads for clusters of commercial establishments (Article VI, Section 670[b]).
  • Commercial developments must submit site/development plans prepared by a registered surveyor or professional/civil engineer (Article VI, Section 670[a]).

• Prohibited uses

  • Hazardous and inert waste storage/incineration, landfills, mining are expressly prohibited (Article VI, Section 641).

• State‑level considerations (Kentucky)

  • Transient room tax and sales/use tax registration apply to lodging businesses; obtain required registration/permits from the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
  • State building, fire, and health codes (and local equivalents) may apply to lodging uses; confirm requirements with local authorities.

Contact Information

• Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission (Zoning Administration)

  • Board meetings: Second Thursday of January, April, July, and October, 6:30 PM, Beaver Dam City Hall.
  • Mailing address: Joint Board of Adjustment; c/o Administrative Officer; Beaver Dam City Hall, 309 West Second Street, Beaver Dam, KY 42320.
  • Phone/email: Not specified in the provided zoning ordinance.

• City of Beaver Dam

  • City Hall (Administrative Officer office may be co‑located or coordinated here)
  • Address: 309 West Second Street, Beaver Dam, KY 42320.
  • Phone/email: Not specified in the provided zoning ordinance.

• Ohio County Clerk’s Office (Recording of variances and conditional use permits)

  • Address: Ohio County Courthouse (specific office not provided in source material).
  • Phone/email: Not specified in the provided zoning ordinance.

Recommended next steps for contact verification:

• Call Beaver Dam City Hall and the Joint Planning Commission to confirm current Conditional Use Permit application forms, CUP review timelines, building permit and Certificate of Occupancy procedures, and any local business licensing or room tax requirements.
• Verify zoning maps and any adopted updates since the ordinance’s latest noted revision (October 3, 2024 in the provided PDF).

Source Pages

• Hartford and Beaver Dam Zoning Ordinance (Joint Zoning Ordinance)
  • URL: www.occzoning.com/Zoning%20Ordinance.pdf
  • Relevant provisions: Article I (Title and Jurisdiction), Article II (Definitions), Article III (Building Permits, CO, Enforcement, Penalties), Article IV (Board of Adjustment, CUPs, Variances), Article V (Nonconforming Uses), Article VI (Districts, R‑1/R‑2/R‑3, B‑1/B‑2/B‑3), Article VIII (Access), Article X (Parking/Loading), Article XI (Signs), Article X (Off‑Street Parking and Loading).

Disclaimer: The ordinance text provided appears to reflect revisions up to October 3, 2024 and includes earlier revisions dating back to the early 1990s. Confirm with current officials whether any amendments have superseded specific sections (e.g., conditional use criteria, fees, contact details, or additional STR‑related local rules).