Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Flemingsburg?

• Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. The City of Flemingsburg explicitly recognizes short‑term rentals (leases for less than 180 days) as a separate category from residential long‑term rentals.
• The City’s Residential Rental Unit Permit Ordinance (Ordinance No. 10‑23‑1, adopted October 2023) requires permits and inspections for traditional, non‑owner‑occupied rental housing (leases 180 days or longer). However, it does not require a City rental permit for short‑term rentals.
• Short‑term rentals are treated as commercial businesses and must meet all applicable building, health, fire, and safety codes (see Compliance Requirements below).
• Owners remain responsible for payment of utility bills (utility service cannot be transferred to occupants) and for compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code, International Residential Code, Kentucky Building Code, and related regulations.

Note on Fleming County: The provided sources do not include county‑level zoning or permitting requirements that specifically regulate short‑term rentals. Where this guide references county rules, it is limited to confirming no STR‑specific permit was identified in the provided materials. For definitive zoning or licensing requirements that might apply at the county level, verify directly with Fleming County officials (contact section below).

How to start a short‑term rental business in Flemingsburg

• Verify compliance pathway:
  • Your STR must comply with the City’s definition of “short‑term rental” (less than 180 days).
  • Because short‑term rentals are treated as commercial businesses, you must ensure the use is permitted at your property’s zoning classification. If your property is in a zoning district that restricts commercial lodging uses, you may need a variance or special exception through the Board of Adjustment. Confirm with Flemingsburg Planning & Zoning (see Contacts).
• Confirm code compliance:
  • Building, fire, and safety codes apply. Ensure your property meets the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Residential Code (IRC), Kentucky Building Code (KBC), and any related fire/life‑safety standards applicable to transient lodging.
  • If the STR is part of a mixed‑use building, ensure that any applicable occupancy classification and egress requirements are satisfied.
• Utility arrangements:
  • Keep all utility accounts under the owner’s name; transfers of utility service to occupants are prohibited under City code.
• Registration and taxes:
  • City rental permits are not required for short‑term rentals under Ordinance 10‑23‑1.
  • If you provide transient accommodations (generally lodging for fewer than 30 days), Kentucky law allows counties to levy a transient room tax; some counties also levy a local transient room and/or transient occupancy tax. Because Fleming County did not provide a published transient tax in the sources, confirm whether any County or local transient tax applies (contact the Fleming County Judge/Executive’s office and the Kentucky Department of Revenue).
• Insurance:
  • Carry adequate liability and property insurance appropriate for a commercial lodging operation. Specific coverage requirements were not provided in the City ordinance; consult your insurer.
• Platform compliance:
  • Many short‑term rental platforms require proof of local compliance (permits, tax registration, etc.). While the City does not require a City STR permit, platforms may still request a local contact or zoning confirmation.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of Flemingsburg — short‑term rentals:
  • No City rental unit permit is required for STRs.
  • Must meet building, health, fire, and safety codes (IPMC, IRC, KBC, and related regulations).
  • Utility bills remain the owner’s responsibility (no transfer to occupants).
• Building and safety compliance:
  • Ensure conformance with the International Property Maintenance Code, the International Residential Code, and the Kentucky Building Code (and any fire/life‑safety codes adopted by the City).
• Zoning confirmation:
  • Confirm your zoning allows lodging/STR use; if not, coordinate with Flemingsburg Planning & Zoning on potential approvals (variance, special exception).
• Taxes:
  • Verify whether a local transient room tax or occupancy tax applies (Fleming County does not publish a tax in the provided materials). Register and remit any applicable taxes (County/State, if applicable).
• Ongoing obligations:
  • Maintain compliance with codes at all times; respond to City code enforcement if complaints are received; keep insurance current; maintain utility accounts under owner name.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals

• City of Flemingsburg (Ordinance 10‑23‑1):
  • Definition of STR: Residential space leased for less than 180 days.
  • STRs are not required to obtain a City rental unit permit (permits are required for traditional, non‑owner‑occupied rentals with leases of 180 days or more).
  • STRs are treated as commercial businesses and must comply with the IPMC, IRC, and KBC and related safety codes.
  • Utility responsibility: Utility bills for STRs remain the sole responsibility of the property owner and cannot be transferred to occupants.
  • Inspections/complaints: The City’s designee (Code Enforcement Officer) may inspect rental units when there are complaints of violations of any local, state, or federal fire, zoning, property maintenance, building code, or other laws.
• County (Fleming County):
  • The provided sources do not include county‑level zoning ordinances or STR‑specific licensing requirements. Confirm directly with county officials whether any local taxes, zoning, or permitting rules apply.
• State of Kentucky:
  • Counties may impose a transient room tax on lodging accommodations. Applicability and rates vary; Fleming County did not publish a tax in the provided documents.
  • State building codes apply to construction and safety of STRs. Ensure compliance with IRC and KBC and any adopted fire/life‑safety codes.
  • City and county short‑term rental rules can vary; verify any additional local requirements.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

• City of Flemingsburg — Code Enforcement Officer (City’s designee under Ordinance 10‑23‑1)
  • Primary contact: City Clerk
    • Name: Katie Adamson, City Clerk
    • Phone: 606‑849‑2338
    • Email: Not provided in the source
    • City Hall address: 207 Court Square, Flemingsburg, KY 41041
  • City Attorney (Ordinance preparation/interpretation)
    • Name: Darréll K. Ruark, Esq.
    • Firm: Suit, Price, Price & Ruark, PLLC
    • Address: 207 Court Square, Flemingsburg, KY 41041
    • Phone: 606‑849‑2338
• Flemingsburg Planning & Zoning (zoning/land‑use verification and approvals)
  • Phone: 606‑845‑2321 (per County ADU overview reference)
• Fleming County Government (county tax, zoning, and permitting questions)
  • Website: www.flemingcountyky.us/contact.asp
  • Note: County STR‑specific regulations were not identified in the provided materials.

Source pages and official documents

• Ordinance No. 10‑23‑1 (Residential Rental Unit Permit Ordinance, City of Flemingsburg)
  • URL: kypublicnotice.com/KYLegals/2023/70144-2023-10-18_1003.pdf
• Fleming County ADU overview (context on county land‑use contacts)
  • URL: www.zookcabins.com/regulations/adu-regulations-in-kentucky

Important note for investors

• The City recognizes STRs (less than 180 days) and exempts them from the residential rental permit regime. However, STRs must still satisfy building, fire, health, and safety codes, and zoning must permit lodging uses.
• Confirm any local transient room or occupancy taxes with Fleming County officials before launching.
• Keep all utilities under the owner’s name; transfers to occupants are prohibited.

If you need help verifying zoning classification, structuring a compliant STR operation, or navigating potential variances in Flemingsburg, consult the City’s Code Enforcement Office (via the City Clerk) and the City Attorney, or speak directly with Flemingsburg Planning & Zoning.