Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in La Grange, KY and throughout Oldham County. Short-term rentals are defined as any home or residential unit rented to guests for stays of less than 30 days. However, the regulatory framework differs significantly based on your property's location within city limits versus county limits, and you must comply with specific permitting, licensing, and tax collection requirements before hosting guests.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

Step 1: Determine Your Property's Jurisdiction

Your regulatory pathway depends entirely on your property's location:

If Inside La Grange City Limits:

• Residential areas: Obtain a La Grange Short-Term Rental License
• Business/commercial districts: Obtain a La Grange Business License

If Outside La Grange City Limits (throughout Oldham County):

• Obtain an Oldham County Planning & Zoning Short-Term Rental Permit

Step 2: Complete Required Application Process

For County Properties (Outside La Grange):

1. Download and review the Oldham Planning & Zoning Ordinance
2. Complete the Short-Term Rental Permit Application
3. Submit to Ryan Fischer at Oldham County Planning & Zoning
4. Once approved, your permit is forwarded to Oldham County Tourism

For La Grange City Properties:

1. Contact Stephanie Wenther at Code Enforcement to determine license type needed
2. Complete appropriate application (STR License for residential areas or Business License for commercial districts)

Step 3: Establish Tax Collection Procedures

Implement systems to collect and remit the required taxes from guests:

• 6% Kentucky Sales Tax
• 1% Kentucky Transient Tax
• 3% Oldham County Transient Room Tax
• Additional 3% La Grange Transient Room Tax (if within city limits)

Step 4: Register with Tourism for Marketing

Complete the Oldham County Tourism Marketing Form and email with property photos to Oldham County Tourism.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Oldham County (Outside La Grange City Limits)

Required Documents:

1. Short-Term Rental Permit from Oldham County Planning & Zoning
2. Planning & Zoning Ordinance Compliance (must read before applying)
3. Monthly Transient Room Tax Forms (due 15th of every month)
4. Tourism Marketing Registration (optional but recommended)

Application Process:

• Submit completed permit application to Ryan Fischer
• Permit approved by Planning & Zoning, then forwarded to Tourism
• Must be obtained before advertising or hosting guests

La Grange City Limits

Required Documents:

1. Short-Term Rental License (residential areas) or Business License (commercial districts)
2. Business License Application with fee calculation
3. City Transient Room Tax Forms (if applicable)

Application Process:

• Contact Code Enforcement to determine required license type
• Submit appropriate application with fees
• Business license minimum fee: $55 (calculated based on gross receipts)

State Requirements (Kentucky)

Tax Collection Obligations:

• 6% Kentucky Sales Tax
• 1% Kentucky Transient Tax
• Must collect from guests and remit to state

Specific Regulations

Definition and Scope

• Short-Term Rental Property (STRP): Any home/residential unit rented for less than 30 days
• Excluded: 30+ day rentals, bed & breakfasts, boarding houses, hotels, motels
• Properties Covered: Primarily residential properties including single-family homes, condos, apartments

Tax Collection Requirements

State Taxes:

• 6% Kentucky Sales Tax
• 1% Kentucky Transient Tax

Local Taxes:

• 3% Oldham County Transient Room Tax (mandatory for all county properties)
• 3% La Grange Transient Room Tax (additional requirement for city properties)

Important: Third-party booking platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, TripAdvisor) collect the 3% local taxes, but YOU remain responsible for filing monthly forms with local authorities.

Filing and Payment Requirements

Oldham County Transient Room Tax:

• File monthly with Oldham County Treasurer
• Due by 15th of every month (for previous month's collections)
• Required even if no collections ($0)
• Contact: Patrick Meador at (502) 222-9357

La Grange Transient Room Tax:

• File monthly with La Grange Tourism
• Due monthly regardless of collection amount
• Contact: Donna Sabo at (502) 558-3904

Zoning Considerations

• Requirements may differ between residential and commercial zones
• Verify your property's zoning classification before applying
• Contact appropriate authority for zone-specific requirements

Contact Information

Oldham County Planning & Zoning (County Properties)

• Contact: Ryan Fischer
• Phone: (502) 222-1476
• Email: rfischer@oldhamcountyky.gov
• Handles: Short-Term Rental Permits for properties outside La Grange city limits

Oldham County Treasurer (Tax Collections)

• Contact: Patrick Meador
• Phone: (502) 222-9357
• Email: PMeador@OldhamCountyKy.gov
• Handles: Monthly transient room tax forms for county properties

La Grange Code Enforcement (City Properties)

• Contact: Stephanie Wenther, Code Enforcement Officer
• Phone: (502) 222-1433
• Email: swenther@lagrangeky.net
• Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST, Monday-Friday
• Handles: Business licenses and STR licenses for properties within La Grange city limits

La Grange Tourism (City Tax Collections)

• Contact: Donna Sabo
• Phone: (502) 558-3904
• Email: lagrangetourism.@gmail.com
• Handles: La Grange Transient Room Tax collection and city-specific tourism matters

Oldham County Tourism (Marketing)

• Contact: Kim Hydes, Executive Director
• Phone: (502) 222-0056
• Email: Director@TourOldham.com
• Handles: Tourism marketing registration and promotion

Additional Resources

• Oldham County Tourism Office: 6826 W State Hwy 22, Crestwood, KY 40014
• Phone: (502) 222-0056
• Toll-Free: (800) 813-9953

Source Pages

1. Oldham County Short-Term Rental Information - Primary source for county regulations, permits, and forms
2. City of La Grange Code Enforcement - City-specific licensing and enforcement information
3. Oldham County Planning & Zoning Ordinance (PDF) - Legal framework for county STR operations
4. Oldham County STRP Permit Application (PDF) - Required application for county permits
5. Oldham County Monthly Transient Tax Form (PDF) - Monthly tax filing form
6. Oldham County Tourism Marketing Form (PDF) - Marketing registration form
7. La Grange Short-Term Rental Application (PDF) - City STR licensing form
8. La Grange Business License Application (PDF) - Business licensing for commercial STR properties

Disclaimer: This guide is based on available information and regulations may change. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with any short-term rental investment or operation.