La Grange, Kentucky Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in La Grange?

La Grange hosts earn a median $30,181/year with $205 ADR and 57% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,506+ per year.

See the full La Grange market breakdown

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):

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

For La Grange City Properties:

Contact Stephanie Wenther at Code Enforcement to determine license type needed
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:

Short-Term Rental Permit from Oldham County Planning & Zoning
Planning & Zoning Ordinance Compliance (must read before applying)
Monthly Transient Room Tax Forms (due 15th of every month)
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:

Short-Term Rental License (residential areas) or Business License (commercial districts)
Business License Application with fee calculation
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

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

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Ask the AI Advisor about La Grange

La Grange is a small, welcoming city in Oldham County, Kentucky, with a population of approximately 9,000 residents. It sits in the rolling countryside of north-central Kentucky, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Louisville, and is part of the Louisville metropolitan area. The town has a friendly, small-town character anchored by a walkable historic downtown, and it serves as a convenient gateway to Louisville's urban attractions as well as Kentucky's celebrated bluegrass and horse-country landscapes.

The La Grange Railroad Museum celebrates the town's deep railroading heritage, which is still visible in the active CSX line that runs through the heart of downtown. Visitors can explore exhibits on the history of the railroad in Oldham County and the role the line played in shaping the community, all within a short walk of Main Street. The museum is essentially in the center of town, making it an easy stop for travelers exploring the area on foot.

Just a few miles south in Crestwood, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens offers 33 acres of formal gardens, a castle-like stone home, and walking trails that showcase both native Kentucky plants and exotic species. About a 10- to 15-minute drive from La Grange, it is a popular year-round destination with seasonal plant sales, classes, and family events that draw visitors from across the Louisville region.

Louisville itself, less than half an hour to the southwest, brings world-class attractions within easy reach of a La Grange stay. The city is home to Churchill Downs, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Waterfront Park along the Ohio River, along with a celebrated bourbon and food scene. A short drive farther east opens up Kentucky's horse country, with thoroughbred farms, bourbon distilleries, and the rolling pastures that have defined the region for generations.

La Grange is a compelling base for short-term rentals because it offers the charm and quiet of a historic small town while keeping Louisville's major attractions, the bourbon trail, and Kentucky's iconic horse country within a short drive. Visitors who stay here enjoy a relaxed setting with local restaurants, antique shops, and a strong sense of community, all without sacrificing easy access to the broader region's cultural and natural draws. For travelers who want a slower pace with big-city amenities nearby, La Grange strikes an appealing balance.