Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Stanton, KY?

Explicit answer: Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Stanton, KY under City Ordinance 22-002. However, they are subject to comprehensive requirements:

• STRs must be registered with the Planning & Zoning Office.
• Operators must obtain a business license and remain current on all city taxes.
• STRs may operate only in R-1 or R-2 zoning districts and require a Conditional Use Permit from the Board of Adjustment (annual review).
• Additional obligations include off‑street parking, strict signage rules, and the ability for the Zoning Administrator to inspect the interior upon proper notice.

If you plan to operate outside R-1/R-2 or fail to meet the operational standards, the city can deny or revoke your license.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Stanton

A practical, step-by-step pathway:

1. Confirm zoning eligibility
   • Verify the property lies within an R-1 or R-2 zoning district.
2. Secure a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
   • Apply through the Board of Adjustment. The Board meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM; the Planning Commission meets the same evening at 6:30 PM. CUPs are reviewed annually.
3. Register the STR
   • Submit the Short-Term Rental Registration Form to the Planning & Zoning Office.
4. Obtain a business license
   • File the Business License Application with the annual fee and ensure you are current on all city taxes.
5. Set up taxes
   • Prepare to collect and remit the city’s 3% Transient Room Tax (monthly reporting using the city’s form). Also plan for Powell County’s separate 3% transient room tax.
6. Align the property with standards
   • Provide adequate off‑street parking (paved or properly graveled). No on-street guest parking is permitted. Remove or avoid any advertising signage (only address/location signs allowed per city signage rules).
7. Prepare for compliance and inspections
   • Ensure no criminal or nuisance violations occur. Upon proper notice, allow the Zoning Administrator to conduct interior inspections to verify compliance.
8. Annual maintenance
   • Keep the business license current, submit monthly transient room tax, and prepare for annual CUP review.

Board of Adjustment schedule and contact are provided in the Contact Information section below.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Key documents and filings:

• Short-Term Rental Registration Form (Planning & Zoning Office)
• Business License Application (Planning & Zoning Office)
• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Board of Adjustment
• Proof of property ownership or lease agreement authorizing STR use
• Floor plan showing number and location of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Site plan showing the STR location on the lot and designated off‑street parking areas
• City Zoning Permit Application (if any construction, alterations, signs, fences, decks, etc., are planned)
• Floodplain Permit Application (if applicable)
• Transient Room Tax Reporting Form (for monthly filing)

Annual fees and taxes:

• Business license fee: $300 for the first unit; $100 for each additional unit
• City Transient Room Tax: 3% of room rental rates, paid monthly
• Powell County Transient Room Tax: 3% of room rental rates, paid separately to the County

Operational expectations:

• Maintain current city taxes at all times
• Ensure no criminal violations occur on the property
• Ensure no nuisance violations occur on the property
• Provide adequate off‑street parking (paved or properly graveled)
• Comply with strict signage prohibitions (no advertising signs; address/location signs only)
• Permit interior inspection by the Zoning Administrator upon proper notice

Important notes:

• The business license is not transferable between owners. If the property is sold or transferred, the new owner must apply for a new license prior to operating any STR.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning and authorization:

• Permitted only in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts, as a Conditional Use Permit through the Board of Adjustment, with annual review.
• STRs are defined as any dwelling unit not a permanent residence, leased in whole or in part to one party for fewer than 30 consecutive days.

Taxation:

• City transient room tax of 3% due monthly.
• Powell County transient room tax of 3% due separately to the County.
• Operators must remain current on all city taxes.

Property standards and operations:

• Adequate off‑street parking required for each STR. Parking lots and driveways must be paved or properly graveled.
• No on‑street parking for STR guests.
• No advertising signs on the property. Address/location signs are allowed but must otherwise comply with city ordinances.

Compliance and enforcement:

• Operators must prevent criminal and nuisance violations.
• Zoning Administrator may inspect the interior of the rental upon proper notice to ensure compliance.
• Violations of zoning or operational rules can result in denial or revocation of the license/permit.

Licensing:

• Business licenses are not transferable between owners. New owners must apply before operating.
• CUPs are reviewed annually.

Zoning permits:

• Any construction, alterations, sign changes, fences, walls, patios, and decks may require a Zoning Permit under City Zoning Ordinance Article III.
• Commercial construction requires permits through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (contact Ric McNees at 859-595-0689 or ric.mcnees@ky.gov).

Penalties:

• Violations of the Zoning Ordinance may result in fines: up to $250 per violation per day; fines of $100–$250 for violations involving sale/transfer of lots; corporations may be fined up to $5,000 per violation per day (per Zoning Ordinance Article III Section 360).

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• City of Stanton Planning & Zoning Office

  • Address: 98 Court Street, P.O. Box 370, Stanton, KY 40380
  • Phone: (606) 663-6474
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
  • STR Registrar/Zoning Administrator: Ann Snowden (email provided by the city as ann.snowden@stantonky.gov)

• Board of Adjustment

  • Meetings: Third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM
  • Planning Commission: Third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM
  • Location: 98 Court Street, Stanton, KY
  • Contact for submissions/questions: Zoning Administrator at (606) 663-6474

• Permit Portal (for online submissions)

  • Portal: stanton.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/stanton

• Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (for commercial construction permits)

  • Contact: Ric McNees, 859-595-0689, ric.mcnees@ky.gov

• Powell County (for County Transient Room Tax)

  • Information should be obtained directly from Powell County offices/treasurer; the city notes that the County assesses a separate 3% transient room tax.

Links to Source Pages

Official City of Stanton and related forms/ordinances:

• Short-Term Rentals (City): www.stantonky.gov/planning-and-zoning/short-term-rentals
• Ordinance 22-002 (Short-Term Rentals): cityofstanton.sharepoint.com/sites/Ordinances/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FOrdinances%2FShared%20Documents%2FPublic%2FOrdinances%2F2022%2F22%2D002%20Short%20Term%20Rentals%20Ordinance%2Epdf&viewid=b3c4ace4%2D8d78%2D47bb%2Db9cd%2D49d93c98e184&parent=%2Fsites%2FOrdinances%2FShared%20Documents%2FPublic%2FOrdinances%2F2022
• STR Registration Form: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_9bc0fe5c5e584b5489646fee1303d510.pdf
• Business License Application: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_238acae1fefc43218b48c144da3ac8ae.pdf
• Transient Room Tax Reporting Form: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/446b0a_42b1cf8e268d4411b6e336cd1c03d0f0.pdf
• Zoning Permits and related ordinances: www.stantonky.gov/planning-and-zoning/planning-and-zoning-permits
• Zoning Permit Application: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_7703f1ba72d141849e524c0b7c6b1da5.pdf
• Floodplain Permit Application: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_f3f502401aca47d3aa729bc3fd40a294.pdf
• Business License Ordinance: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_54f4917ea4a542f38897e36bd129c4ef.pdf
• Mobile Food Vehicle Ordinance: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_9dfe8e403a4b4c0b81d23408ff3a44b7.pdf
• Mobile Food Truck Application Form: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_b44e57c1a0b641e48d86ea8fdb42d41a.pdf
• Manufactured Home Permit: www.stantonky.gov/_files/ugd/3e3b34_253739f2fb2748bba707f7256bb5fcd1.pdf
• Permit Portal (iWorQ): stanton.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/stanton
• City Website (main): www.stantonky.gov
• Explore Stanton Tourism: www.explorestanton.com/

Third‑party summaries and market insights:

• STRProfitMap – Stanton, KY Regulations Overview: www.strprofitmap.com/regulations/KY/stanton
• RedAwning – Market Overview and Regulation Summary (Stanton, KY): www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/stanton-kentucky
• Summer – Vacation Rental Management (Stanton, KY): www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/stanton-kentucky

Note: Because city and county regulations can evolve, confirm the latest requirements, deadlines, and application procedures directly with the Stanton Planning & Zoning Office and the Powell County offices before operating.