Saturday December 6, 2025
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In December 2015, Metro Council passed an ordinance to regulate the use of short term rentals; customers often book short term rentals through online platforms such as AirBnB, VRBO, and others. City leaders have been monitoring implementation of this ordinance and the evolution of the new shared economy. Louisville Metro Department of Develop Louisville, Metro Council District 8 and Louisville Tourism have partnered to propose changes to the short term rental ordinance (Chapter 115.515-521 of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances and Chapter 4 of the Land Development Code) in response to the growing popularity of this tourist experience and how to best integrate it into our neighborhood fabric.
“Tourism is flourishing in our city and in addition to the number of hotels opening, we are also seeing a growth in the use of short term rentals, which allow visitors a unique way to experience our beautiful neighborhoods and vibrant commercial corridors,” said Jeff O’Brien, Director of Develop Louisville. “When welcoming this new form of the shared economy, we must also make sure that short term rentals and their occupants harmonize with neighbors and these proposed changes to our ordinance will help us better achieve that.”
“Short term rentals are good for our city but these changes are needed to upstream and toughen enforcement against illegal operators,” District 8 Metro Councilman Brandon Coan said. “Neighbors deserve these additional protections and they will serve all legal operators well.”
“As destinations around the country work to keep up with growing shared economy options for travelers, Louisville Tourism is proud to be among those that are embracing their short term rental community,” Louisville Tourism President & CEO Karen Williams said. “Now, like with traditional lodging, the transient room tax collected can be invested in marketing Louisville and we are working with our local partners, in Airbnb for example, on efforts to attract even more visitors using their properties as assets.”
Proposed changes include:
- Limiting the number of individuals eligible to reside in a short term rental to ten (10). The proposed changes would permit the number of individuals who can reside in a short term rental to two (2) times the number of bedrooms plus four (4) with a limit of ten (10) individuals.
- Allowing short term rental in properties zoned EZ-1. A map of EZ-1 zoned properties that would be eligible can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/short-term-rental-in….
- Requiring that an emergency contact for each short term rental reside in Jefferson County.
- Eliminating an initial registration fee, which was $25. Under the proposed changes a $25 fee will be required upon renewal.
- Prohibiting the advertising of a short term rental if it is not registered with the city of Louisville. Enforcement for advertising a short term rental without registering it results in a notice of violation for a first offense and a $50 fine for every additional day that the short term rental remains advertised.
- Introducing a new enforcement process: a first offense results in a $50 fine, a second offense results in a $250 fine, a third offense results in a $500 fine, and any additional offense results in a $750 fine.
To view the proposed changes in their entirety and to provide feedback, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/short-term-rental-in….
Develop Louisville staff will be presenting these proposed changes to the Planning Commission after all public feedback has been reviewed. Once approved by the Planning Commission, then the changes will go before Metro Council. Not all municipalities with zoning authority in Jefferson County have approved a short term rental ordinance.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
What is the latest on the Hepatitis A outbreak in Metro Louisville? Who makes sure restaurants are clean and prepare food safely? Who controls the mosquito population? Where do I go to learn about lead poisoning prevention?
The answers to those and many other questions can be heard at the next South Central Regional Forum which will focus on the work of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness on Wednesday, August 15th.
“This forum will take a look at many of the programs the Department handles on a daily basis to keep all of us safe,” says Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24). “We will also hear an update on how Louisville is dealing with the recent outbreak of Hepatitis A. It’s time for everyone to be aware of what we are doing to bring this under control.”
The forum is set for the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Councilwoman Flood says there will be information on how to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A, as well as, other health information.
Nick Hart, Environmental Health Manager of the Department has been invited to answer any and all questions about a wide range of topics. The Environmental Health Division monitors compliance and provides education and enforcement in many areas including:
- Food Safety
- Hotels/Motels
- Swimming Pools
- Lifeguard Certification
- Mobile Home Parks
- Septic and Onsite Systems
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention/Lead Abatement
- Mosquito Control
- Rabies control/ Animal Bites/Animal Quarantine
- Tattoo/Body Art/Piercing Studios and Certifications
- Hazmat Response
- Radon
- Smoke-Free Ordinance
- Children’s Meal Ordinance
The South Central Regional Forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council Members James Peden (R-23), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).
Louisville Metro Police Department and Code Enforcement will be in attendance.
For more information about this South Central Regional Forum, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
President David James thanked everyone on Monday for another successful “Back to School” effort to get needed school supplies for needy students in District 6 schools.
“With a new school year under way, we wanted to make sure these children received the things they need for learning for the new school year is to make sure school supplies are delivered to the schools in need,” said James.
James and the volunteers had collected donations of schools supplies from Walmart and Kosair Charities. Those donations were be sorted on Friday and then delivered to six schools on Monday, August 13th between 8:30am to 11:00am.
The schools are Wheatley, Frayser, McFerran, Cochran, Brandies, Englehard and Noe Middle School.
“Kosair is happy to work with President James and our other great partners and make sure children have the tools they need to start the school year on the right path. Whenever you help a child, you help secure a brighter future for all of us,” said Keith Inman, President of Kosair.
The donated supplies include:
Crayons
Notebooks
Pencil boxes and pouches
Backpacks
For more information about the Back to School giveaway and future events in District 6, contact the President’s office at 574-1106.
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
Representatives from the Louisville Metro Council’s Minority Caucus as well as Louisville Metro Police and Jefferson County Public Schools will participate in an event to demonstrate a new tool that has been purchased to help deter speeding and promote safety. A total of nine new SpeedAlert web-enabled radar display devices will be announced and demonstrated. Representatives from Louisville Metro Police as well as Jefferson County Schools will also use this event as an opportunity to remind citizens of the importance of observing proper safety precautions, especially when driving near a school.
When: 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 13
Who: Louisville Metro Councilmembers, Louisville Metro Police Department and Jefferson County Public Schools
Where: Bowen Elementary School, 1601 Roosevelt Avenue (Off LaGrange Road)
Additional Information: a SpeedAlert web-enabled radar display will be located in the front parking lot of Bowen Elementary. A Second SpeedAlert radar device will be located onsite for those persons wishing to get video of the machine in operation.
For additional information related to this release or the nine members of the Louisville Metro Council’s Minority Caucus, contact Chris Lewis at 574-1118 or chris.lewis@louisvilleky.gov.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
On Saturday, August 11th The 23 Zone is ready to once again give back to the community when the next “Feed the Block, the Back to School Edition” gets underway with free food, fun and other things to help children and people in the community.
“This is a great event that brings together local businesses, community volunteers and young people to help grow a spirit of help and concern for the people of the neighborhood,” says President David James (D-6).
The 23 Zone, located at 2621 4th Street, is no stranger to hosting “Feed the Block”. This is the store’s eleventh cookout since it opened. The purpose is a simple one; many of the store’s customers want to give back to the community.
A wide range of volunteers from local youth sports and activity groups are giving of their time at the event. The store’s location is in an area that has dealt with drugs and the less fortunate who sometimes go hungry.
In addition to food, The 23 Zone has donated shoes and clothes in the past to people in need that attend the cookout. This year, there is a back to school donation drive to help low income families and needy children get a good start to the school year.
“We are truly fortunate to have The 23 Zone and dedicated volunteers help our community,” says President James. “So if you are in need, please come. If you want to give your time and help out, you can come too.”
“Feed the Block, the Back to School Edition” gets under way at 1:00pm and goes until the food runs out. The event is hosted Kentucky Ambition AAU and Kourtesy’s Kupcakes. It is sponsored by Booth and Son Concrete & JiggaMCC Entertainment.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Rick Blackwell announces the next “Coffee with your Councilman” is set for Saturday, August 11th. It is an opportunity for District 12 residents to meet with their Councilman.
It will take place at Sister Bean’s Coffee House, 5225 New Cut Road, beginning at 10:00am to 12:00 pm.
There is no formal program and no need to sign up, just stop by and talk with the Councilman about any issue or concern you may have for District 12 or Southwest Louisville.
For more information about this “Coffee with your Councilman,” contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge (D-3) is inviting everyone to come out to this year’s Unity in the Community Festival on Saturday, August 11th in Algonquin Park. This annual event is a fun filled afternoon and evening for the entire family.
“Summer is winding down and the start of school is just around the corner. This Festival is a chance for everyone to have a little fun at the park and our help children get ready for the beginning of a new school year,” says Woolridge. “We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves as we have some summer fun.”
A highlight of the Festival is a Back to School Back Pack and School Supply giveaway. 500 back packs will be given away while they last. All children must be accompanied by an adult to receive a backpack and supplies.
For children there will be free face painting and a free inflatable bouncy. The Festival will also feature free blood pressure screening and a voter registration booth.
There will be free hot dogs, sodas and water.
Summer entertainment this year will be provided by two great groups of musicians: The Unlimited Band and The Eddie Abraham Band.
“This is truly a community event with a purpose: making sure our children are ready for school while helping families prepare them for the new school year. We also want to kick back and have a little fun in Algonquin Park which is such a great asset to the community,” says Woolridge. “I hope everyone will come out and join us.
The Unity in the Community Festival will get underway from 3:00pm to 8:00pm in Algonquin Park located at Cypress and Burwell Streets.
For more information, contact Councilwoman Woolridge’s office at 574-1103.
