| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | 3% transient room tax (Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist Commission); Kentucky state 6% sales/use tax also applies |
| Permit Fee | Occupational/business license required from the city; fee amount not specified in publicly available documents — contact City of Bardstown or Nelson C |
| Penalties | Not publicly specified; violations subject to code enforcement and CUP revocation |
| Occupancy Limit | Determined by zoning district; confirm with Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County |
Short-term rentals in Bardstown, Kentucky are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Occupational/business license required from the city; fee amount not specified in publicly available.
Short-term rental operators in Bardstown should be aware of these tax obligations: 3% transient room tax (Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist Commission); Kentucky state 6% sales/use tax also applies.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Bardstown include: Occupancy limit: Determined by zoning district; confirm with Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Bardstown: Governing rules differ by zoning district. Conditional use permits required for STRs in residential and agricultural zones. A temporary moratorium on new CUPs for STRs in residential and agricultural . Density rules: Not specified beyond conditional use permit process.
Hosts who fail to comply with Bardstown's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Not publicly specified; violations subject to code enforcement and CUP revocation.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Bardstown but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. STRs are allowed in Bardstown but require a conditional use permit (CUP) from the Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County and an occupational/business license from the city. A moratoriu
Yes. Bardstown requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Bardstown are subject to the following tax obligations: 3% transient room tax (Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist Commission); Kentucky state 6% sales/use tax also applies.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Bardstown may face enforcement. Not publicly specified; violations subject to code enforcement and CUP revocation.
Bardstown is a popular Kentucky tourism destination ('Bourbon Capital of the World'). The city enacted a temporary moratorium in March 2024 on new STR conditional use permits in residential and agricultural zones due to housing stock concerns. Post-moratorium updated regulations are to be confirmed. Transient room tax of 3% applies. Business license required for all operators.
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