Short-Term Rental (STR) & Bed and Breakfast Establishments Information Sheet
Online services, such as Airbnb and VRBO, are very popular platforms and marketplaces. However, their popularity and ease should not be confused with a lack of risk. Below are several considerations an owner must take into account before offering a property as a short-term rental or bed and breakfast establishment to protect themselves and their interests. This list is NOT exhaustive, but it should give you a good start in understanding applicable permitting, licensing, approvals, rules, etc.
Zoning Regulations
Governing rules differ based on the particular zoning district. An owner should contact the Planning Commission to determine the property’s existing zoning and identify zoning requirements for operating a short-term rental or bed and breakfast establishment.
Joint City-County Planning Commission of Barren County
126 E. Public Sq., 2nd Floor, City Hall, Glasgow
(270) 659-0661
www.jccpc-ky.com
Building Code
Short-term rental and bed and breakfast establishments must comply with applicable requirements of the Kentucky Building Code. An owner should contact the Barren County Building Inspector’s office to determine requirements, permitting, and inspections for their establishment.
Barren County Building Inspector
126 E. Public Sq., 2nd Floor, City Hall, Glasgow
(270) 651-3921
Fire Code
In the City of Glasgow, short-term rental and bed and breakfast establishments must comply with applicable fire code requirements. An owner should contact the Fire Marshall to determine requirements, permitting, and inspections for their establishment.
Fire Marshall, Glasgow Fire Department
203 S. Broadway Street, Glasgow
(270) 651-5170
https://cityofglasgow.org/city_departments/fire/
Food Safety
An owner operating an establishment serving food is required to apply for and receive a permit to operate from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Environmental Office – Barren County Health Department
318 W. Washington Street, Glasgow
(270) 651-8321
www.barrenriverhealth.org
Business Licenses
An owner must obtain an occupational/business licenses for any establishment within the Cities of Glasgow, Cave City, and Park City.
City of Glasgow
126 E. Public Sq.
(270) 651-5131
http://www.cityofglasgow.org
City of Cave City
103 Duke St.
(270) 773-2188
https://cavecity.ky.gov
City of Park City
41 Mammoth Cave Ave.
(270) 749-5695
www.cityofparkcityky.org
Transient Room Tax
Owners are responsible for payment of the applicable percentage transient room tax and should contact the Glasgow-Barren County Tourism Commission for the City of Glasgow and Barren County. Please contact Cave City City Hall and Park City City Hall for their respective tax rates and fees.
118 E. Public Sq., Glasgow
(270) 479-7259
www.betterinthebarrens.com
Restrictive Covenants
Owners who live in a development or subdivision with restrictive covenants should determine if the covenants regulate rental activity. Restrictive covenants often include provisions that prohibit rental or commercial activities, and other similar provisions, any one of which might prevent an owner from renting his or her property as a short-term rental or bed and breakfast establishment. Restrictive covenants may also include rules and regulations for the development that should be shared with potential renters.
Barren County Clerk’s Office
117 N. Public Sq., Glasgow
(270) 651-3783
https://barren.countyclerk.us
Insurance
An owner should also review his or her insurance policies to make sure that they cover injuries or losses arising from the use of the property by renters. Some homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover these claims. An uninsured injury or loss has the potential of exposing an owner to liability far in excess of the benefits associated with the short-term rental or bed and breakfast establishment.
Other Legal Considerations
An owner who intends to make a property available for short-term rental or as a bed and breakfast establishment should seek legal advice to determine if a different form of ownership is needed to provide anonymity or protect from individual liability and to prepare an occupancy agreement specific to the arrangement the owner wishes to establish with the occupant.
Other Taxes and Fees
An owner should be aware that short-term rental and bed and breakfast establishments may be subject to other local, state, and federal taxes, regulations, and rules, including but not limited to the 1 percent state transient room tax and 6 percent sales tax.
Disclaimer: The Joint City-County Planning Commission of Barren County has made every attempt to make sure that the information contained herein is complete, up-to-date and accurate. However, this does not release the property owner and/or business operator from their obligation to verify the information and the obligation to comply with the regulations listed above and any other applicable rules, requirements or regulations.
Last Modified: September 19, 2023