LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Changes might be on the way for anyone who runs an Airbnb or other short-term rentals in Louisville.
Monday, the Planning Commission considered more than a dozen recommended changes to the regulations.
They included restricting occupancy to 12 adults, and even fewer if the Board of Zoning Adjustment wants to add further restrictions.
Additionally, owners would be required to live at a residence for at least six months before submitting an application, and the annual registration fee would increase to $250.
That's up from $100.
The recommendations come after concerns about short-term rentals ruining the feeling of community in neighborhoods.
District 8 Councilman Ben Reno-Weber supports the changes. He says they keep investors within commercial zones and protect residential areas.
"Because those neighbors did not sign up to live in a commercial area. They signed up to live in a residential area," he said. "It's not fair for the home buyers. It drives up our housing prices that are already under pressure."
However, Airbnb operators say short-term rentals support them and the city.
"Our properties bring in a lot of money for the city of Louisville," one owner said.
"I'm trying to supplement my income. I'm trying to preserve, maintain, protect, and pay for the historic property that I own. With rising taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance costs, the struggle is real every day," another owner said.
But Councilman Reno-Weber assures the policies will help them too.
"If you live in the house that you're going to rent out, this is only going to work in your benefit. I think it's really being thoughtful for making it easy for people who are operating in ways that we want them to operate while kind of edging out the people who are not," he said.
The Planning Commission sent the recommendations to the Metro Council with some slight adjustments.
The Louisville Metro Council will have to ultimately approve any regulation changes.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.