07.14.2023

Today’s Forecast

79º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:19 a.m. | Sunset 7:46 p.m.

STRs, license fees, and guest limits — oh my

The rundown of Lexington’s new short-term rental regulations

New rules will require STR owners to pay annual fees. | Photo by LEXtoday

Lexington has passed regulations for short-term rentals (STRs) — like Airbnb and VRBO — for the first time ever. This means in order to operate in Fayette County, STR owners will have to abide by more mandates. Let’s unpack.

How we got here

In the spring of 2023, the General Government and Planning Committee passed a resolution that would alter city ordinances and how they relate to STRs.

The proposed changes were created by a Lexington Fayette Urban County Government workgroup — which included members of city council, the division of planning, the department of revenue, and research analysts.

The new rules

Now, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council has approved amendments to an ordinance, which will require owners to:

Obtain an STR special fees license
Pay an annual $200 licensing fee + $100 for every additional rental
Include local registration numbers in advertisements
Limit occupancy to 12 guests in residential areas

Owners may be subject to citations and could even lose their special fees license if they violate any rules.

The licenses will give the city a more clear view of just how many STRs are being operated and rented within the city boundaries — a necessity for leaders to make informed decisions in the future.

Owners who apply + receive a conditional use permit can potentially accommodate more guests.

On the other hand, STRs within owner-occupied homes and specific business zones will be exempt from the permit. Additionally, owners with already existing STRs in permit-mandated areas will be grandfathered in.

Following the approval of other ordinances and zone text amendments, STR owners will have six months to be up-to-date to have a license.

Events

Friday, July 14

Parks and Recreation Trivia | Friday, July 14 | 6 p.m. | Myriad Meadery, 732 National Ave., Lexington | Free | Grab your beautiful, glowing sun goddesses and test your knowledge of this beloved TV show.
Keeneland Concours d’Elegance 20th Anniversary Celebration Party | Friday, July 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Spindletop Hall, 3414 Ironworks Pike, Lexington | $125 | Peruse classic cars while enjoying cocktails + hors d’oeuvres to support the Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
Appalachian Shakespeare Center’s “Julius Caesar” | Friday, July 14-Saturday, July 22 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Woodland Park, 601 E. High St., Lexington | $15-$20 | Bring a blanket to enjoy Shakespeare in the park.

Saturday, July 15

Ernest Day | Saturday, July 15 | 12-3 p.m. | Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall, 1315 Winchester Rd. Ste. 321, Lexington | Free | Celebrate the legacy of local comedian Jim Varney by viewing memorabilia + joining in a book discussion.
Bullies, Bananas, & BBQ | Saturday, July 15 | 5:30 p.m. | The Void Sake Co., 49 National Ave. Ste. 190, Lexington | Free | This family-friendly pitbull adoption event will teach you how to foster rescues + Shon’s BBQ will be onsite providing food.
Octane | Saturday, July 15 | 9-11 p.m. | Regal Cinema, 2308 Sir Barton Way, Lexington | Free | Gearheads are invited to Hamburg Pavilion to celebrate car culture and meet like-minded enthusiasts.

Sunday, July 15

Boozy Grown-Up Book Fair | Sunday, July 16 | 1-5 p.m. | Pivot Brewing, 1400 Delaware Ave., Lexington | Free | Browse discounted books and handmade ceramics while sipping local cider.
Ren Faire Cosplay Contest | Sunday, July 16 | 5 p.m. | Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics, and Games, 545 S. Broadway Ste. 160, Lexington | Free | Dress up in your best pirate, viking, or Renaissance costume for a chance to win prizes.
Soulful Sundays | Sunday, July 16 | 5-8 p.m. | Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown St., Lexington | Free | End the weekend with tunes ranging from the 1970s to the 2000s while trying out DJ Smooth’s famous fried fish + wings.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Biz

Jonathan Webb of indoor produce farm AppHarvest will step down from his role as CEO. Jonathan will take over as chief strategy officer + continue as a board member. Current COO Tony Martin — who also has experience in the ag-tech industry — will assume the role of CEO. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Shop

The weekday Lexington Farmers Market will need to find a new home in 2024. With the High Street development beginning soon, the Tuesday + Thursday market on the corner of Broadway and Maxwell will have to move. National Avenue is in talks to be its new location, but nothing is finalized. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Ranked

Congrats to our very own Jeff Ruby’s, which received an Award of Excellence for its wine selection. According to Wine Spectator, the restaurant’s expansive California wine options landed it among eight other honored restaurants in Kentucky. (FOX56)

Cause

Don’t be rubbish. Today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Lex Litter Fest will be happening at Castlewood Park. Here, the community will come together to learn about the impact that littering has on our environment, help clean up the park, and participate in activities like three-on-three basketball + soccer games.

Try This

Don’t have room for your own garden? Head to the Kentucky Castle any day between 1-3 p.m., where you can cut + assemble your very own bouquet and pick fresh veggies and herbs. Having a green thumb has never been easier.

Art

Calling artists of all levels. The Lexington Humane Society needs submissions for its Perfectly Imperfect Pet Art fundraiser, which begins next week. Interested? Email the organization and tell them you’d like to contribute.

Finance

This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: It’s one of the longest 0% intro APR periods we’ve seen.) Details revealed here.*

Travel

Searching for the perfect luggage set that’s both lightweight + durable? We love this set for its polycarbonate shell and quiet double spinner wheels.*

Event

You can dance, you can jive

The Supper Club Disco invites you to the dance floor

The Supper Club Disco welcomes you to do the D-A-N-C-E. | Photo courtesy of @thesupperclubdisco

In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, three DJs came together to spread some joy during all the uncertainty in the form of The Supper Club Disco. Together, they hosted weekly Zoom parties around, you guessed it, supper time, to support service industry workers.

“We have all individually been DJing and playing music with various acts for the better part of the last 25 years,” said Brock Ward, one of the group’s DJs. “We just had to improvise during the pandemic like everyone else.”

Now, the group hosts free events all over town. Interested in cutting a rug? Here’s the upcoming schedule:

Sundae Club Disco | Sunday, July 16 | Al’s Bar | 5-10 p.m.
4th Annual Supper Club Disco in the Park | Sunday, July 29 | Masterson Station Park | 12 p.m.-dark
Supper Club Disco in the Park Afterparty | Sunday, July 29 | The Burl Arcade | 10 p.m.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

Happy birthday to the woman who taught me everything I need to do know about cynicism and sarcasm — my mother. May your day be filled with flowers, cheesecake, and scary movies. Want to give your loved one a birthday shoutout? Become a LEXtoday member.

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