Short-Term Rental Laws in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Bowling Green permits STRs subject to zoning-class restrictions and registration. The 2022 ordinance update separated short-term rentals from standard residential use and required registration with the City-County Planning Commission. Owner-occupied STRs are permitted in most residential zones (RS, R-1, R-2, R-3). Non-owner-occupied STRs require a Conditional Use Permit and are more restricted in single-family zones. Tourism demand is driven by WKU football/basketball, the National Corvette Museum, and the Lost River Cave / Mammoth Cave gateway market.

Single-family residential (RS, R-1) and low-density multifamily (R-2, R-3) permit owner-occupied STRs by right with registration. Non-owner-occupied STRs in single-family zones require CUP from the Bowling Green-Warren County Planning Commission with public notice + neighborhood review. Commercial (CB-1, CB-2) and Mixed-Use districts permit non-owner-occupied STRs more readily. The downtown Historic Preservation Overlay adds design review for any exterior modifications.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

City of Bowling Green Code Enforcement + Warren County Planning Commission jointly administer. Registration is annual. Application requires designated local 24/7 contact, proof of property insurance, life-safety self-certification (smoke + CO + fire extinguisher + posted occupancy), and parking plan. Warren County Tourism Commission collects the Transient Room Tax — non-remittance triggers separate back-tax assessment. Operating unregistered: administrative penalty + cease-rental order.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Bowling Green is approximately 12.000% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Kentucky State sales tax 6% + Warren County Transient Room Tax + Bowling Green city occupation tax — combined ~12% on transient lodging; confirm at Warren County Tourism Commission

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.