Louisville Metro requires long-term rental properties to be registered in its Rental Registry under Metro Code Chapter 119, with fines of up to $100 per day per unit for failing to register.
A 2018 state analysis lists Louisville among the Kentucky localities that adopted the state's uniform landlord-tenant act, and the city adds its own rental registry on top. For the Kentucky rules that apply statewide, see DSCR loans in Kentucky.
Do Louisville rentals have to be registered?
Yes. Louisville Metro requires long-term rental properties to be registered in the Rental Registry under Metro Code Chapter 119, with a nonrefundable fee set by zoning, owed again only when ownership changes, and fines of up to $100 per day per housing unit for failing to register.
| Zoning | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| R-4, R-5 | $25 |
| R-5A, R-6, R-7, OR, C-R, C-1, CM | $50 |
| R-8, OR-2 | $100 |
| OR-3, C-2, C-3 | $250 |
Exception: A new owner must re-register after a change of ownership. Short-term rentals and some other properties are exempt.
According to the Louisville Metro Rental Registry FAQ and How to Register Your Rental Property, as of October 2026.
Does Kentucky's landlord-tenant act apply in Louisville?
A 2018 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission local mandate statement lists Louisville/Jefferson County among the localities that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, so the act's deposit rules in KRS 383.580 apply there.
- KRS 383.500 authorizes cities, counties and urban-county governments to enact the act.
- No Louisville-specific deposit cap or interest rule was found.
Exception: The adopting ordinance number was not found on an official page. Confirm current coverage with Louisville Metro.
According to the Kentucky LRC Local Mandate Statement, 2018 HB 550, KRS 383.500 and KRS 383.580, as read October 2026.
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This page is general education about business-purpose real estate financing and state law as published by official sources on the date shown. It is not legal, tax or lending advice, not an offer to lend and not a rate quote. Laws and lender guidelines change; confirm current rules with the lender, the title company and your own attorney or tax adviser.