Short Term Rentals/Bed and Breakfasts, often referred to by the name of the popular rental platform AirBnB, are an important component of tourism and our economy. Creating regulations that allow this important component while balancing the protections of residents has been a well documented challenge across the nation. Our staff is here to help you understand our local regulations and approval processes.
How are Short Term Rentals Defined?
Any stay for less than a period of 30 days. This includes hotels, but this context is focusing on structures that were traditionally built for single family or multi-family occupancy but are now being either shared or occupied by guests staying less the 30 days per visit. Stays of 30 days or longer do not require any Short Term Rental approvals and is consider a normal home or apartment for rent.
Why Were The Regulations Changed?
The simple answer is that short term rentals were not allowed under our previous ordinance and consequently most were/are technically illegal. The ordinance revision better defined a Bed and Breakfast and created the new category of Short Term Rental. Approximately 95% of the properties in our community are eligible for one of these types of overnight accommodation. Most of these will require a Conditional Use Permit from the Board of Adjustments.
What Are The Two Overnight Accommodation Categories?
Bed and Breakfast – A one-family dwelling unit, but which also has guest rooms or suites used, rented, or hired out for occupancy or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by persons not members of the single-family unit. These are when the unit remains occupied by the primary tenant while a portion of the structure is shared with the guest(s).
Short Term Rental – Use arranged for stays of less than 30 days for rent or lease in which accommodations are typically reserved through an online reservation platform. Short-term rentals may or may not be occupied by the owner or primary tenant during times of the guest stay.
How Do I Determine Which Type of Overnight Accommodation My Property Is Eligible For?
The first step would be to determine the zoning category in which your property resides. You may call our office or use our online GIS map. Once you determine the zoning you can use the following as a guideline. Any property is still required to obtain the proper licenses.
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Zoning Classifications |
| Allowed by Right |
|
|
Bed and Breakfast
|
NB, GB, CB, & HB |
|
Short Term Rental
|
GB, CB, & HB |
|
|
| Conditional Use Permit Required |
|
|
Bed and Breakfast
|
AG, RR, R-E, RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-1C, RS-1D, RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, & OP-R |
|
Short Term Rental
|
AG, RR, R-E, RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, NB, & OP-R |
|
|
| Prohibited |
|
|
Bed and Breakfast
|
MHP, P, OPC, LI, & HI |
|
Short Term Rental
|
RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-1C, RS-1D, MHP, P, OPC, LI, & HI |
How Do I Get A Conditional Use Permit?
To begin you would call our office and set up a pre-application meeting and we will go over the process with you. It is a minimum 30 day process with required public hearing and advertising. The application will be heard by the Board of Adjustments.
What If My Property Is Allowed By Right?
You do not have to obtain a Conditional Use Permit but you will still be subject to the requirements of the other applicable agencies. Once you obtain those sign-offs, you will still come through the CCPC office to obtain a license number which is required for a legal listing.
What If My Property Is Prohibited?
Unfortunately, that will mean that you cannot operate either a Bed and Breakfast or a Short-Term Rental. Only properties zoned MHP, P, OP-C, LI, & HI are prohibited from having either a Bed and Breakfast or a Short-Term Rental.
Building Codes & Permitting
Permitting and building code review is handled by Bowling Green Neighborhood & Community Services Building Division within the city limits of Bowling Green and the Warren County Public Works Building Division in the balance of Warren County. As mentioned above, you will need to contact the appropriate agency to see what requirements, if any, are necessary for your new business.
City of Bowling Green Building Division – (270) 373-3000
Warren County Building Services Division – (270) 843-5360
Occupational Licensing & Taxes
The last step prior to obtaining your Short Term Rental license will be obtaining the proper occupational license and setting up payment of room taxes. You will need a Warren County occupational license from the Treasurer’s office regardless of where your property is located in Warren County. You will also need to check with each either the City of Bowling Green Office of Occupational License or the City of Smiths Grove City Clerk if your property is located with either of these city limits.
Bowling Green Office of Occupational License – (270) 393-3000
Smiths Grove – (270) 563-4014
Warren County Treasurer – (270) 842-5805
Display Your STR License
Once you have obtained proper zoning approvals, had your building codes review, and have obtained your occupational license(s), all you have to do is return the brochure / sign-off sheet above and the Planning Commission will issue you a Short Term Rental license. This license number will need to be displayed in your advertisements on whichever platform or listing service you choose (AirBnB, HomeAway, etc.).
