Louisville rental registry requirements

This page explains Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government rental registry requirements under LMCO Chapter 119. It does not replace official guidance from the City and is not legal advice, but it can help you understand what to expect.

Who must register?

Owners of rental housing units in Louisville/Jefferson County Metro must register unless exempt under LMCO § 119.02.

Exemptions include:

• Short-term rentals (registered under a different provision)
• Hotels and transient lodging
• Certain medical/educational/institutional housing
• Owner-occupied accessory units
• No-consideration occupancy arrangements

Registration fees

A nonrefundable initial registration fee is based on the property's zoning classification:

Important: Multi-unit rental housing facilities can register the facility as a whole and pay one fee for the facility, not separate fees per unit.

Required information

The registration requires the following information:

• Property identification: Street address; for multi-unit facilities, provide unit list by unit number
• Year constructed: Year the rental housing unit was built
• Owner contact info: Owner name, mailing/physical address, phone, and email
• Managing operator contact info: Responsible managing operator's contact information (appears on public registry)
• Business entity registration (if applicable): If owner is a business entity, proof of registration with Louisville Metro Revenue Commission is required before registration will be accepted

Lead hazard compliance

If cited for failing to obtain a lead risk hazard assessment or failing to complete lead-hazard controls, that status is shown on the public registry. Lead compliance work is governed by Chapter 156 lead provisions.

Ongoing obligations

• Update required contact information within 10 business days of changes
• Keep registration current so public status remains compliant
• Comply with any annual submission requirements in the portal/process

Penalties for non-compliance

Failure to register is a civil offense with escalating penalties:

• $100 first offense per unit/facility
• $250 second offense within 24 months
• $500 additional offenses within 24 months
• Each day can be a separate offense
• Metro can place a lien for assessed penalties/costs

How we fit into this process

Our role is to make this easier for owners by:

• Determining your property's zoning classification and correct fee
• Compiling unit lists for multi-unit facilities
• Organizing owner and managing operator contact information
• Verifying Metro Revenue Commission registration for business entities
• Submitting registration through Louisville Metro's portal
• Helping you maintain compliance with update requirements