New threat! Call now! Legislators try new trick to take away Lexington’s right to regulate short-term rentals

The Kentucky House of Representatives has amended a swimming pool bill (Senate Bill 61) to create a ban on local governments limiting the number of short-term rental properties in a neighborhood. This sneaky assault on local-control and stable neighborhoods comes after two unsuccessful attempts by Airbnb lobbyists, with help from rural Republican legislators, to push through this ban.

Please call 800-372-7181 now and ask that your comment go to the entire House and Senate.  Also call or email your local Legislators; you can find their contact info here.

This amended bill has never been heard in committee in either the Senate or the House, and that is not how the General Assembly is supposed to work. Airbnb has been spending big money to lobby legislators for this change. It would take away cities’ ability to protect neighborhoods and it would take away the property rights of homeowners who want to live in a stable neighborhood of long-term homeowners and renters.

Here are some suggestions to frame your comments when you call:

I am calling to oppose SB 61 as amended. This bill takes away local governments’ ability to properly regulate short-term rentals and keep them from taking over established neighborhoods.  Please vote NO to protect the property rights of homeowners who actually want to live in their homes. Local decision-making should stay in local hands.
I am calling to oppose SB 61 as amended. This bill takes away local governments’ ability to properly regulate short-term rentals and keep them from taking over stable neighborhoods.  This kind of sneaky trick is not how the legislative process is supposed to work. Please vote NO to protect the property rights of homeowners who actually want to live in their homes. Local decision-making should stay in local hands.