North Kentucky News

The City of Covington, Kentucky, is expressing its opposition to a legislative effort in the Kentucky General Assembly aimed at granting out-of-state vacation rental platforms, such as Airbnb, extensive freedom to operate in cities like Covington. This move is currently encapsulated in Senate Bill 110, although there is a possibility that its provisions could be transferred to another bill further along in the legislative process.

The proposed legislation would impose several changes on how cities regulate short-term or vacation rentals. However, these changes are perceived by local officials as stripping away local voices and controls. Mayor Ron Washington emphasized the city's efforts over nearly four years to engage with property owners and neighborhood advocates to find a suitable balance for the community. "Our intent – and we believe we succeeded – was to retain property owners’ ability to create businesses and make money while also preserving the residential character of our neighborhoods," he stated.

Covington is collaborating with the Kentucky League of Cities and other Northern Kentucky cities like Newport and Independence to urge state legislators against passing this legislation. The language of concern is currently housed in Senate Bill 110 but could potentially be incorporated into House Bill 490.

Senate Bill 110 seeks to prevent local governments from requiring short-term rental operators to obtain conditional use permits or imposing density-based restrictions. These restrictions were central to discussions in Covington since December 2020, culminating in revised regulations by June 2024. The city had previously imposed a temporary moratorium on new short-term rental licenses due to concerns about neighborhoods being transformed into hotel districts.

This pause allowed Covington to conduct an extensive public input campaign, including a survey with over 250 written comments and testimony from nearly 50 individuals during public hearings. Mayor Washington noted that residents overwhelmingly preferred regulations set by local officials. "In Covington, we believe in listening to our residents and businesses," he said, opposing a uniform approach championed by national corporate interests.

Mayor Washington invited legislators to visit Covington during the interim session to better understand the city's unique historic neighborhoods and how local control helps balance industry needs with community preservation.