Regulations >
Kentucky >
Stanton

Want to see how Stanton compares to other top cities in Kentucky?  Explore all city regulations in Kentucky. →

C

Stanton, KY

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Stanton STR Expert
Stanton, Kentucky skyline

STR Regulations for Stanton, Kentucky

Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Stanton, KY?

Explicit answer: Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Stanton, KY under City Ordinance 22-002. However, they are subject to comprehensive requirements:

  • STRs must be registered with the Planning & Zoning Office.
  • Operators must obtain a business license and remain current on all city taxes.
  • STRs may operate only in R-1 or R-2 zoning districts and require a Conditional Use Permit from the Board of Adjustment (annual review).
  • Additional obligations include off‑street parking, strict signage rules, and the ability for the Zoning Administrator to inspect the interior upon proper notice.

If you plan to operate outside R-1/R-2 or fail to meet the operational standards, the city can deny or revoke your license.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Stanton?

Stanton hosts earn a median $32,956/year with $193 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,259+ per year.

See the full Stanton market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Stanton

A practical, step-by-step pathway:

  1. Confirm zoning eligibility
    • Verify the property lies within an R-1 or R-2 zoning district.
  2. Secure a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
    • Apply through the Board of Adjustment. The Board meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM; the Planning Commission meets the same evening at 6:30 PM. CUPs are reviewed annually.
  3. Register the STR
    • Submit the Short-Term Rental Registration Form to the Planning & Zoning Office.
  4. Obtain a business license
    • File the Business License Application with the annual fee and ensure you are current on all city taxes.
  5. Set up taxes
    • Prepare to collect and remit the city’s 3% Transient Room Tax (monthly reporting using the city’s form). Also plan for Powell County’s separate 3% transient room tax.
  6. Align the property with standards
    • Provide adequate off‑street parking (paved or properly graveled). No on-street guest parking is permitted. Remove or avoid any advertising signage (only address/location signs allowed per city signage rules).
  7. Prepare for compliance and inspections
    • Ensure no criminal or nuisance violations occur. Upon proper notice, allow the Zoning Administrator to conduct interior inspections to verify compliance.
  8. Annual maintenance
    • Keep the business license current, submit monthly transient room tax, and prepare for annual CUP review.

Board of Adjustment schedule and contact are provided in the Contact Information section below.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Key documents and filings:

  • Short-Term Rental Registration Form (Planning & Zoning Office)
  • Business License Application (Planning & Zoning Office)
  • Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Board of Adjustment
  • Proof of property ownership or lease agreement authorizing STR use
  • Floor plan showing number and location of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Site plan showing the STR location on the lot and designated off‑street parking areas
  • City Zoning Permit Application (if any construction, alterations, signs, fences, decks, etc., are planned)
  • Floodplain Permit Application (if applicable)
  • Transient Room Tax Reporting Form (for monthly filing)

Annual fees and taxes:

  • Business license fee: $300 for the first unit; $100 for each additional unit
  • City Transient Room Tax: 3% of room rental rates, paid monthly
  • Powell County Transient Room Tax: 3% of room rental rates, paid separately to the County

Operational expectations:

  • Maintain current city taxes at all times
  • Ensure no criminal violations occur on the property
  • Ensure no nuisance violations occur on the property
  • Provide adequate off‑street parking (paved or properly graveled)
  • Comply with strict signage prohibitions (no advertising signs; address/location signs only)
  • Permit interior inspection by the Zoning Administrator upon proper notice

Important notes:

  • The business license is not transferable between owners. If the property is sold or transferred, the new owner must apply for a new license prior to operating any STR.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning and authorization:

  • Permitted only in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts, as a Conditional Use Permit through the Board of Adjustment, with annual review.
  • STRs are defined as any dwelling unit not a permanent residence, leased in whole or in part to one party for fewer than 30 consecutive days.

Taxation:

  • City transient room tax of 3% due monthly.
  • Powell County transient room tax of 3% due separately to the County.
  • Operators must remain current on all city taxes.

Property standards and operations:

  • Adequate off‑street parking required for each STR. Parking lots and driveways must be paved or properly graveled.
  • No on‑street parking for STR guests.
  • No advertising signs on the property. Address/location signs are allowed but must otherwise comply with city ordinances.

Compliance and enforcement:

  • Operators must prevent criminal and nuisance violations.
  • Zoning Administrator may inspect the interior of the rental upon proper notice to ensure compliance.
  • Violations of zoning or operational rules can result in denial or revocation of the license/permit.

Licensing:

  • Business licenses are not transferable between owners. New owners must apply before operating.
  • CUPs are reviewed annually.

Zoning permits:

  • Any construction, alterations, sign changes, fences, walls, patios, and decks may require a Zoning Permit under City Zoning Ordinance Article III.
  • Commercial construction requires permits through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (contact Ric McNees at 859-595-0689 or ric.mcnees@ky.gov).

Penalties:

  • Violations of the Zoning Ordinance may result in fines: up to $250 per violation per day; fines of $100–$250 for violations involving sale/transfer of lots; corporations may be fined up to $5,000 per violation per day (per Zoning Ordinance Article III Section 360).

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

  • City of Stanton Planning & Zoning Office

    • Address: 98 Court Street, P.O. Box 370, Stanton, KY 40380
    • Phone: (606) 663-6474
    • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
    • STR Registrar/Zoning Administrator: Ann Snowden (email provided by the city as ann.snowden@stantonky.gov)

  • Board of Adjustment

    • Meetings: Third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM
    • Planning Commission: Third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM
    • Location: 98 Court Street, Stanton, KY
    • Contact for submissions/questions: Zoning Administrator at (606) 663-6474

  • Permit Portal (for online submissions)

  • Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (for commercial construction permits)

    • Contact: Ric McNees, 859-595-0689, ric.mcnees@ky.gov

  • Powell County (for County Transient Room Tax)

    • Information should be obtained directly from Powell County offices/treasurer; the city notes that the County assesses a separate 3% transient room tax.

Links to Source Pages

Official City of Stanton and related forms/ordinances:

Third‑party summaries and market insights:

Note: Because city and county regulations can evolve, confirm the latest requirements, deadlines, and application procedures directly with the Stanton Planning & Zoning Office and the Powell County offices before operating.

Next step

Found a property in Stanton?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Stanton

Free brief

Get the free Stanton STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Stanton, Kentucky in one email.

Stanton

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Stanton Market Analysis

Photos of Stanton

Overview of Stanton

Stanton sits in the rolling hills of eastern Kentucky as the seat of Powell County, a small Appalachian community of roughly 2,800 residents. The town carries a quiet, unpretentious character typical of the region, with a compact downtown framed by the forested ridges of the Cumberland Plateau. Stanton is best known as a gateway to the Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Resort Park, two of the most visited outdoor destinations in the state, and it lies about 45 miles east of Lexington, the nearest major city, along the Mountain Parkway.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park anchors the area's tourism economy and sits roughly 15 miles southeast of Stanton in the heart of the gorge country. The park is built around a massive sandstone arch that rises above the surrounding forest and offers hiking trails, a sky lift, a small lake, and a lodge. Visitors come year-round to walk beneath the bridge, photograph the cliffs, and explore the miles of marked trails that wind through sandstone fins, rock shelters, and hemlock groves. Natural Bridge State Resort Park

The Red River Gorge itself is one of the most acclaimed rock-climbing destinations in the eastern United States, drawing climbers from across the country to its cliffs, natural bridges, and boulder-strewn slopes. The area lies within the broader Daniel Boone National Forest, which spreads across much of eastern Kentucky and protects a striking landscape of gorges, sandstone arches, and pine-clad ridges. Hikers, paddlers, and sightseers explore the gorge through a network of trailheads, scenic byways, and overlooks that have made it a signature Kentucky experience. Red River Gorge

The surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest adds another layer of appeal, with hundreds of thousands of acres of public land threaded by the Red River and its tributaries. Visitors come for backpacking, whitewater paddling, fall foliage drives, and the chance to spot wildlife in one of the more rugged parts of the state. Small outfitters, cabin rentals, and campgrounds dot the roads leading into the gorge, and Stanton functions as a natural staging ground for multi-day trips into this protected landscape. Daniel Boone National Forest

For short-term rental investors, Stanton offers a compelling combination of small-town affordability and proximity to some of Kentucky's most popular natural attractions. Guests who come for climbing, hiking, and leaf-peeping often seek out the lodging, dining, and supplies available in town, while travelers looking to experience Appalachian Kentucky without giving up access to a major airport or city can still reach Lexington in under an hour. The steady seasonal rhythm of climbers, weekenders from Lexington and Cincinnati, and autumn sightseers helps support demand across most of the year.

Want to know if a property in Stanton is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.