Covington preparing to fine, penalize unlicensed short-term rental units within city limits
By: Kenton Hornbeck | Published on Feb 3, 2023
The Covington City Commission has been critical of unlicensed short-term rentals in the past. Now, they are preparing to consider legislation against them at next Tuesday’s commission meeting.
Covington is proposing to levy fines and penalties against the operators of unlicensed short-term rentals, which include a daily fine of $500 to $1,000, a one-year ban on applying for a license and a tax audit. Covington’s Code Enforcement Department sent approximately 250 owners in the city a warning letter.
“We’ve tried to bring operators into compliance and have allowed ample time for them to apply for a license, but unfortunately many of them apparently have chosen to disregard the law,” Covington Neighborhood Services Director Brandon Holmes said. “So now they’re going to face the consequences for their decisions. The city must act to protect its residents, the availability of housing for rent and purchase, and the very residential character of its neighborhoods.”