OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Over 50 homeowners in Oak Grove are renting out their homes as short-term rentals without having a business license to do so, according to city officials. The Oak Grove City Council discussed how they would address this issue during their meeting on Nov. 19.
“They need to have a business license to conduct short term rentals,” said Traci Cunningham, Executive Director at Visit Oak Grove. “If they don’t follow the proper rules then they are violating the city and its ordinances.”
In reference to House Bill 8, all short-term rental properties and Airbnb must collect a transient room tax. According to Cunningham, a majority of people are simply refusing to pay this additional tax. “As for the City of Oak Grove you guys are missing out on some money because of the licensing. They should be getting a business license because they are running an actual business,” Cunningham told council. “The hotels are losing out on money too as it is usually cheaper to book through an Airbnb,” she said.
Cunningham further shared that this information is tracked through an app that Oak Grove Tourism pays for annually. “I can see who owns the property, and how many times it has been rented out.” She also says most people who are violating the rules do not live in Oak Grove, mostly residing in other states and cities.
Mayor Jackie Oliver said they will be adjusting their current ordinances to address these specific short-term rentals and they will be looking into how much money they can collect back.
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