Lexington, KY Zoning

EAR zoning category

A zoning category referenced in the overlay materials as an underlying district that can work with the Transition Area Overlay.

Allowed uses: Residential uses (when combined with Transition Area Overlay), Civic institutions (when combined with Transition Area Overlay), Cultural institutions (when combined with Transition Area Overlay), Religious institutions (when combined with Transition Area Overlay), Educational institutions (when combined with Transition Area Overlay)

Community Center zones

A category referenced in overlay materials as the adjoining zoning context for the Transition Area Overlay.

Corridor Business zone

A commercial corridor district referenced in recent Board of Adjustment coverage concerning spacing standards for certain vehicle/equipment dealers.

Allowed uses: Commercial corridor uses

ADU

Lexington has a dedicated municipal ADU information page and a zoning reform reference for accessory dwelling units, indicating ADUs are an actively administered special use topic.

• Detailed standards were not included in the provided source excerpt
• Verify district eligibility, owner-occupancy, size limits, parking, and approval pathway with current code or city guidance

Short-term rental

Recent Board of Adjustment coverage indicates at least some short-term rentals are reviewed as conditional uses, and compliance history can affect staff recommendations.

• Conditional use review may apply
• Compliance violations can lead to staff disapproval
• At least one un-hosted short-term rental request was recommended for disapproval in 2026 due to documented compliance violations

Conditional uses generally

The Board of Adjustment is the body established to grant conditional use permits in Lexington.

• Reviewed by Board of Adjustment
• Applicants should expect agenda placement and public meeting process

Courthouse Area Design Overlay Zone

Downtown-area design overlay intended to encourage growth and redevelopment while preserving unique area features and following adopted design guidelines.

H1 - Historic District Overlay

Historic preservation overlay intended to preserve historic districts, landmarks, sites, neighborhoods, structures, and other historic resources.

ND1 - Neighborhood Design Overlay

Overlay intended to protect visual characteristics and a harmonious appearance of structures in residential, nonresidential, or mixed-use areas.

Paris Pike Overlay

Overlay for land adjoining Paris Pike between Johnston Road and the Paris city limits.

Transition Area Overlay

Overlay used with an EAR zoning category to allow residential and certain institutional uses on land immediately adjacent to Community Center zones.

Are ADUs allowed in Lexington, KY?

Lexington has a dedicated municipal ADU information page and a zoning reform reference for accessory dwelling units, indicating ADUs are an actively administered special use topic.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Lexington, KY?

Recent Board of Adjustment coverage indicates at least some short-term rentals are reviewed as conditional uses, and compliance history can affect staff recommendations.

What zoning districts are in Lexington, KY?

Lexington, KY includes districts such as EAR zoning category, Community Center zones, Corridor Business zone.

Have there been recent zoning changes in Lexington, KY?

The source set points to at least one adopted 2025 planning ordinance and to active 2026 text-amendment work, but it does not provide enough detail to fully summarize all recent zoning amendments.