What are short term rentals (STR)?
Short term rentals are the rental of a property, a dwelling unit, or a portion thereof, for a period of less than 30 consecutive days, unless the rental meets the definition of “lodging” or “bed and breakfast." Typically these properties are advertised on apps like Airbnb and VRBO.
Definition of "Bed and Breakfast"
Bed and breakfast means an existing building(s) with no more than three occupiable stories, with at least five but no more than ten guest rooms. The building shall have interior corridors and be provided with a kitchen; owner must live in or adjacent to the building.
Definition of "Lodging Establishment"
Lodging establishment means any building, group of buildings, structure, establishment, place, or places of business where eight or more guest rooms are provided, which is owned, maintained, or operated by any person and which is kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out to the public for hire which can be construed to be a hotel, motel, motor hotel, apartment hotel, tourist court, resort, cabin, tourist home, bunkhouse, dormitory, or other similar place by whatever name called, and includes all such accommodations operated for hire as lodging establishments for either transient guests, permanent guests, or for both transient and permanent guests.
Major Event Registration
Applications are now open for Kansas City’s Major Event Short-Term Rental Registration, giving hosts the opportunity to operate short-term rentals during the city’s busiest event season at a significantly reduced cost.
Eligible hosts can register for just $50, compared to the standard $200 annual fee. This special registration is valid from May 3 through July 31, 2026, the maximum 90-day period allowed under city regulations, and applies only during the declared Major Event timeframe.
Do I need a short term rental registration?
Short term rental registrations are required for resident and non-resident owners of properties with rental periods of less than 30 consecutive days.
Registration is required for previously approved STRs under previous regulations once their annual registration expires or if the property changes hands.
Check out this Printable Fact Sheet for more information about registration.
How do I obtain a KCMO short term rental registration?
Short-term rental registration is now open! To register your short-term rental visit CompassKC.
For Resident Registration
Resident registrants are limited to one STR on parcels with only one principal dwelling unit.
- $200 Registration Fee
- Identification Documents
- Legal Name
- Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number
- Address Verification
- Proof of Ownership or Owner’s Consent
- Tax Clearance
- Certify compliance with safety, legal and tax requirements
For Non-Resident Registration
Non-resident registrants are limited to one STR on parcels with only one principal dwelling unit.
- $200 Registration Fee
- Identification Documents
- Legal Name
- Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number
- Address Verification
- Proof of Ownership or Owner’s Consent
- Tax Clearance
- Business License
- Property must meet zoning regulations
- Property must meet density requirements (1 per 1000 ft. / 12.5% of multi-family dwellings)
- Property must have no City incentives (unless exempted as properly permitted Type 2 short-term rental under previous Chapter 88 requirements)
- Certify compliance with safety, legal and tax requirements
Additional paperwork and/or requirements may be required depending on other circumstances. For more information, please visit the Short-Term Rental Page.