Short Term Rental Registration

Learn about certain requirements for the rental of property for periods of less than 30 consecutive days.

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.

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.


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.