1. DO check your eligibility
2. DO stay compliant with updated city regulations.
3. DO complete permits and tax steps early.
4. DO stay alert for signs of human trafficking or unsafe situations.
5. DO set clear house rules to avoid noise and party issues.
6. DO document guest info and keep proper insurance.
7. DON’T overlook potential criminal activity or unsafe situations.
8. DO provide a clean, well-prepared space.
9. DO communicate transportation, parking, and neighborhood expectations.
10. DON’T operate unregistered or ignore special event rules.
11. DON’T allow unmanaged parties, overcrowding, or disruptive behavior.

Submit your application online through CompassKC.

Need help getting started? Download the Short-Term Rental Checklist.

View PowerPoint presentation on the changes to the City's short-term rental policy, Ordinance No. 230268.

Printable Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions for New Short-Term Rental Regulations

1.) I hear Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) is removing restrictions for the World Cup, is this true? No.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri has passed a new ordinance on June 15th, 2023 to address the concerns of unregulated short-term rental properties within the city. Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) Code of Ordinances Chapter 56 Article VIII split short-term rentals (STR) into two categories – Resident and Non-Resident – and introduced new restrictions to Non-Resident STRs. Non-Resident STRs refer to short-term rental properties in which there is not a primary resident that is living at the property for at least 270 days out of the year. These restrictions include zoning, density and city incentives. The City of Kansas City, Missouri is not considering temporary or event-specific allowances for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. All of the eligibility requirements that are currently in place will still apply during the World Cup.

1.) Non-Resident short-term rentals are prohibited in residentially zoned areas and could only operate in commercially zoned areas.

2.) There cannot be another Non-Resident short-term rental within 1000 feet of a single-family home or duplex. For properties with 3 or more dwelling units, less than 12.5% of the structure may be used for short-term rentals.

3.) The property must not receive city incentives, such as tax abatements, to qualify for Non-Resident short-term rental.

Properties that are “grandfathered-in” are exempt from zoning, density and city incentives restrictions. “Grandfathered-in” refers to properties that were previously permitted prior to the new ordinances on June 15th, 2023.

2.) Is this property eligible for short-term rental?

You can identify the zoning of any property within Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) and check whether the property is “grandfathered-in” through Parcel Viewer.

3.) How do I apply for a short-term rental registration?

An applicant will want to start by gathering the necessary documents. Please review the Short-Term Rental Checklist for reference. After obtaining the required documents, the applicant would need to sign up for an account and apply for a registration through CompassKC. Please refer to PDF attachment titled “(STR) Registering Your Short-Term Rental Property” for instructions on how to apply for short-term rental registrations with Kansas City, Missouri.

4.) I own a building with multiple units. Can I apply for multiple units with one application?

No. You would need a separate application for each unit.

 5.)My short-term rental registration is about to expire soon. What do I need to do?

A valid, unexpired short-term rental registration is required to legally operate a short-term rental property within the City of Kansas City, Missouri. If you wish to continue operating your short-term rental, you will need to reregister. You would fill out a new application to reregister your short-term rental. It would be a similar application to your initial short-term rental registration and the fees will not be issued until the new application is ready to be approved. We will need to schedule another inspection and the affidavits, Tax Clearance Letter and utility bills (if applicable) should be dated within 30 days of the application date.

6.) What penalties are in place for unregistered short-term rental properties?

Short-term rentals operating without a registration are subject to ordinance violations and fines ranging from $200 to $1,000. Each day a short-term rental operates without approval can be a separate violation.

7.) Where can I find a map of registered short-term rental properties?

Parcel Viewer is an online interactive mapping tool that will show all registered short-term rentals within Kansas City, Missouri. Select the “Layers” tab and click on the “Short Term Rental” icon (green house).

8.) Would the type of structure (e.g single-family homes, multi-family homes, duplex, fourplex) affect my ability to operate a short-term rental?

The type of structure typically does not affect one’s ability to operate a short-term rental providing that they meet other qualifications such as: density limitations for non-resident short-term rentals that do not have prior Chapter 88 approval including the 1,000-foot density restriction to structures with two or fewer dwelling units and the 12.5% restriction on multi-family structures.

9.) What is the 1,000 foot rule?

The 1,000-foot rule is one of two new density limitations applicable for non-resident short-term rentals within commercially zoned areas that are not exempt from the zoning and density restrictions.  The 1,000 foot rule applies to structures with one or two dwelling units; no non-resident short-term rental in such a structure can obtain registration if there is another registered, non-resident short-term rental within a thousand-foot radius of the applicant dwelling unit.

11.) If there is not an approved non-resident short-term rental within 1,000 feet of a commercial property, whose application is reviewed first?

If there are no other non-resident or short-term rentals within 1000 feet, we will review applications in the order we have received them. Please ensure you have attached all required documents. All documents must be complete, factual and meet the requirements of Kansas City Code Section 56-803. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Registrations will only be approved when the application is complete.  Registrations will be granted to complete applications on a first come first served basis.

12.) Could you explain the 12.5% restriction on multi-family structures?

This new density limitation is only applicable for non-resident short-term rentals within commercially zoned areas. A non-resident short-term rental in a multiple-family structure (i.e., structure with 3 or more dwelling units) can be registered if no more than 12.5% or more of the structure’s dwelling units are registered under the new ordinance. Like all zoning and density restrictions applicable to non-resident short-term rentals in the new ordinance, this new restriction would not apply to a non-resident short-term rental approved on or before May 4, 2023 as a Type 2 short-term rentals under the prior Chapter 88 regulations, so long as such approval has not since expired or been revoked. See 56-803(c).

13.) What does “being exempted from the zoning and density restrictions” mean?

A non-resident short-term rental would be exempt from zoning and density restrictions as long as they had an administrative approval or had a valid short-term rental registration under City Planning and Development. This is commonly referred to as properties that are "grandfathered-in.”

14.) Am I applying for a permit or registration when completing my short-term rental application on CompassKC?

Short-term rentals are considered registrations. Short-term rental applications can be found in CompassKC under permits. However, this does not imply that it is a permit or a license.

15.) In the event I become registered as a short-term rental operator and then sell my property, would my short-term rental registration be transferable?

No. Short-term rental registrations are not transferable. The new owner would need to apply for their own short-term rental registration.

All registrants must obtain or complete the following requirements prior to registration:

• Proof of possession (1 of the following)
  • valid warranty deed
  • valid lease
  • verification of the tenant's right to possession of the dwelling unit. (Alternative document subject to Neighborhood Services Department Director’s approval)

• Register with QuickTax to establish your STR accounts. Each short-term rental property needs an short-term rental account. When your accounts are set up you can then obtain a tax clearance letter.
  • If you have an existing account with the Finance Department you will still need to establish an short-term rental account for each short-term rental property by completing one RD100.
  • You can complete this in person on the 1^st floor of City Hall (Finance Division/Business license) as well.  

Resident Requirements:

• Proof of registrant's primary residence (must include two of the following)
  • Proof of valid motor vehicle registration
  • Federal or state tax returns or other financial documentation
  • Proof of voter registration
  • A utility bill

• Notarized affidavits
  • Registrant  Certification Affidavit
  • Owner Consent Affidavit required for registrants who do not own the property
  • Owner's Certification of Registration Affidavit required for registrants who do not own the property

Non-Resident Requirements:

• Notice of Active Accounts for the subject property
• Notarized affidavits
  • Registrant  Certification Affidavit
  • Management Control and Responsibility Affidavit
  • Owner Consent Affidavit required for registrants who do not own the property
  • Owner's Certification of Registration Affidavit required for registrants who do not own the property

Is your Short-Term Rental Registration going to expire soon?

Per Kansas City Missouri Code of Ordinances Chapter 56 Article VIII Sec. 56-803(6), a valid, unexpired short-term rental registration is required to legally operate a short-term rental property within the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

Each registration issued shall expire at the end of its registration period (1-year) and shall be subject to renewal annually. Renewal registration, or reregistration, will be accepted beginning 30 days before the end of the previous registration period.

Download this fact sheet to learn how to reregister your short-term rental. 

Questions regarding submitting taxes or assistance with a business license and tax clearance letters may contact the Revenue Division. 

Registrations and Tax Clearances may be filed online through the City's Quicktax online program or via paper. For more information on these supplemental forms. 

All Taxes must be filed online in the City's Quicktax online filing program.

View Short-Term Rental Taxation & Licensing PowerPoint Presentation.

View Short-Term RentalTax FAQs

In May 2023, City Council passed Ordinance Nos. 230267 and 230268, eliminating short-term registration through the City’s Planning and Development Department to the City’s Neighborhood Services Department. Read press release for more details. 

In April 2023, Kansas City voters approved a 7.5% tax on short-term rentals and adding a $3 license fee for STRs. Read the ballot language.

The Property Maintenance Appeals Board (PMAB) is the administrative hearing board that is established by ordinance to hear appeals from individuals who own property in Kansas City, Mo., and have been sent a notice for property maintenance code and certain nuisance code violations. PMAB also hears appeals from those whose applications for a tow and storage fee refund has been denied. The Board is appointed by the mayor for a term of four years and consists of members who are not employees of the City. The director of the Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department or their designated representative shall act as secretary of the board.

Appeals from any order, request, decision or determination of the City made in pursuance of Chapter 14, Section 14-4 (Special Exception to Keeping of Livestock), Chapter 48 (any person served with an Order to Remove Nuisances), or Chapter 56 (any person served with a Notice and Order), or Section 70-644 (Procedure for request for refund of tow and storage fees) shall have the right to appeal to the Property Maintenance Appeals Board.

The Neighborhood Preservation Division (NPD) shall accept PMAB appeal applications that meet the following conditions:

• All appeals must be filed within 10 calendar days from the date on the notice that is being appealed (found in the top right of the notice).
• The completed appeal application must include the appellant’s telephone number and current mailing address.
• Every application for an appeal to the board must be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee in the amount of $50 payable to the city treasurer.

After an application for an appeal is accepted, the appellant will be notified in writing as confirmation that their appeal application was accepted and will include the date they are scheduled to appear before the PMAB. Property Maintenance Appeals Board Hearings are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month, at 9:30 AM, in the Council Dining Room, 8th floor City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., Kansas City, MO.

If the appellant or their agent fails to appear before the board at the hearing, the case may be continued until the next meeting or may be heard and acted upon at the scheduled time as set forth above. However, if the appellant was previously notified of a previous hearing and they failed to appear at the first hearing, the appeal will be dismissed and the case will be returned to the city for enforcement.

If the appellant wishes to request a continuance of the appeal before the Property Maintenance Appeal Board, they or their designated agent acting on their behalf must submit a request for continuance in writing, certifying that the facts stated are true and correct and that the request is not made for the purpose of vexation or delay, but in good faith. This request must be submitted to the attention of the division manager of Neighborhood Preservation no later than two days before the hearing. The board may grant the request and continue the case until the next meeting, or may deny it, hear the case, and act upon the case at the scheduled hearing without the appellant being present.

On the scheduled date for the PMAB hearing, if there is a quorum of board members present the hearing will go forward as scheduled. If there is not a quorum present, the cases on that day’s agenda will be continued to the next scheduled hearing date.

If there is a quorum of board members present the chairperson for the board will call out each appeal by its number and the address of the property involved. The city representative on the case and the person who appealed will come forward and be sworn in before the board by a City Attorney.

The City will offer its evidence first. If the city representative has any photographs, notices or other documents to offer into evidence, the chairperson will ask for the documents to be given to the court reporter for marking before testifying. The representative will present the City’s case through their testimony and any documents they have to offer as evidence. As the representative presents the City’s case they will tell the board when the legal notice letter was issued and what violations were cited in the notice. If they offer any documents or photographs into evidence, they will refer to them by the exhibit number the court reporter marked on them. If photographs are entered as evidence, they will tell the board who took the photograph, the date the photograph was taken and what violation is depicted in that photograph. Before handing any photograph or other document to the board, the representative will show it to the person who has appealed.

After the city representative is finished testifying, the person who has appealed may ask the city representative questions about what was said or about the documents that were offered. After this cross-examination is complete, the board members may ask questions of the city representative.

Then, if the city representative has any other witnesses to be called as part of the City’s case, they will tell the board who they are and the chairperson will call them one by one. An opportunity to question each additional witness will be given to the person who has appealed to the board.

After the City has finished, the person who has appealed will then present his or her case. Same rules that were described above for the city representative will apply to the presentation of the evidence by the person appealing.

If either side objects to a part of a person’s testimony being heard by the board or a photograph or document being seen by the board, tell the chairperson and tell them why you object. The chairperson will then rule on the objection. Sometimes before ruling, the chairperson may ask the City Attorney for advice.

A special note to the person appealing: In the presentation of your case tell the board why you appealed. If you think a condition cited as a violation does not exist or exists but does not violate the City’s code, tell them that. If you simply want more time to make the necessary repairs, tell the board how much time you think you need and why you believe you deserve more time. After all the evidence is heard, the board will then discuss the case and make a decision.

For any decision of the PMAB upon an order or action taken, the method of judicial review shall be a duly verified petition for writ of certiorari presented to the circuit court of the county in which the petitioner resides, or of the county where the property affected by such decision is located. Such petition shall be filed with the court within 30 days after the filing of the board’s decision in the office of the director. The allowance of the writ shall not stay the effect of the decision appealed from, but the court may, upon timely application and due notice to the board, for due cause shown, grant a restraining order.