Short-Term Rental Laws in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri operates a two-track STR framework (Ordinance 180452, effective 2018). Type 1 (Owner-Occupied) STRs are permitted in all residential zones by right with registration. Type 2 (Non-Owner-Occupied) STRs in single-family residential zones (R-7.5, R-6, R-5, R-2.5, R-1.5) require a Special Use Permit from the City Plan Commission with neighborhood notification + public hearing. The SUP process typically runs 90-150 days. Power & Light District, Crossroads Arts District, Westport, Plaza, and River Market are the highest-density STR neighborhoods.

Type 1 (owner-occupied) permitted in all residential zones with registration. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) in R-1.5, R-2.5, R-5, R-6, R-7.5 requires SUP from City Plan Commission. R-80 (multi-family), MPD (mixed-use planned), B (business), and DX (downtown mixed) districts permit Type 2 by right with registration. The downtown core, Plaza, and Crossroads have additional design-review overlays through KC Historic Preservation Commission for properties within local historic districts. HOA covenants stack on top — many KC downtown lofts/condos have HOA STR prohibitions.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Kansas City Planning + Development Department administers the STR Registration + SUP processes. Annual renewal of registration; SUPs are typically issued for 2-3 year terms with renewal review. Application requires designated 24/7 local contact, proof of property insurance, life-safety inspection (smoke + CO + fire extinguisher + posted occupancy), parking plan. KC Revenue Division collects the convention/tourism + sales taxes monthly. Operating unregistered: $500+ first violation, $1,000+ subsequent, daily accumulation. Code Enforcement actively cross-references Airbnb/Vrbo against the registry.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Kansas City is approximately 17.850% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Missouri State sales tax 4.225% + Kansas City sales 3.25% + Jackson County sales 1.25% + KC Convention & Tourism Tax 7.5% + KC Tourism District assessment ~1.5% — combined ~17.85% on transient lodging; confirm at KC Revenue Division

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.