Kansas City, Kansas Short Term Rental Regulations
Navigate short-term rental regulations with ease! From coastal retreats to urban hubs, our in-depth guides break down the essentials for cities across the nation. Stay informed of changes to local Airbnb rules with our up-to-date insights and best practices.
Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Kansas City Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rental activities of residential properties are classified as commercial activities and may only operate in a residential district with the approval of a Special Use Permit (SUP). Ordinances and zoning are subject to changes and should always be confirmed with Kansas City Planning & Urban Design.Business License Requirements
Short-term rentals require a special use permit. The Special Use Permit Process is 60 to 90 days and involves hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners.Building and Housing Standards
Kansas City has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Visit Kansas City Building Regulations for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Kansas City levies a transient guest tax at the rate of eight percent, upon the gross receipts derived from or paid directly or through accommodations.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit Kansas City for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
-
Short Term City Rating5.7
-
Competition
3.2 -
Real Estate Cost
8.1 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
8.2 -
Rental Rates
4.8
Kansas City, Kansas Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 156,607
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- July to August
- County
- Wyandotte
- Airports
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- Columbia Regional Airport (COU)
Want to learn more about Kansas City?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Kansas City rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Kansas City rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Kansas City.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Kansas City guests.
Interested in other Kansas cities?
Check out the Kansas short term rental regulations directory
What makes Kansas City a great place to invest?
Some of the top attractions in Kansas City:
- National World War I Museum is a must-see for history buffs. This museum has exhibits on both World Wars as well as artifacts from the war period. It's also a great place for families to visit, as there are lots of interactive exhibits for kids.
- Liberty Memorial is home to one of the largest bronze statues in the world, known as "The Unforgiven." This statue commemorates those who died in World War I and other wars. The memorial also features an inscription from Franklin D. Roosevelt, one of America's most famous presidents.
- Kansas City Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in the city. It has a huge variety of animals, from lions to pandas. There are also plenty of activities and exhibits available for visitors to enjoy.
- Truman Presidential Museum and Library is located at the Truman Library in downtown Kansas City and offers visitors a chance to learn about our nation's 35th president. The museum also has pleasant exhibits about President Truman, as well as artifacts from his personal life.
- One of the most interesting places to visit in Kansas City is the Country Club Plaza, also known as "the Green Mile." This area features an array of unique shops, restaurants, and movie theaters, all located in one place!
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opened its doors to the public in 1967 and quickly became a destination for locals and tourists alike. It features over 60 permanent collections, including many works by famous artists like Rembrandt, Matisse
- World-Class Barbecue - Kansas City is known as the barbecue capital of the world, with a rich history of smoked meats and signature sauces. Visitors can sample the city's famous barbecue at iconic restaurants like Arthur Bryant's, Gates Bar-B-Q, and Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que.
Kansas City Nearby Cities
-
-
2 miles away
- Rating: 5.6
-
-
-
9 miles away
- Rating: 5.8
-
Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Kansas City?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Kansas City has increased 5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $194, which is lower than the national average.
-
Median Sale Price
-
$305,411
5% YoY
-
Median per Square Foot
-
$194
3% YoY
-
Average Monthly Rent
-
$1,406
5% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Kansas City
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Kansas City, Kansas
Common terms for Kansas City short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Kansas City has a description approximately 1,555 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 3,075 listings in Kansas City, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Kansas City, Comfortable, KC, Perfect, Place, Spacious, Country Club, Walking, Club Plaza, and Downtown.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Kansas City?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Kansas City involve Museums, the City Centre, the Zoo, Outlet Shopping, and the Health Spa. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
-
Museums
-
City Centre
-
Zoo
-
Outlet Shopping
-
Health Spa
-
Casinos
-
Adventure Activities
-
Antiquing
-
Cycling
-
Theme Parks
-
Water Parks
-
Swimming
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Kansas City, including T-Mobile Center, Harrah's Casino, Crown Center, Kansas City Convention Center, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
-
Well Known Attraction
-
T-Mobile Center
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Crown Center
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Kansas City Convention Center
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
National World War I Museum and Memorial
Included on 57% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
American Royal Complex
Included on 57% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Kansas City Power and Light Building
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Included on 57% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Liberty Memorial
Included on 57% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Argosy Casino
Included on 56% of listings
-
Well Known Attraction
-
Harrah's Casino
Included on 56% of listings
What’s the weather like in Kansas City, Kansas?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 66°, while the average low is about 49°. The rainfall is a bit heavier, averaging about 34 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 9 inches per year. The humidity levels in Kansas City are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
27° Low 43° High
Spring
March through May
49° Low 67° High
Summer
June through August
71° Low 88° High
Fall
September through November
50° Low 68° High
Cities Near Kansas City
Kansas City, Kansas, is located in Wyandotte County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
