Tulsa, Oklahoma Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Tulsa 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

TRO Title 21, Chapter 26 was approved by Tulsa City Council on March 11, 2020, and signed by the Mayor on March 16, 2020.  The ordinance classifies STRs into two categories:
  • Principal Use Short-Term Rental: A dwelling unit that is not a household's primary residence, in which temporary lodging in all or part of the dwelling unit is offered for compensation, limited to a maximum of 8 persons at any one time.
  • Accessory use Short-Term Rental: A dwelling unit which is the primary residence of a household, in which temporary lodging in all or part of the dwelling unit is offered for compensation, limited to a maximum occupancy of 8 persons – including the dwelling's residents if present – at any one time.
For more details, see Ordinance 24323 and Ordinance 24328.

Business License Requirements

No dwelling unit or portion thereof shall be rented, advertised, or offered for rent as a short-term rental unless the City has first issued a short-term rental license to the operator. You can register for your license here. More information can be found on the Short-Term Rental Licensing page. 

Building and Housing Standards

Tulsa 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.  Consult the Development Services for more information. 

Tourist and Local Taxes

Operators who offer properties for rent with five (5) or more total rooms (including bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, kitchen, etc.) are required to collect a lodging tax of 5 percent from guests and remit those taxes monthly to the City of Tulsa.

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 the City of Tulsa for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.9
  • Competition

    5.0
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.1
  • STR Regulations

    4.0
  • Seasonality

    9.2
  • Rental Rates

    3.2

Tulsa, Oklahoma 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
413,066
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Tulsa
Airports
Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport (RVS)
Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
Review our Tulsa Oklahoma short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Tulsa?

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 Tulsa rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Tulsa rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Tulsa.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Tulsa Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Tulsa guests.

Interested in other Oklahoma cities?

Check out the Oklahoma short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Tulsa a great place to invest?

  • Philbrook Museum of Art: Housed in a stunning Italian Renaissance villa, the Philbrook Museum showcases an exceptional collection of art, from European masterpieces to contemporary works. Stroll through its lush, 25-acre formal gardens for an unforgettable experience.
  • Tulsa Performing Arts Center: Get swept away by world-class performances at this state-of-the-art venue. Home to the Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Opera, and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the center offers a wide array of shows throughout the year, including Broadway hits, comedy acts, and concerts.
  • Gathering Place: This award-winning, 100-acre riverfront park is a true urban oasis. With imaginative playgrounds, serene gardens, and exhilarating sports facilities, Gathering Place is a must-visit destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
  • Foodie Paradise: Savor Tulsa's culinary scene, which boasts an enticing mix of traditional Southern cuisine, mouthwatering steakhouses, and innovative farm-to-table eateries. Be sure to sample the city's famous barbecue, and don't forget to indulge in a slice of pecan pie!
  • Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area: Embrace the great outdoors at this expansive park, which offers over 25 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and birdwatching. With stunning vistas of the Arkansas River and Tulsa skyline, Turkey Mountain is a nature lover's dream.
  • Sports Fever: Cheer on Tulsa's professional and collegiate sports teams, including the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A baseball), FC Tulsa (USL soccer), and the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane. No matter the season, there's always an exciting game to catch in this sports-loving city!

Tulsa Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Tulsa?

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 Tulsa has increased 29% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $152, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$307,170

29% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$152

8% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,350

5% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Tulsa, Oklahoma

Word Cloud for Tulsa, Oklahoma Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Tulsa 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 Tulsa has a description approximately 1,104 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 1,765 listings in Tulsa, 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 Tulsa, Downtown, Gathering Place, Downtown Tulsa, Perfect, Place, Backyard, Quiet, Patio, and Yard.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Tulsa?

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 Tulsa involve Museums, the Zoo, Water Parks, the City Centre, and Antiquing. 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

Zoo

Water Parks

City Centre

Antiquing

Casinos

Health Spa

Adventure Activities

Cycling

Hiking

Swimming

Mountain Biking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Tulsa, including Tulsa Expo Center, River Spirit Casino Resort, Oral Roberts University, University of Tulsa, and Gathering Place. 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

Tulsa Expo Center

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Tulsa County Fairgrounds

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

University of Tulsa

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Oral Roberts University

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Philbrook Museum of Art

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Gathering Place

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

St. Francis Hospital

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

River Spirit Casino Resort

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Woodland Hills Mall

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Oklahoma Aquarium

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

The Cancer Treatment Center of America

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

Tulsa Raceway Park

Included on 92% of listings

What’s the weather like in Tulsa, Oklahoma?

The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 72°, while the average low is about 52°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 36 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 6 inches per year. The humidity levels in Tulsa 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

32° Low 52° High

Precipitation
5.1"
Snowfall
5.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
46%

Spring

March through May

52° Low 73° High

Precipitation
11.5"
Snowfall
0.5"
Muggy Days
9.2 days
Cloudiness
41%

Summer

June through August

72° Low 91° High

Precipitation
9.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
66.1 days
Cloudiness
30%

Fall

September through November

53° Low 74° High

Precipitation
9.9"
Snowfall
0.6"
Muggy Days
13.8 days
Cloudiness
34%