Kansas City, MO

When deciding whether to become an Airbnb host, it is important for you to understand the laws in Kansas City. As a platform and marketplace, we do not provide legal advice, but we want to give you some useful links and information that may help you get familiar with the new rules. If you have more questions after reviewing these resources, we recommend visiting Kansas City’s website, contacting the city’s licensing agencies directly, and/or consulting a local lawyer or tax professional.

Registration requirements

Anyone who hosts short-term stays (fewer than 30 consecutive nights) in Kansas City is required to register their short-term rental with the city.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Learn about the eligibility requirements on the City’s STR website. Kansas City allows properties in certain zones to register and host short-term rentals. Kansas City no longer allows non-residents to operate short-term rentals in residential zones. Previously approved non-resident STRs are allowed to continue in residential zones.

If any of your properties are not eligible as a short-term rental, you can switch to long-term stays.

A few listing types are exempt from registering as short-term rentals. If your listing is exempt, you don’t need to register, but you will still need to claim an exemption through Airbnb to keep hosting.

• Long-term stays (change your calendar settings to 31+)
• Hotels and traditional B&Bs

Step 2: Complete pre-registration requirements

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
• Register with QuickTax and obtain a tax clearance letter

Step 3: Get a short-term rental license

Apply for a short-term rental license on Kansas City’s registration site, CompassKC.

1. Log in using your credentials or create a new account
2. Click “Apply”
3. Search for “short term rental registration” in the search bar
4. Choose the application based on your resident type (resident v. non-resident)
5. Select “apply” and you will be redirected to the application page
6. Complete the 7 mandatory fields and upload necessary documents
7. Submit the application for approval

To register your short-term rental, there is a $200 annual charge for both residents and non-residents. After the city processes your application, you’ll receive a registration number. Applications are reviewed in the order received, and registrations are approved based on complete applications, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Step 4: Add your license number to your listing

Next, you’ll need to add your license number to your Airbnb listing to finalize your registration with the City.

If you’ve already registered and added your number to your listing, it should be updated, but please go to the Regulations tab on your listing page to confirm.

Other contracts and rules

As a host, you need to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that may bind you, including leases, co-op rules, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations. You should be able to find out more by contacting your housing authority (such as a community council) or landlord. Your lease (or other contract) might also have specific details.

Our commitment to your community

We are committed to working with local officials to clarify how local rules impact the short-term rental community.