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Major Event Window closes July 31, 2026 — STRs in Kansas City without a valid registration risk fines of $200–$1,000 per violation (each day a separate violation) under KCMO Code §56-809 and §56-810.
Your complete guide to registration fees, compliance requirements, and ongoing obligations under Kansas City's short-term rental ordinance.
Register My PropertyKansas City's short-term rental (STR) program is codified at Chapter 56, Article VIII of the KCMO Code. The current controlling law is Ordinance 250965, adopted November 13, 2025, which repealed and re-enacted the entire Article VIII previously derived from Ordinance 230268 (adopted May 4, 2023; effective June 15, 2023).
An STR is any rental of a dwelling unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Every operator must obtain a City-issued Short-Term Rental Registration from the Neighborhood Services Department before advertising or accepting bookings — one registration per dwelling unit. Registration runs through CompassKC; taxes run through QuickTax.
It's a registration, not a permit or license. Per the official STR FAQ, although STR applications live under "permits" in CompassKC, the legal status is a registration. The city's tax materials sometimes use "STR permit" — this is a terminology inconsistency; "registration" is the technically correct term.
Heads-up on citations — Ordinance 250965 renumbered several provisions. The kcmo.gov STR page still cites "§56-803(6)" for annual renewal in places; the current section is §56-803(7). Where the city website and the codified ordinance differ, the codified ordinance text controls.
All operators apply through CompassKC. Kansas City's process is document-heavy — a QuickTax account, a Tax Clearance Letter, and notarized affidavits are all prerequisites before you can submit.
Determine whether you qualify as Resident (primary residence, ≥270 days/year) or Non-Resident. For Non-Resident STRs, verify zoning, the 1,000-ft rule, the 12.5% rule, and grandfathered status via the KCMO Parcel Viewer.
Register a QuickTax STR account for each property with the Revenue Division and obtain your Tax Clearance Letter, dated within 30 days of your application.
Gather proof of possession, Form RD-100, and the notarized affidavits required for your category — see Requirements below.
Apply at compasskc.kcmo.org. The standard fee is $200/year, or $50 through July 31, 2026 under the Major Event window.
Neighborhood Services schedules an inspection and reviews your file. Approval typically follows within 7–14 days, after which you're configured to file Form RD-306 quarterly via QuickTax.
Under §56-812 of Ordinance 250965, the Neighborhood Services Director may designate a special-event period of up to 90 days when hotels and existing STRs are unlikely to meet demand. The 2026 FIFA World Cup triggered the first such window.
Not a shortcut. All safety, zoning, density, city-incentives, and tax requirements under the regular ordinance still apply during the Major Event period. The City has explicitly stated it is not removing any restrictions for the World Cup.
Strategic note — if your registration will extend beyond the World Cup, the standard $200 annual registration is the better economic choice. The $50 Major Event fee suits owners hosting only through the tournament window.
Holding a registration comes with document prerequisites and ongoing obligations. Failure to comply with any of the following may result in citation, fines, or loss of registration.
Pre-registration documents — all registrants
Before applying on CompassKC, gather:
Additional documents — Resident registrants
Additional documents — Non-Resident registrants
The closest KC provision is a general obligation to "report changes to registration information promptly" to the Neighborhood Services Department.
The only general catch-all requirement is that operators "comply with all building, fire, safety, and property maintenance codes."
STR operators pay a 7.5% Transient Boarding & Accommodation Tax on gross rental receipts plus a $3.00 per-room, per-night Occupancy Fee — both filed quarterly on Form RD-306 via QuickTax, even when a booking platform remits tax on your behalf. Missouri state sales tax (4.225% + local) and the 1% KCMO Earnings Tax (annual, due April 15) also apply. Electronic filing has been mandatory for KCMO taxes since January 1, 2025.
Nothing in the KC ordinance prohibits using a registered STR as a venue for parties, weddings, or similar events. (Note: "Major Event registration" in KC refers to the unrelated $50 World Cup registration window under §56-812 — not a use restriction.)
KC's pre-registration document set (proof of possession, QuickTax account, Tax Clearance Letter, Form RD-100, plus category-specific affidavits) contains no requirement to disclose on-site parking spaces.
Every listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, or other platforms must display your valid Kansas City STR registration number, accurate occupancy and bedroom counts, and reflect compliance with registration requirements before going live. Booking platforms may not legally collect payment for unregistered STRs under §56-807(d).
No guest cap — only the $3/room/night Occupancy Fee and 270-day residency rule apply.
For questions specific to your application or the ordinance, contact the relevant division directly.
Samuel Tomes
samuel.tomes@kcmo.org · 816-513-1249
8th floor, City Hall, 414 E. 12th St — 2nd Thursdays, 9:30 AM
Disclaimer
Lodge Compliance is not a licensed tax, legal, or financial advisor. Nothing in this guide should be construed as tax, legal, or financial advice. Contact the KCMO Neighborhood Services Department, Revenue Division, or your own tax/legal counsel for guidance regarding your personal circumstances. Ordinance references: KCMO Code of Ordinances Chapter 56, Article VIII (Short-Term Rental Registration); Ordinance 250965 (adopted November 13, 2025 — current controlling law; repealed and re-enacted Article VIII and added §56-812 for Major Event registration); Ordinance 230267 and 230268 (adopted May 4, 2023; effective June 15, 2023); KCMO Code §§56-802 through 56-812; voter-approved 7.5% Transient Boarding & Accommodation Tax and $3.00 STR Occupancy Fee (April 4, 2023 ballot; effective August 1, 2023). Where the kcmo.gov website and the codified ordinance differ, the ordinance text controls.
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