Bottom‑line for investors: As of 2025 there are no city‑ or county‑specific short‑term‑rental ordinances on the books for Garden City, KS. Short‑term rentals are therefore permitted, provided you comply with state‑level statutes (the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, sales‑tax and lodging‑tax rules, fire‑safety codes, and any applicable zoning/building requirements). If local rules are later adopted, they will supersede this overview.

1. Overview – Are STRs Allowed in Garden City, KS?

| Jurisdiction | STR Status | Notes | |--------------|------------|-------| | Garden City (city) | Allowed – no local ordinance identified | The Mid‑America Regional Council (MARC) regional STR mapping does not list a Garden City, KS entry, confirming that the city has not enacted a dedicated STR licensing or prohibition scheme. | | Finney County (county) | No county‑wide STR ordinance found | County health, fire, and zoning codes apply to all rental housing, but there is no separate STR‑specific regulation in the sources. | | State of Kansas | Governed by the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRLTA) and state tax statutes. | STRs ≤ 30 days are considered “transient occupancy” and are exempt from most KRLTA provisions, but they are subject to Kansas sales tax, any local lodging tax, fire‑safety rules, and the general landlord‑tenant duties that survive any exemption. |

Source: MARC regional STR list – www.marc.org/news/economy-housing/regional-insights-short-term-rental-regulations

2. How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Garden City

| Step | Action | Why it matters | |------|--------|----------------| | 2.1 Verify Zoning | Confirm the property’s zoning classification (R‑1, R‑2, C‑1, etc.) allows lodging uses. Most residential zones in Garden City permit “single‑family” or “multi‑family” use, but commercial zones may restrict short‑term stays. | Prevents illegal use penalties. | | 2.2 Business Registration | Register the STR as a business with the Kansas Secretary of State (if forming an LLC, corporation, etc.) and obtain a Kansas Sales Tax Permit from the Kansas Department of Revenue. | Required to collect and remit the state sales tax on lodging (currently 6.5 %). | | 2.3 Obtain a Lodging Tax Permit (if applicable) | Finney County may levy a local lodging tax; check with the County Treasurer. | Some counties impose an additional 1‑2 % lodging tax that must be collected