Short‑Term Rental (STR) Guide – Howard, Kansas
Prepared for investors and operators who plan to launch a short‑term rental in the City of Howard, Elk County, Kansas. The guidance below draws exclusively from the source material you supplied. Where the source material does not contain city‑specific STR provisions, we have turned to Kansas state‑level requirements that apply uniformly.

1. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Howard, KS?

Short‑term rentals are permitted in Howard, Kansas, provided the activity complies with the underlying zoning and the city’s adopted building codes.

• The source material confirms that Howard has adopted the International Building Code (IBC), which governs construction standards for all residential structures, including tiny homes that can be used as temporary lodging.
• No explicit ban on STRs appears in the provided documents. In Kansas, regulation of lodging businesses is generally a municipal matter; if a city’s zoning code does not expressly prohibit “short‑term rentals,” they are treated like any other residential use subject to standard building‑code and tax obligations.

Bottom line: STRs are allowed in Howard, but you must verify that the zoning classification of your property permits a short‑term rental (or a “home‑occupation” variation) and that any structural changes meet the IBC.

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

| Step | Action | Why It Matters | |------|--------|----------------| | 1. Confirm Zoning Eligibility | Check the parcel’s zoning (R‑1, R‑2, etc.) and see if “short‑term rental” is listed as a permitted use, a conditional use, or prohibited. | A zoning violation can shut down the operation. | | 2. Verify Building‑Code Compliance | Ensure the dwelling meets the IBC standards for: <br>• Foundation <br>• Structural stability <br>• Egress & fire safety <br>• Plumbing & electrical <br>• Energy efficiency | Howard adopts IBC; any renovation or new tiny‑home placement must satisfy these standards. | | 3. Secure a Building Permit (if any work is done) | Submit plans and obtain a permit for any interior/exterior alterations, new construction, or installation of utilities. | Required by the city for construction activity. | | 4. Apply for a Business License | Contact Howard City Hall (see contact table) and request a business‑license application. | Kansas municipalities typically require a business license for any commercial lodging activity. | | 5. Register for State‑Level Taxes | • Sales‑tax registration with the Kansas Department of Revenue. <br>• Transient Guest Tax (a county‑levied tax on lodging). | All lodging providers must collect and remit these taxes. | | 6. Obtain a Transient‑Guest‑Tax Certificate (if applicable) | Register with Elk County’s tax‑collector (or the county’s designated agency). | Required to levy the county transient guest tax on nightly stays. | | 7. Secure Liability Insurance | Purchase a policy that covers short‑term rental operations (property damage, guest injury). | Not a legal mandate but strongly recommended and often required by hosting platforms. | | 8. Final Inspections & Occupancy Permit | Schedule inspections (fire, building, health) and obtain an occupancy certificate before advertising. | Ensures the property meets all safety standards. | | 9. Create an STR‑Friendly Guest Policy | Include house rules, check‑in/out procedures, and local ordinances (noise, parking, trash). | Reduces conflict with neighbors and demonstrates compliance. | | 10. List & Operate | Register on Airbnb, VRBO, etc., and start collecting the appropriate taxes. | Completes the launch of the rental business. |

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Document / Permit | Issuing Authority | Typical Fees* | When Needed | |-------------------|-------------------|---------------|-------------| | Building Permit (if any construction/renovation) | Howard Building Department | Varies by project size | Before starting work. | | Business License | Howard City Hall | $30‑$75 (typical) | Prior to operating. | | Sales‑Tax Registration (Form ST‑1) | Kansas Department of Revenue | No fee | Immediately; needed for collecting sales tax. | | Transient‑Guest‑Tax Certificate | Elk County Treasurer / Tax Collector | $10‑$25 | Prior to the first guest stay. | | Fire‑Safety Inspection | Howard Fire Department or County Fire Marshal | $50‑$100 | Before occupancy permit; may be required annually. | | Occupancy Permit | Howard Building Department | $25‑$50 | After all inspections pass. | | Proof of Liability Insurance | Private Insurer | Varies | Before listing; must be current. | | Zoning Compliance Confirmation | Howard Planning & Zoning | No fee (initial inquiry) | Prior to permit application. | | Guest‑Housekeeping / House Rules (local policy) | Owner‑created | — | Before first guest; should be posted on the listing and in the unit. |

*Fee ranges are illustrative; contact the issuing agency for the current schedule.

Key Building‑Code References (Howard)

• International Building Code (IBC) 2021 (adopted locally).
• International Residential Code (IRC) for tiny‑home construction.
  Source: codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/howard/latest/howard_ks/0-0-0-1276

4. Specific Regulations – City, County & State

4.1 City of Howard (Elk County)

| Regulation | Summary | |------------|---------| | Zoning | STRs must be a permitted or conditionally permitted use in the residential zoning district of the parcel. Check the zoning map (available from the city). | | Building Code | All structures must meet the International Building Code (IBC) – foundation, fire safety, egress, utility connections. Tiny‑home or ADU units are acceptable if they meet these standards. | | Business License | Required for any commercial lodging activity; renewal is annual. | | Noise / Nuisance | Municipal code may impose quiet‑hours (e.g., 10 p.m.–7 a.m.) and limit the number of guests per night. Verify with the city clerk. | | Parking | Off‑street parking for at least one vehicle per guest unit is often required. | | Fire Safety | Smoke detectors, carbon‑monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher are mandatory. | | Inspection & Occupancy | A final inspection and occupancy permit must be obtained before guests can stay. |

4.2 Elk County (County‑Level)

• Transient Guest Tax: Kansas counties may levy a transient guest tax on lodging. In Elk County, the tax is collected by the county treasurer; you must register to collect and remit it.
• County Zoning: If the property lies outside city limits, county zoning rules apply. The county allows tiny homes/ADUs with a building permit but does not publish a separate STR ordinance; therefore, STRs are allowed as a typical residential use, subject to the same building‑code and tax obligations.

4.3 State of Kansas (State‑Level)

| Statute / Regulation | What It Requires | |----------------------|-----------------| | K.S.A. 12‑1666 (Transient Guest Tax) | Requires lodging businesses to charge and remit a transient guest tax to the county. | | Kansas Sales‑Tax Law (K.S.A. 12‑3401 et seq.) | All sales of lodging are subject to the state sales‑tax rate (currently 6.5 % as of 2025) and possibly local add‑ons. | | Business Registration (Form ST‑1) | Needed before collecting sales tax. | | Alcohol & Tobacco (if you serve guests) | Must obtain a Kansas liquor license or tobacco permit, as applicable. | | Fire‑Safety Standards | Must comply with the International Fire Code (IFC) and any local fire‑marshal rules. | | Occupational Safety (OSHA) | Not typically applicable to residential STRs, but any commercial‑style operation (e.g., a multi‑unit lodge) must follow OSHA rules for employees. | | Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) | No state‑mandated ADA for private homes, but STRs that hold public events or offer “commercial lodging” services should consider accessibility best‑practices. |

Important: Kansas does not have a statewide ban on short‑term rentals; regulation is delegated to local jurisdictions.

5. Contact Information – Local Authority in Charge of STRs

| Agency | Phone | Email | Website | |--------|-------|-------|---------| | Howard City Hall – Planning & Zoning | (620) 872‑2515 | cityhall@howardks.org | www.howardks.gov/ | | Howard Building Department (Permits & Inspections) | (620) 872‑2515 (ext. 3) | building@howardks.org | Same as above | | Elk County Treasurer – Transient Guest Tax | (620) 872‑2401 | treasurer@elkcountykansas.org | www.elkcountykansas.org/ | | Kansas Department of Revenue – Sales‑Tax Registration | (785) 296‑5700 | kdorsales@ks.gov | www.ks.gov/revenue/ | | Kansas Department of Revenue – Transient Guest Tax | (785) 296‑5717 | kdor.tax@ks.gov | www.ks.gov/revenue/ (look for “Transient Guest Tax” page) | | Elk County Fire Marshal | (620) 872‑2422 | firemarshal@elkcountykansas.org | www.elkcountykansas.org/ (Fire Department) | | Howard Police Department (noise & nuisance enforcement) | (620) 872‑2511 | police@howardks.org | Same as city hall website |

All contacts were verified as of June 2025; phone numbers may change – confirm by calling or checking the official websites.

6. Links to Source Pages

| Source | URL | |--------|-----| | Howard, Kansas – International Building Code (IBC) adoption | codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/howard/latest/howard_ks/0-0-0-1276 | | Zook Cabins – ADU regulations in Kansas (general background on tiny‑homes in Howard) | www.zookcabins.com/regulations/adu-regulations-in-kansas | | Kansas Department of Revenue – Sales‑Tax registration (Form ST‑1) | www.ks.gov/revenue/ (search “ST‑1”) | | Kansas Transient Guest Tax information | www.ks.gov/revenue/ (search “Transient Guest Tax”) | | Elk County Treasurer – Transient Guest Tax registration | www.elkcountykansas.org/ (look for “Transient Guest Tax” link) | | Howard City Hall – Contact & Permit Information | www.howardks.gov/ |

All URLs are taken directly from the source material you supplied. If a URL has changed, the page may be archived by the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine).

7. Quick‑Start Checklist (One‑Page Summary)

1. Zoning Confirmation – Verify STR is allowed on your lot (call City Planning).
2. Building‑Code Check – Ensure the unit meets IBC (foundation, egress, utilities).
3. Permit – Obtain a building permit for any renovations.
4. Business License – Apply at Howard City Hall.
5. State Sales‑Tax & Transient Guest Tax – Register with Kansas DOR and Elk County Treasurer.
6. Insurance – Secure liability coverage.
7. Inspections – Fire, building, occupancy inspections; receive occupancy permit.
8. Guest Policies – Draft house rules (noise, parking, trash).
9. Listing – Post on platforms; collect and remit taxes.
10. Renewals – Renew business license and tax registrations annually.

Final Note: The source material provides a solid foundation (city‑wide IBC adoption and county‑level building‑permit expectations) but does not contain an explicit short‑term‑rental ordinance for Howard. Consequently, investors should treat STRs as a standard residential‑use activity, confirming compliance with zoning, building codes, and state tax statutes before opening. If you need a deeper dive into zoning language (e.g., “home‑occupation” clauses), request a copy of the Howard Municipal Code from the city clerk or consult the city’s planning department directly.