STR INVESTOR'S GUIDE TO MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS

OVERVIEW: ARE SHORT-TERM RENTALS ALLOWED?

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Medicine Lodge, KS under specific conditions and zoning requirements. The city recognizes multiple types of short-term accommodation businesses, including Bed and Breakfast Inns, Tourist Homes, and other transient lodging facilities, subject to zoning compliance and permitting requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Medicine Lodge?

Medicine Lodge hosts earn a median $16,407/year with $93 ADR and 64% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $20,276+ per year.

See the full Medicine Lodge market breakdown

HOW TO START A SHORT-TERM RENTAL BUSINESS

Step 1: Zoning Compliance Verification

Determine your property's zoning district using the Official Zoning Maps (filed with City Clerk)
Verify permitted uses for your specific zoning classification
Check setback requirements and density limitations
Review floodplain restrictions if applicable (F-P Overlay District)

Step 2: Use Classification and Permitting

Identify your STR category:
- Bed and Breakfast Inn (residential structure with meals)
- Tourist Home (dwelling providing overnight accommodations)
- Hotel/Motel (commercial transient lodging)
Obtain required permits:
- Zoning Compliance Certificate
- Occupancy Certificate (if applicable)
- Conditional Use Permit (if required)

Step 3: Application Process

Submit applications to the Zoning Administrator
Provide detailed site plans and building specifications
Include supporting documentation for proposed use
Pay applicable fees (contact City Clerk for current fee schedule)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, PERMITS, AND LICENSES

Essential Documents:

Zoning Compliance Certificate - Required for all permitted uses
Occupancy Certificate - Certifies building meets all regulations for intended use
Conditional Use Permit - Required for uses listed as conditional in your zoning district
Site Plans - Detailed layout showing setbacks, access, parking
Building Specifications - Construction details and safety features

Supporting Documentation:

Proof of property ownership or lease agreement
Site description including lot dimensions and street address
Intended use and occupancy details
Building plans and specifications (if new construction or alterations)
Sanitary system compliance documentation
Fire safety measures documentation

Additional Considerations:

Kansas Department of Health and Environment licensing (if applicable)
Fire Department approval for safety compliance
Utility service verification (water, sewer, electric)

SPECIFIC REGULATIONS BY JURISDICTION

City of Medicine Lodge - Zoning Requirements:

Bed and Breakfast Inns:

Maximum 6 sleeping rooms in residential districts
Must be residential structures (not hotels or boarding houses)
Pre-arrangement required for definite short-term periods
Meals and lodging provided for compensation

Tourist Homes:

Overnight accommodations provided for transient guests
Compensation-based operations
Must comply with residential district standards

Permitted Zoning Districts:

Check specific district use regulations for STR allowances
Commercial districts (C-1, C-2) may have different requirements
Residential districts have specific limitations on commercial activity

General Requirements:

Comply with all bulk regulations (height, lot coverage, setbacks)
Meet parking requirements for transient guests
Maintain residential character in residential zones
Follow sign regulations (ARTICLE XXIV)
Comply with parking and loading standards (ARTICLE XXV)

Barber County Regulations:

County zoning applies outside city limits
Three-mile planning jurisdiction applies
Different requirements may apply for county properties

Kansas State Requirements:

Kansas Department of Health and Environment licensing for certain facilities
State building codes and safety standards
Food service regulations if meals provided
Alcohol licensing if applicable

CONTACT INFORMATION

City of Medicine Lodge

Address: 114 W. 2nd Ave, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104
Phone: (620) 886-3986
Website: www.medicinelodge.kansas.gov
Key Contacts:
- City Clerk: Responsible for permit applications and zoning compliance certificates
- Zoning Administrator: Administers zoning regulations and occupancy certificates
- Building Inspector: Reviews construction plans and inspections

Additional Contacts:

Barber County Planning & Zoning: (620) 886-5660
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: (785) 296-1500
Barber County Health Department: (620) 886-3294

IMPORTANT REGULATORY NOTES

Prohibited Uses:

STRs are specifically excluded from "home occupation" definitions
Adult entertainment establishments are prohibited
Certain commercial activities restricted in residential zones

Conditional Use Requirements:

Home occupations specifically exclude "tourist accommodations including bed and breakfast establishments"
Many STR types require Conditional Use Permits in residential zones
Planning Commission review and Governing Body approval required

Health and Safety:

Fire safety compliance required
Sanitary system compliance mandatory
Building code compliance for all structures
Occupancy limits must be enforced

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

Zoning Ordinance: medicinelodge.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Zoning-Ordinace-FINAL-20120516.pdf
Planning Commission Records: Contact City Clerk for current applications and decisions
Building Codes: City Building Department for current construction standards
State Regulations: Kansas Department of Health and Environment website

INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Due Diligence: Verify zoning classification before purchase
Professional Consultation: Engage local planning professionals familiar with city requirements
Pre-Application Meeting: Discuss requirements with Zoning Administrator before formal applications
Compliance Monitoring: Maintain ongoing compliance with all permit conditions
Community Relations: Understand neighborhood concerns and maintain good relationships

This guide provides the framework for operating a compliant short-term rental business in Medicine Lodge, KS. Specific requirements may vary based on property location, intended use, and current city regulations. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before beginning operations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Medicine Lodge

Medicine Lodge is a small, friendly city in south-central Kansas that serves as the county seat of Barber County. With a population of roughly 1,800 residents, it has the kind of relaxed, neighborly character typical of rural Kansas communities, surrounded by rolling prairie and the red sandstone hills of the Gypsum Hills region. The town is best known as the site of the 1867 Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty, one of the most significant agreements between the United States government and the southern Plains Indian tribes, and it continues to honor that history with community events and a long-running outdoor pageant. Medicine Lodge sits about 90 miles southwest of Wichita, the nearest major city, and roughly 130 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, placing it within a manageable drive for travelers exploring the southern Great Plains.

A short drive from the town center brings visitors to the Medicine Lodge River and the memorial grounds that commemorate the 1867 peace council between the U.S. government and the Kiowa, Comanche, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Plains Apache nations. The site includes a granite monument, interpretive areas along the river, and a small museum that tells the story of the treaty negotiations. The peace grounds are part of a local park and serve as the focal point for the town's biennial pageant, one of the longest-running outdoor historical dramas in the country. It is a quiet but meaningful stop for anyone interested in the history of the American West.

Just off the main street in Medicine Lodge stands the preserved home of Carry A. Nation, the radical temperance activist who grew up in the area before going on to fame—and notoriety—for her campaign against alcohol in the early 1900s. The house is operated as a small museum and offers a glimpse into frontier-era life in Barber County, as well as the early influences that shaped Nation's controversial career. For travelers who enjoy offbeat historical sites, it adds an unexpected layer to a visit.

A short drive south and west of Medicine Lodge, the landscape opens into the broader Gypsum Hills, sometimes called the Red Hills, where layers of red and white gypsum and shale create some of the most distinctive scenery in Kansas. The region is popular with hunters, fossil collectors, and road-trippers looking for sweeping views and uncrowded back roads. The area also offers access to a few small wildlife and fishing lakes, as well as the wide-open rangelands of the southern plains.

For short-term rental investors, Medicine Lodge offers an interesting mix of small-town character and regional history. Its distance from Wichita and proximity to the historic peace grounds, the Carry A. Nation home, and the broader Gypsum Hills make it a natural base for travelers interested in the Old West, native history, and the quieter side of the Kansas landscape. Seasonal events like the peace treaty pageant, combined with year-round outdoor appeal, give the town a steady stream of visitors looking for a stay that feels off the beaten path.

Medicine Lodge, Kansas

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Medicine Lodge, Kansas