Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Mission, KS? Short‑term rentals are explicitly allowed in Mission, Kansas, but only with a valid City license and strict adherence to new regulations that took effect January 1, 2025. The City defines a short‑term rental as any rental of 28 consecutive days or less. Licensing is mandatory, and the ordinance limits the number of units per parcel based on zoning, caps ownership at two licenses per owner (with limited grandfathering), requires a local management agent, and imposes occupancy and event restrictions. Failure to obtain a license and comply can result in fines and enforcement actions. Source: City of Mission STR Ordinance Chapter 675; City news release.

How to start a short‑term rental business in Mission, KS

1. Confirm eligibility and parcel zoning

• Decide whether the property will be operated as an STR. Confirm its zoning with Planning + Zoning because allowable STR unit counts differ by district.
• If you already own more than two STRs at the time the ordinance takes effect (January 1, 2025), check whether any grandfathering provisions apply to your holdings; however, any grandfathering is non‑transferable and will not apply to properties acquired after the effective date. Sources: City news release; STR Ordinance Chapter 675.

2. Identify a Management Agent

• Each STR must have a Management Agent who resides within 40 miles of the property. The agent is responsible for regular inspections, responding to guest issues, and accepting service of City notices. The owner may serve as the agent if they meet the distance requirement. Source: City news release; STR Ordinance Chapter 675.

3. Complete licensing application and pay fees

• File the online Short‑Term Rental Application and pay the license fee of $500 per STR property. Licenses are non‑transferable and attach only to the approved property. Source: STR Online Application Form; STR Ordinance Chapter 675.

4. Submit Safety Certification

• Complete and submit the City’s Safety Certification checklist. This is a core requirement for license issuance. Source: STR Safety Certification Checklist.

5. Post license and Good Neighbor Guidelines

• Once issued, visibly post the Short‑Term Rental License inside the unit and include the license number in your listings (Airbnb, VRBO, direct, etc.). Post the Good Neighbor Guidelines for guests. Source: STR Safety Certification Checklist; Good Neighbor Guidelines.

6. Operate within the rules

• Operate the STR for a minimum of two nights per stay.
• No use for gatherings, meetings, or any event allowing non‑renting guests.
• Respect occupancy limits: two adults per bedroom, and no more than 10 total occupants per dwelling.
• Maintain compliance with zoning limits on STR units per parcel.
• Ensure the Management Agent remains in place and local. Source: STR Ordinance Chapter 675; City news release.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Short‑Term Rental License Application (online) — License fee: $500 per property. License is non‑transferable.
• Safety Certification Checklist — Must be completed and submitted with the application.
• License Posting — License must be posted inside the unit; license number must be included in all listings.
• Good Neighbor Guidelines — Must be posted inside the unit for guest reference.
• Management Agent designation — Agent must live within 40 miles of the property and accept notices on the owner’s behalf.
• Zoning compliance — The allowable number of STR units per parcel depends on the zoning district.
• Proof of underlying rental license (if applicable) — All rental properties in Mission must also maintain the City’s general rental property license and renew annually. Sources: STR Online Application Form; STR Safety Certification Checklist; STR Ordinance Chapter 675; Municipal Code/STR Ordinance PDF.

City‑level STR regulations (Mission, KS) Applicability and definitions

• Short‑term rentals are defined as rentals of 28 consecutive days or less. The ordinance applies to single‑family homes, owner‑occupied units, multi‑family units, and dwelling units in commercial buildings. Sources: City of Mission STR page; City news release.

License limits and ownership caps

• A single owner may hold no more than two (2) STR licenses within City limits, subject to limited grandfathering for owners with more than two STR properties at the time of ordinance adoption. Grandfathering is non‑transferable. Source: STR Ordinance Chapter 675; City news release.

Zoning‑based unit limits per parcel

• The maximum number of STR units per parcel is capped by underlying zoning:
  • One (1) STR unit per parcel zoned R‑1 (RP‑1) Single‑Family Residential District or R‑3 (RP‑3) Town‑House District.
  • Two (2) STR units per parcel zoned R‑2 (RP‑2) Two‑Family Residential District or DND Downtown Neighborhood District.
  • Four (4) STR units per parcel zoned R‑4 (RP‑4) Garden Apartment District, R‑6 (RP‑6) High‑Rise Apartment District, MS‑1 or MS‑2 Main Street District, or MXD Mixed‑Use District. Source: City news release; STR Ordinance Chapter 675.

Operating requirements and occupancy

• Minimum stay: two nights.
• Events and gatherings that allow non‑renting guests are prohibited.
• Occupancy: two adults per bedroom and no more than 10 total occupants in the dwelling.
• License applicability: license is valid only for the specific property and cannot be transferred.
• Posting: license and Good Neighbor Guidelines must be posted inside the unit; license number must be displayed on listings. Sources: STR Ordinance Chapter 675; STR Safety Certification Checklist; Good Neighbor Guidelines; STR Online Application Form.

Management Agent

• Required for every STR. The Management Agent must live within 40 miles of the property, regularly inspect the property, manage renter conduct, and accept service of City notices. Owners may act as their own agent if they meet the distance requirement. Source: City news release; STR Ordinance Chapter 675.

Inspection protocol and renewals

• Routine interior inspections are not required for single‑family or STR properties. Guests or tenants may request an inspection if they have health or safety concerns.
• Rental licenses (including STRs) are renewed annually on a calendar‑year basis (January 1 – December 31). Source: City of Mission STR page (FAQ section).

Enforcement

• Operating without a license or in violation of the ordinance can result in fines, penalties, and other enforcement actions as specified by the STR ordinance. Sources: City of Mission STR page (FAQ section); STR Ordinance Chapter 675.

County and state‑level context (Johnson County, KS)

• Johnson County ishome to many jurisdictions with their own STR rules (e.g., Fairway, Merriam, Shawnee, Prairie Village). Mission’s ordinance is city‑specific; ensure you review the City’s STR regulations for any property located within Mission’s corporate limits.
• At the state level, short‑term rental operators typically must collect and remit Kansas sales tax and any local transient guest taxes, and register with the Kansas Department of Revenue (e.g., using forms such as ST‑36). Mission’s materials do not specify state tax procedures; however, investors should verify state tax registration and remittance requirements separately with the Kansas Department of Revenue and Johnson County prior to operations.

Active STR list The City maintains a public list of active short‑term rental properties in Mission, which includes addresses such as:

• 5527 Glenwood St.
• 4844 Dearborn St.
• 4846 Dearborn St.
• 5335, 5341 Lamar Avenue
• 5340 Outlook St.
• 5418 Johnson Dr.
• 5436 Outlook St.
• 5601 W 58th St. (multiple listings)
• 5819 Horton St.
• 5901 W 62nd St.
• 5940 Reeds Rd.
• 6050 W 52nd St.
• 6055 Juniper Dr.
• 6210 W 56th St.
• 6500 Nall Avenue
• 5501 Broadmoor St. Source: City of Mission STR page.

Local authority contact information

• City of Mission, Community Development Department (oversees STR licensing)
  • Address: 6090 Woodson Street, Mission, KS 66202
  • Phone: 913.676.8360
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
• City Hall (general information)
  • City Hall: 913.676.8350
• Website: City of Mission STR page and Licenses + Permits portal (links below). Sources: City of Mission STR page; City news release; Licenses + Permits page.

Links to source pages (important)

• City of Mission Short‑Term Rentals page: www.missionks.org/city-government/departments/neighborhood-services/rental-licensing-and-inspections/short-term-rentals/
• City news release (new STR regulations effective 1/1/2025): www.missionks.org/news/new-short-term-rental-regulations-coming-to-mission-in-2025/
• STR Ordinance Chapter 675 (Municipal Code): ecode360.com/MI3487/laws/LF2197996.pdf
• Short‑Term Rental License Application (online): missionks.govbuilt.com/AdvancedForms/application-for-rental-property-license
• STR Safety Certification Checklist (PDF): www.missionks.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/STR-Safety-Certification-Updated-Version-11-13-24.pdf
• Good Neighbor Guidelines (PDF): www.missionks.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Mission-SRT-Good-Neighbor-Guidlines.pdf
• Licenses + Permits portal: www.missionks.org/city-services/licenses-and-permits/
• Planning + Zoning (zoning verification): www.missionks.org/city-services/planning-zoning/
• Johnson County Post coverage (context): johnsoncountypost.com/2024/08/26/mission-short-term-rentals-2-240534/
• KCTV5 coverage (effective date/overview): www.kctv5.com/2024/12/31/missions-new-rules-short-term-rentals-go-into-effect-january-1/

Practical tips for investors

• Verify zoning first: The unit cap per parcel is tied to underlying zoning; an R‑1 parcel allows only one STR unit. Do not assume multifamily capacity without confirming zoning.
• Designate a local management agent early: If you live more than 40 miles away, contract a local agent immediately; the City expects prompt response capability.
• Budget for licensing: $500 per STR plus the time and cost of the safety certification and any updates required by the checklist.
• Guest communications: Publish the Good Neighbor Guidelines and occupancy limits in your listing; reinforce messaging at check‑in to avoid party/event violations.
• Keep records: Maintain the posted license, safety certification, and agent designation on file for inspections or guest requests.
• State tax compliance: Register with the Kansas Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax and any applicable transient guest taxes before listing. The City’s STR materials do not detail state tax procedures; verify separately.

If you have questions or need to start the application, contact the Community Development Department at 913.676.8360 or apply via the City’s online licensing portal (see links above).