Overview: Are STRs allowed in Saint Francis, KS?

• Short‑term rentals are allowed in Saint Francis, Kansas. No city‑specific ban or licensing scheme for residential STRs is identified in the City’s “Buildings & Construction” ordinance (Chapter 4). Operators must, however, comply with all applicable building, electrical, plumbing, housing, and safety codes, and any licensing/permit requirements that apply to the specific activity (e.g., RV parks or non‑traditional housing). The Uniform Housing Code and standard building code provisions are in effect and are enforced through permits and inspections.
• Operators must also satisfy any state and county obligations (e.g., lodging/Transient Guest Tax registration and collection if implemented by the City or County; state sales/use tax, workers’ compensation, and business registration). Those obligations are not detailed in the City’s “Buildings & Construction” ordinance and must be confirmed with the City Clerk and relevant state/county agencies.
• Investment takeaway: Yes—STRs are generally permissible so long as the property and its use meet the City’s Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Housing codes and any applicable licensing is obtained. Because there is no city‑specific STR ordinance in Chapter 4, investors should verify zoning and any local tax or licensing at the City/County level.

Source: City of St. Francis Municipal Code – Chapter 4 (Buildings & Construction). stfranciskansas.com/chapter_4_buildings_construction/

How to Start an STR Business in Saint Francis, KS

1. Site due diligence
   • Confirm zoning and allowable uses for the target property. Chapter 4 does not contain a zoning chapter; verify with the City whether STRs are a permitted use in the relevant district.
   • Confirm utility availability (water, sewer, electric) and any frontage, access, or fire‑lane constraints.
2. Structure type and safety
   • Single‑family home, condo, or townhome: Must comply with the Uniform Housing Code and standard building code rules (including egress, smoke detectors, life safety, and electrical/plumbing systems).
   • Tiny homes, park models, or mobile/RV‑style units: If the intended occupancy is not “permanent” and is more transient in nature, the City’s regulations for Mobile Homes/Parks (Art. 10) and RV/Travel Trailer Parks (Art. 11) may be triggered. These require licenses, service buildings, spacing and setback standards, utility hookups, and inspections.
   • RV/Travel Trailer Parks: You must obtain a yearly city license for the park (Art. 11), maintain full‑service hookups for each site, and comply with operational/space standards set by the City.
3. Building, electrical, plumbing, and gas
   • Secure all required permits BEFORE work begins (Art. 2 Building Code, Art. 3 Electrical, Art. 4 Plumbing & Gas‑Fitting). Submit plans/specifications as required by the Building Official. Obtain approvals and pass inspections before occupancy.
   • Commercial‑style food service or specialty equipment requires licensed trades and code‑compliant installations. Builder/contractor insurance is required (see “Documents/Permits”).
4. Housing and occupancy standards
   • Comply with the Uniform Housing Code (Art. 5) for minimum safety, sanitation, and habitability. This is the baseline for any residential STR.
5. Inspections and approvals
   • Required inspections are tied to the scope of work. The Building/Electrical/Plumbing inspectors have right of entry and may require corrections to achieve code compliance.
6. Taxes and registration
   • Kansas Transient Guest Tax (lodging tax) may apply; registration and collection are typically local. Confirm whether Saint Francis has adopted this tax and whether STR operators must register and remit. If adopted, obtain any required local lodging tax registration, reporting numbers, and tax rates.
   • Kansas sales and use tax: Confirm whether your STR sales are taxable and register as a business if required (e.g., Kansas Department of Revenue). Check local sales tax rates and remittance obligations.
   • Workers’ compensation: Confirm whether you are required to carry it for your business operations.
7. Insurance
   • Maintain appropriate property/casualty coverage for short‑term rental operations. The City requires builder/contractor liability insurance for permitted construction work (see thresholds below); STR operations should align coverage accordingly.
8. Operations and safety protocols
   • Implement guest screening, maximum occupancy enforcement, quiet hours (if applicable), refuse disposal, snow/ice control, and immediate hazard mitigation.
   • For RV parks, maintain registers (name/address, dates, unit details) and keep records available for inspection (Art. 10).
9. Final occupancy and recordkeeping
   • Obtain certificate(s) of approval/occupancy where applicable. Maintain permit files, inspection reports, and STR records for tax and code compliance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines Permits and Licenses (per City Code Chapter 4)

• Building Permit (Art. 2)
  • Required before erecting, enlarging, adding to, relocating, or remodeling a building or structure.
  • Applications to City Clerk with detailed information: owner, location, scope of work, dimensions, occupancy class, construction class, materials, estimated cost, start and completion dates, contractor info, proof of contractor insurance, and other pertinent details.
  • Fees: calculated on project valuation (see “Fees” below). No fee required if estimated cost ≤ $200.
  • Validity: up to six months unless otherwise provided. Extensions require a new permit and fees.
  • Posting: a copy of the permit must be kept on the premises during work until completion.
  • Insurance: Builder/contractor liability insurance is required.
• Electrical Permit (Art. 3)
  • Governed by the National Electrical Code; inspections and licensing apply. Liability insurance for electricians/electrical contractors is required.
• Plumbing/Gas Permit (Art. 4)
  • Governed by the Uniform Plumbing Code; licensed plumbers must be used unless owner‑performed on own residence with permit and inspection. Liability insurance for plumbers/plumbing contractors is required.
• Uniform Housing Code (Art. 5)
  • Establishes minimum standards for safety and habitability for residential dwellings (including STRs).
• RV/Travel Trailer Park License (Art. 11)
  • Required for renting space to recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
  • Full‑service hookups must be available for each site. Annual license and annual inspections.
• Mobile Home Park License (Art. 10, applicable if using mobile or house trailers)
  • Required to operate a mobile home or trailer camp; annual license, fees, inspections, and health officer approvals apply.

Fees (per City Code Chapter 4)

• Building permits (valuation‑based): $0.75 per $1,000 for first $20,000; $0.50 per $1,000 for $20,001–$100,000; $0.25 per $1,000 over $100,000; minimum $5; no fee if estimated cost ≤ $200.
• Demolition permits: $2 per 10 feet of building height plus 1% per foot of street frontage over 50 feet.
• Mobile home park annual license fee schedule (selected tiers):
  • 1 space: $15; 2 spaces: $30; 3–15 spaces: $40; 16–25: $50; 26–50: $70; 51–75: $100; 76–150: $200; over 150: $200 + $10 per 10 spaces (or fraction).
• Camp annual license fee schedule (selected tiers):
  • 2 spaces: $30; 3–15 spaces: $40; 16–25 spaces: $50; over 25: $50 + $10 per 10 spaces (or fraction).
• Temporary permit (mobile home/house trailer, ≤30 days): $5 per issuance; max two permits per property in any 12‑month period.
• RV/Travel Trailer Park license: annual license fee set by the Governing Body (amount not specified in Chapter 4).

Insurance Requirements

• Builder/Contractor (Building): $250,000 per person; $500,000 aggregate for bodily injury; $500,000 for property damage (per Art. 4‑213).
• Electrician/Electrical Contractor: $100,000 per person; $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury; $50,000 for property damage (per Art. 4‑310).
• Plumber/Plumbing Contractor: $100,000 per person; $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury; $50,000 for property damage (per Art. 4‑410).
• Moving buildings: $100,000 per person; $300,000 aggregate; $50,000 property damage (or $5,000 bond; per Art. 6‑604).

Plans, Specifications, and Approvals

• The Building Official may require architectural/engineering plans and specifications if needed to confirm code compliance. The City Governing Body acts as final interpreter of code ambiguities and may grant modifications for practical difficulties.

Non‑conformity, Enforcement, and Penalties

• Dangerous/Unfit Structures: The City may require repair, vacation, or demolition of unsafe structures (Art. 7).
• Penalties: Violations are punishable by fines (e.g., Building and Housing Codes specify fines not less than $25 and not more than $100). Daily violations after notice constitute separate offenses.
• Injunctive relief: The Building Official may seek court orders to stop continuing violations.

State‑Level Considerations (Kansas)

• Transient Guest (Lodging) Tax: Kansas allows cities and counties to adopt a transient guest tax on lodging. Whether Saint Francis has adopted such a tax is not in the provided Chapter 4 materials; investors should confirm with the City Clerk and County Treasurer. If adopted, local registration, rates, filing cadence, and remittance procedures will apply.
• Sales and Use Tax: Confirm STR taxable status and requirements (e.g., Kansas Department of Revenue registration, local sales tax rate, and compliance).
• Workers’ Compensation: Confirm obligations with the Kansas Division of Workers’ Compensation.
• Business Registration: Confirm any local/county business registration or tax obligations.
• These are not detailed in Chapter 4; they must be verified separately.

City, County, and State STR‑Related Regulations (Summary)

• City of Saint Francis
  • Building (Art. 2), Electrical (Art. 3), Plumbing/Gas (Art. 4), Uniform Housing Code (Art. 5), Dangerous Structures (Art. 7), Demolition (Art. 9), Mobile Homes/Parks (Art. 10), RV/Travel Trailer Parks (Art. 11).
  • Building permit required for most new construction, additions, alterations, moves, and remodels.
  • Builder/contractor insurance requirements; inspections and approvals by City inspectors.
  • RV and mobile/trailer parks require annual licenses and inspections; specific space, hookup, setback, and service building standards apply.
• Cheyenne County
  • County‑level building or health requirements may apply to well/septic systems or environmental health; not detailed in the provided materials.
• State of Kansas
  • Lodging (Transient Guest) Tax: may apply; confirm adoption and registration.
  • Sales tax, use tax, workers’ compensation: confirm applicability.
  • Business registration: confirm.

Local Authority Contacts and Resources

• City of St. Francis – City Hall
  • Website: stfranciskansas.com/
  • Contact/Phone: stfranciskansas.com/contact-us/
  • Permits & Licenses: stfranciskansas.com/permits/
  • Obtain a Building Permit (process overview): stfranciskansas.com/obtain-a-building-permit/
  • Physical address and hours: Confirm via the Contact page (details not included in the provided content).
• City Offices and Enforcement
  • Law Enforcement: stfranciskansas.com/police-department/
  • City Office (clerical/administrative): stfranciskansas.com/city-office/
• City Code & Documents
  • Municipal Code (Chapters): stfranciskansas.com/ch1-administration/
  • Chapter 4 – Buildings & Construction (URL above).
• State Resources (for lodging/sales tax, workers’ comp)
  • Kansas Department of Revenue (sales/use, lodging tax): www.ksrevenue.gov/
  • Kansas Division of Workers’ Compensation: www.dol.ks.gov/divisions/workerscompensation

Links to Source Pages

• Chapter 4 – Buildings & Construction: stfranciskansas.com/chapter_4_buildings_construction/
• City of St. Francis – Home: stfranciskansas.com/
• City of St. Francis – Contact: stfranciskansas.com/contact-us/
• City of St. Francis – Permits & Licenses: stfranciskansas.com/permits/
• City of St. Francis – Obtain a Building Permit: stfranciskansas.com/obtain-a-building-permit/
• City of St. Francis – Municipal Code (Chapter Index): stfranciskansas.com/ch1-administration/
• City of St. Francis – Police Department: stfranciskansas.com/police-department/
• City of St. Francis – City Office: stfranciskansas.com/city-office/
• Kansas Department of Revenue: www.ksrevenue.gov/
• Kansas Division of Workers’ Compensation: www.dol.ks.gov/divisions/workerscompensation

Additional Notes

• Zoning and local lodging tax are not contained in Chapter 4; investors should confirm both before committing capital.
• For properties that resemble RV/trailer operations rather than traditional residential structures, the City’s park licensing (Art. 10/11) will likely apply and dictates operational standards, service building requirements, and annual fees.