Branson explicitly welcomes short‑term rentals. As of 2025, short‑term rentals are allowed in the City of Branson with proper licensing, permits, and tax compliance.

Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Branson, MO?

Yes. The City of Branson explicitly welcomes short‑term rental (STR) businesses. STRs are defined as dwelling units advertised, offered, or operated for lodging accommodations for one (1) to 30 consecutive days. Rentals operating within a primary residence, and traditional lodging establishments (e.g., hotels/motels), are excluded from this definition.

Branson’s STR regime is straightforward: obtain a city business license (per address), an STR fire safety permit from the Fire Department, and comply with tourism and sales taxes. Branson hosted roughly 10 million visitors in 2023, underscoring the market opportunity for STRs.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Branson

1. Confirm your property is inside Branson city limits

• Use the city’s boundary map to confirm the address is within the City of Branson.
• City Boundary Map: gis.bransonmo.gov/inOutCity/

2. Secure the STR Fire Safety Permit (required)

• Obtain an STR Permit from the Fire Department after an approved fire safety inspection.
• STR Permit is valid for 3 years and can transfer with new ownership.
• Use the Fire Department’s online portal to schedule fire safety inspections:
  forms.office.com/g/xtUZyG3RGA
• Complete the STR Self‑Inspection Guide before the scheduled inspection:
  /DocumentCenter/View/20457/Short-Term-Rental-Self-Inspection-Guide-February-2025-edition
• Install and post the STR Emergency Safety Plan and evacuation map in each unit:
  /DocumentCenter/View/20401/STR-Emergency-Safety-Plan

3. Apply for the Short‑Term Rental Business License (required)

• A separate license is required for each STR address. You may submit one application listing all addresses.
• Application fee: $100 per STR.
• Processing time is generally 7–10 business days.
• Apply online, in person, or by mail to:
  ATTENTION: BUSINESS LICENSE
  110 W MADDUX ST. STE 215
  BRANSON, MO 65616

4. Provide required documentation

• Valid, government‑issued ID for the responsible party.
• DBA (“Doing Business As”) name registered as a fictitious name with the Missouri Secretary of State (if applicable).
• Legal name registered with the Missouri Secretary of State (LLC/Corporation, if applicable).
• Missouri sales tax license (MSRL) for the city address (unless your STR ONLY uses Airbnb; see details below).
• Tourism tax bond: $100 per STR (collected prior to license issuance).

5. Tax registration and ongoing filings

• Register for Missouri sales tax (MSRL) with the Missouri Department of Revenue if you will collect/remit sales tax for your STR (most hosts).
• Note: If your STR will ONLY use Airbnb as the advertising platform, you do not need an MO sales tax license.
• Collect and remit Branson’s 4% tourism tax monthly (due by the 20th of the following month).
• If you use a platform other than Airbnb (or multiple platforms), you must register for MSRL and collect/remit Missouri state sales tax in addition to city tourism tax.

6. Post required documents on‑premises

• STR Emergency Safety Plan and emergency evacuation map must be posted in each unit.

7. Maintain compliance

• Annual business license renewal (due by May 1).
• Fire safety inspections are typically tied to the 3‑year STR permit; schedule renewals accordingly.
• File tourism tax returns monthly (before the 20th) regardless of activity; no platform remits Branson tourism tax on your behalf.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• STR Permit (Fire Department; fire safety inspection approval; valid 3 years)
• STR Business License ($100 per STR address; 7–10 business day processing)
• STR Self‑Inspection Guide (complete prior to fire inspection)
• STR Emergency Safety Plan and evacuation map (post in each unit)
• Tourism tax bond ($100 per STR; refundable after 3 consecutive years of timely payments)
• MO sales tax license (MSRL) — required unless you use Airbnb exclusively and no other platforms
• Missouri Secretary of State filings:
  • Fictitious name (DBA) registration (if operating under a DBA)
  • Entity registration if using an LLC or corporation
• Valid, government‑issued ID for responsible party
• Tourism tax returns (monthly, due by the 20th of the following month)

Fees (as of 2025):

• Business license application: $100 per STR
• Fire safety inspection: $150 per address location inspected

Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

City of Branson (Municipal)

• Business License (per address): Section 22‑30 and 22‑452
• Tourism Tax Bond: Section 82‑99 ($100; refund after 3 years of timely tourism tax payments)
• Tourism Tax (4%): Section 82‑93 (applies to hotel/motel/condo/timeshare/campground/tourist court; remitted to the City finance department)
• State Licensing Proof: Section 22‑23 (requires MO sales tax license or Secretary of State registration, as applicable)
• Application & Permit Fees: Section 22‑24 (license renewal by May 1; prorated fees for new businesses based on start date)

Taney County (as of the provided sources)

• No county‑specific STR regulations are cited in the provided materials. If your property is outside city limits, confirm county requirements directly with local authorities.

State of Missouri

• State sales tax on short‑term lodging is generally 4.225%. If you collect/remit sales tax, you must register with the Missouri Department of Revenue (MSRL).
• Sales tax is typically due monthly or quarterly depending on liability; verify filing cadence with the Department of Revenue.
• Platforms like Airbnb do not remit Branson’s 4% tourism tax; hosts file directly with the City.

Additional compliance notes

• Keep the STR Emergency Safety Plan and evacuation map posted in each unit.
• Use the city’s inspection portal for scheduling fire safety inspections.
• Ensure advertising and signage match your registered business name.
• Operating without the required license and permit is unlawful.

Local Authority Contacts (Branson)

• Business License / City Tax (Tourism Tax): 417‑337‑8551
• Permits: 417‑337‑8549
• Finance Department (Tourism Tax submissions): tourismtax@bransonmo.gov
  Mail: ATTENTION: Business License TT, 110 W Maddux St. Ste. 200, Branson, MO 65616
• Applications & Permits (main landing page): bransonmo.gov/309/Applications-Permits
• City Hall hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm
  Address: 110 West Maddux, Branson, MO 65616

Source Links

• City of Branson – Short‑Term Rentals: www.bransonmo.gov/969/NightlyShort-Term-Rentals
• Branson Municipal Code (Municode): library.municode.com/mo/branson/codes/code_of_ordinances
• Branson STR Inspection Portal: forms.office.com/g/xtUZyG3RGA
• STR Self‑Inspection Guide (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/20457/Short-Term-Rental-Self-Inspection-Guide-February-2025-edition
• STR Emergency Safety Plan Template (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/20401/STR-Emergency-Safety-Plan
• Applications & Permits: bransonmo.gov/309/Applications-Permits
• City Boundary Map (GIS): gis.bransonmo.gov/inOutCity/
• RedAwning – Missouri STR Regulations (2025): www.redawning.com/pm/post/missouri-short-term-rental-laws
• Sunset Realty – Investing in STRs in Branson (market context): www.sunsetrealtyservices.com/blog/investing-in-short-term-rentals-in-branson

Action checklist summary

• Confirm city limits via GIS.
• Schedule fire inspection via portal; complete self‑inspection guide.
• Post Emergency Safety Plan and evacuation map.
• Apply for business license (per address); pay $100 fee.
• Post $100 tourism tax bond.
• Register MSRL (if you’ll collect sales tax or use platforms beyond Airbnb).
• File Branson 4% tourism tax monthly by the 20th.
• Renew business license annually (by May 1).
• Maintain records and remain inspection‑ready.