(All information is drawn from official City of Lee’s Summit sources and local news coverage dated 2025.)

1. OVERVIEW – Are STRs Permitted?

Yes – short‑term rentals are allowed in the City of Lee’s Summit, MO, but only under a narrow set of location, dwelling‑type, and owner‑occupancy rules. The City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) – § 6.505 – codifies these limits.

Core Eligibility Criteria (per City of Lee’s Summit STR page)

1. Location: Must be inside the Old Town Master Development Plan area or on a parcel of ≥ 1 acre outside that area.
2. Building Type: Only single‑family or two‑family (duplex) dwellings may be used.
3. Owner/Manager Presence: The property owner or a locally‑based representative must occupy a dwelling unit on the same parcel or an adjacent parcel.
4. Life‑Safety Compliance: All applicable fire, building, and health‑safety standards must be met (see Section 6.505).

If a property does not satisfy any of the above, it cannot be legally operated as an STR in Lee’s Summit.

2. HOW TO START AN STR BUSINESS IN LEE’S SUMMIT

| Step | Action | What You Need | |------|--------|---------------| | 1. Verify Zoning & Eligibility | Confirm that the parcel meets the Old‑Town‑area or ≥ 1 acre rule. | Use the City’s Interactive Zoning Map or request a Zoning Verification from Development Services. | | 2. Choose a Qualified Property | Select a single‑family home or duplex; ensure the owner (or a local manager) can occupy a unit on‑site or next door. | Ownership documentation or signed lease showing the owner/manager lives nearby. | | 3. Obtain a Business License | A business license is mandatory for any STR, regardless of unit count. | Completed Business License Application (available on the City’s Permits & Licensing portal). | | 4. Apply for the STR Permit (if required) | The City’s STR page indicates a permit may be required; the precise fee is set by the Development Services schedule. | STR Permit Application (form # STR‑001). | | 5. Register the Property | Register the STR with Development Services; for properties with < 4 units an Exempt Form must be filed. | Completed STR Registration form; provide parcel ID, unit count, owner/manager contact info. | | 6. Demonstrate Life‑Safety Compliance | Meet all fire‑code, building‑code, and health‑safety standards (smoke & CO detectors, egress, fire extinguishers, etc.). | Inspection verification or stamped compliance checklist from a licensed inspector. | | 7. Set Up Transient‑Guest Tax Collection | Lee’s Summit collects a Transient‑Guest Tax on licensed STRs (city tax). | Register with the City’s Finance Department; configure tax remittance (usually monthly). | | 8. Launch & Market | List on Airbnb, Vrbo, etc., using the approved property address and license number. | Marketing copy must include the License/STR‑Permit number for transparency. | | 9. Ongoing Compliance | Respond to any City inspections, maintain records, file taxes, and renew licenses/permits annually. | Keep a compliance file (license, inspection reports, tax receipts). |

Typical Time‑line: 2–4 weeks from application to issuance of business license & STR permit, assuming the property is already compliant with zoning and life‑safety codes.

3. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, PERMITS, LICENSES & GUIDELINES

| Requirement | Where to Obtain | Fee (if known) | Notes | |-------------|----------------|----------------|-------| | Business License | Development Services – Business & Contractor Licensing portal | $50 (per license; property owner & manager each) | Required before operating an STR. | | STR Permit (if applicable) | Development Services – Short‑Term Rental Permit form | Varies per City fee schedule (see Schedule of Fees) | The City page indicates a “permit” exists; confirm current fee. | | Exempt Form (for < 4 units) | Same STR Registration portal | $0 | Confirms exemption from full‑scale permit. | | Zoning Verification Letter | Development Services – Zoning Verification request | $25 (typical) | Proof that the parcel meets Old‑Town or ≥ 1 acre rule. | | Life‑Safety Inspection Report | Certified fire‑safety inspector or City Fire Dept. | $50‑$150 (depending on scope) | Must be on file prior to final permit issuance. | | Transient‑Guest Tax Registration | City Finance Department (online portal) | Tax rate set by City (e.g., 5 % of gross rental revenue) | Must be remitted monthly or quarterly. | | Annual Renewal | Business License & STR Permit renewal | Same fees as initial | Renewal due each calendar year. |

*All forms and applications can be accessed through the City’s Permits & Licensing hub: <cityofls.net/city-of-lees-summit/permits-licensing>.*

4. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS – CITY, COUNTY & STATE

4.1 City of Lee’s Summit (UDO § 6.505)

| Regulation | Detail | |------------|--------| | Allowed Locations | • Old Town Master Development Plan area (east of US 50, west of 291 N, south of Chipman Rd). <br>• ≥ 1 acre parcels outside that area. | | Permitted Dwelling Types | Single‑family detached homes or duplexes (two‑family). | | Owner/Manager Presence | Owner or a locally‑based representative must occupy a dwelling unit on the same parcel or an adjacent parcel. | | Life‑Safety Standards | Must comply with the City’s fire‑code, building‑code, and health‑safety ordinances (smoke/CO detectors, egress routes, fire extinguishers, etc.). | | Transient‑Guest Tax | 5 % tax on gross rental revenue, collected by the City when the STR is licensed. | | Inspections | City may conduct periodic inspections to verify compliance; complaints trigger inspections. | | Enforcement | Violations can result in fines, permit revocation, and criminal misdemeanor charges under the municipal code. |

*Full text of § 6.505 available in the City’s Unified Development Ordinance: <library.municode.com/mo/lee's_summit/codes/unified_development_ordinance?nodeId=ART6USST_DIVIIUSPECO_SD2US_S6.505SHTERE>.*

4.2 Jackson County

• No separate county‑wide STR ordinance was identified in the provided sources. STR operations are governed by the City of Lee’s Summit within its municipal boundaries.

4.3 State of Missouri

• Business License Requirement – municipalities may require a business license; Lee’s Summit does.
• Transient‑Guest Tax – Missouri statutes (e.g., § 144.020) allow cities to levy a tax on short‑term lodging; Lee’s Summit’s tax is the primary state‑level requirement for STRs.
• General Landlord‑Tenant & Safety Laws – All STRs must still meet the state’s fire‑safety, building‑code, and health‑code standards.
• Tax Remittance – Platforms such as Airbnb/VRBO often remit state sales tax on behalf of hosts, but the city‑levied transient‑guest tax must be paid directly by the host.

Reference: Missouri Department of Revenue – Transient Guest Tax guidelines (online).

5. CONTACT INFORMATION – City Authority for STRs

| Department | Address | Phone | Hours | Contact Form / Email | |------------|---------|-------|-------|----------------------| | Development Services – Neighborhood Services | 220 SE Green St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 (1st floor, City Hall) | 816‑969‑1200 | Mon‑Fri, 8 am – 5 pm (excluding holidays) | Online form: <cityofls.net/development-services/doing-business/contact-development-services> | | Fire Department (Fire‑Safety Inspections) | 110 SE 4th St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | 816‑969‑1400 | Mon‑Fri, 8 am – 5 pm | Same Development Services portal (select “Fire Safety” option) | | Finance Department (Transient‑Guest Tax) | 220 SE Green St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | 816‑969‑1000 | Mon‑Fri, 8 am – 5 pm | Finance portal: <cityofls.net/finance-budget-taxes> (select “Transient Guest Tax”) |

For immediate STR‑related questions, the Development Services phone line is the primary contact.

6. APPENDIX – SOURCE LINKS (IMPORTANT)

| Source | Description | |--------|-------------| | <cityofls.net/development-services/neighborhood-services/short-term-rentals> | City of Lee’s Summit STR overview and eligibility criteria. | | <library.municode.com/mo/lee's_summit/codes/unified_development_ordinance?nodeId=ART6USST_DIVIIUSPECO_SD2US_S6.505SHTERE> | Full text of UDO § 6.505 – Short‑Term Rentals. | | <citizenportal.ai/articles/5922526/Lees-Summit/Jackson-County/Missouri/Lees-Summit-council-declines-to-relax-short-term-rental-rules-for-World-Cup-after-debate-on-enforcement-and-safety> | City council meeting summary (Oct 7 2025) – current licensed STR count and enforcement discussion. | | <writing.strisker.com