Grove, Oklahoma Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Grove, Oklahoma

SHORT-TERM RENTALS ARE ALLOWED in Grove, Oklahoma. Vacation Rental Homes (VRHs) are explicitly permitted under the city's zoning ordinances, with specific regulations and permitting requirements. Grove has established a comprehensive framework that allows STRs while maintaining neighborhood character and public safety.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Grove?

Grove hosts earn a median $21,815/year with $196 ADR and 45% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,965+ per year.

See the full Grove market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Grove

Step 1: Determine Zoning Eligibility

Before purchasing or converting a property, verify that STR use is permitted in your target area:

Allowed by Right: A-1 Agriculture, R-2 Two-Family Residential, R-3 Multi-Family Residential, and RMH Residential Manufactured Home districts
Requires Special Use Permit: RE-1 Residential Estates, R-1 Single-Family Residential, and R-1S Single-Family Residential districts

Step 2: Secure Property and Ownership

Obtain proof of ownership (warranty deed or quit-claim deed)
Ensure the property meets building code requirements
Confirm wastewater disposal system compliance (septic systems require testing)

Step 3: Apply for Required Permits and Licenses

Submit Vacation Rental Home Permit application
Obtain Occupational License
Complete Special Use Permit application if required for your zoning district
Submit to Building Inspector for inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

Step 4: Designate Local Contact Person

Appoint a local contact within 20 miles who can respond 24/7
This person must have access and authority to manage the unit and take remedial measures
Update contact information within 10 days of any changes

Step 5: Operational Setup

Install required safety equipment (smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher)
Post mandatory interior notice with permit details and rules
Establish trash collection procedures
Prepare for annual inspections

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

Vacation Rental Home Permit

Initial Fee: $250
Renewal Fee: $100 (due annually by July 1)
Application Requirements:
- Property owner name, mailing address, email, phone
- Physical address of VRH
- Local contact person information
- Number of bedrooms and square footage
- Diagram/photos of on-site parking spaces
- Pool/hot tub/spa indication
- Federal Tax ID or Social Security number
- Proof of ownership with legal description
- Wastewater disposal verification (septic requires ODEQ test)

Occupational License

Required for property owner or designated agent
Maintains compliance with city business regulations
Must be current throughout VRH operation

Special Use Permit (if required)

Fee: $200 (non-refundable)
Required for: Properties in RE-1, R-1, R-1S districts
Process: Public hearing before Planning & Zoning Commission, then City Council
Timeline: 20+ days notice period required

State-Level Requirements

Oklahoma State Department of Health Lodging Establishment License

Required if: 4+ rooms rented individually to transient guests
Not required if: Entire property rented as single unit
Contact OSDH for application and compliance requirements

Safety and Building Compliance

Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing code compliance
Working smoke detectors on each level
Carbon monoxide detectors where required
Fire extinguisher access
Certificate of Occupancy from Building Inspector

Specific Regulations for Grove, OK, Delaware County, and Oklahoma

City of Grove Regulations

Zoning and Density

Maximum Density: 5% of total households citywide may be used as VRHs
Permitted Districts: A-1, R-2, R-3, RMH (by right)
Conditional Districts: RE-1, R-1, R-1S (Special Use Permit required)

Occupancy Limits

Maximum Overnight Occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom + 4 additional persons
Excludes: Children 5 years and younger
Determination: Building Inspector establishes bedroom count during initial inspection

Parking Requirements

All parking must be on-site on asphalt or concrete surfaces
Prohibited: Parking on grass, yards, or streets
Additional: Maximum 3 boat/watercraft trailers behind front building line
Lot Coverage: Cannot exceed Maximum Lot Coverage Percentage per zoning

Operational Restrictions

Use Limitation: Property limited to lodging use only
Commercial Activities: Prohibited on VRH premises
Noise: Must comply with city noise ordinances
Trash: Rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids required

Advertising Requirements

All advertisements must include:

Number of bedrooms available
Maximum occupancy allowed
Maximum number of boat/watercraft trailers
City VRH permit number

Mandatory Interior Notice

Posted on inside of front door:

Copy of VRH Permit
Standard Conditions summary
Managing agency/agent/owner contact (24-hour availability)
Maximum occupants permitted
Maximum vehicles and trailers allowed
On-site parking location
Prohibition on street parking
Violation notice
Emergency dialing instructions (911)

Inspection and Compliance

Annual Inspection: City staff verifies compliance
Complaint Response: Right of entry for investigations
Violation Response: 30-day written response requirement
Penalties: Misdemeanor charges, fines up to $500 plus court costs, permit revocation

Delaware County Regulations

No county-specific STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. County-level requirements may apply for septic systems and other infrastructure.

Oklahoma State Regulations

Lodging Tax: State lodging tax applies to short-term rentals
Health Department: OSDH licensing for properties renting individual rooms
Environmental Quality: ODEQ septic system testing requirements
Building Codes: State minimum building standards apply

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Grove - Community Development Department

Primary Contact: Darrin Hull, Code Enforcement Officer
Address: 1201 NEO Loop, Grove, OK 74344
Phone: 918-786-6107
Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday (Closed National Holidays)

Links to Source Pages

City of Grove Vacation Rental Homes Page: www.cityofgroveok.gov/cd/page/vacation-rental-homes
Vacation Rental Homes Ordinance: www.cityofgroveok.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/1398/vacation_rental_homes_-_ordinance_sup.pdf
City Code Library: codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/groveok/latest/overview
VRH Online Application: www.cityofgroveok.gov/cd/webform/vacation-rental-home-permit-line-application
Business License Online Application: www.cityofgroveok.gov/cd/webform/businessoccupation-license-line-application
Current VRH Map: gmsacog.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=e8e301ebecc24390a2311a1ffe79d23f&locale=en

Investment Recommendation: Grove offers a favorable environment for STR investment with clear regulatory framework, tourist-focused economy, and growing market performance. Success requires careful compliance with zoning, permitting, and operational requirements while capitalizing on the area's recreational amenities and tourist attractions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Grove

Grove is a small city in Delaware County, in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma, with a population of roughly seven thousand residents. It sits along the southwestern shore of Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, one of Oklahoma's largest reservoirs, and serves as the principal commercial and tourism hub for the lake region. The town has a relaxed, small-town character that swells into a busier resort atmosphere during the warmer months when visitors arrive for boating, fishing, and lakeside getaways. Grove lies approximately eighty miles northeast of Tulsa and roughly two hundred miles from Oklahoma City, making it a regional destination rather than a major urban stop.

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees is the defining feature of the area and the reason most visitors come to Grove. The lake covers about forty-six thousand surface acres of clear water threaded by coves, peninsulas, and wooded shoreline, and it has long been regarded as one of the top bass-fishing lakes in the country. Marinas, public boat ramps, lakeside restaurants, and waterfront neighborhoods are scattered along the shore within a short drive of downtown Grove, and the lake's scale means there is room for both serious anglers and casual boaters.

A short drive east of town, Har-Ber Village is a recreated pioneer-era settlement built on a peninsula jutting into the lake. It features dozens of original and reconstructed nineteenth-century buildings, many of them log cabins, schools, and trading posts that were relocated to the site from across the region, and it functions as an open-air museum of frontier life in eastern Oklahoma. Closer to central Grove, Lendonwood Gardens is a compact botanical garden with themed collections that include a Japanese garden, a Native American garden, and a fern-filled valley, giving visitors a quieter, walkable counterpoint to the lake's larger-scale recreation.

The surrounding landscape adds to the appeal. The Ozark highlands of Oklahoma and Arkansas roll out in every direction, and nearby Honey Creek State Park, located on the lake's western arm, offers campgrounds, hiking trails, and additional shoreline access within about a fifteen-minute drive of Grove. The broader region also includes small historic towns, scenic byways, and opportunities for hunting and wildlife watching in the woods beyond the lake.

Grove's draw is straightforward: a small, friendly town wrapped around a big, activity-filled lake, with enough nearby outdoor variety to keep guests busy for several days. That combination of waterfront recreation, scenic Ozark setting, and accessibility from Tulsa and Kansas City makes the area a natural fit for short-term rental owners looking to serve families, anglers, and seasonal lake-goers throughout the year.

Grove, Oklahoma

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Grove, Oklahoma