Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Stillwater, OK?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The city has established a comprehensive regulatory framework that permits short-term rentals with proper licensing and compliance. A short-term rental license is required for the rental of any dwelling, portion thereof, or habitable accessory structure for a temporary period of up to 30 consecutive days per guest within a 90-day period. This includes rentals through third-party platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Stillwater, OK

Step-by-Step Process

1. Property Ownership Verification

   • Only the owner of the property can operate a short-term rental
   • Renters or leaseholders are not permitted to operate STRs

2. Zoning Compliance Check

   • Verify your property is located in an authorized zoning district
   • STRs are permitted in three residential zoning districts:
     • Single-Family Small Lot Residential (RSS)
     • Single-Family Large Lot Residential (RSL)
     • Two-Family Residential (RT)
   • Use the online zoning map to confirm zoning

3. License Application

   • Complete the Application for Short-Term Rental License (PDF)
   • Submit application and required documents to City Clerk's office at 723 S. Lewis St.

4. Public Notice Period

   • After application submission, the City sends notice to property owners within 300 feet
   • Neighboring property owners have 30 days to file objections
   • If objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled before the Stillwater Planning Commission

5. Tax Registration

   • Obtain a sales tax certificate from the State of Oklahoma OR
   • Arrange for a rental agent to collect the required taxes

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary License

• Short-Term Rental License (Required)
  • Initial application fee: $100
  • Annual renewal fee: $10 (before January 31 expiration)
  • License expires annually on January 31

Tax Requirements

• Oklahoma Sales Tax Certificate (if owner collects taxes)
• Lodging/Room Tax compliance through either:
  • Property owner obtaining sales tax certificate from State of Oklahoma, OR
  • Rental agent collecting the tax

Supporting Documentation

• Complete Application for Short-Term Rental License (PDF)
• Property ownership verification
• Zoning compliance documentation
• Any additional documents specified in the application

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Municipal Regulations (City Level)

Zoning Restrictions:

• STRs only permitted in RSS, RSL, and RT zoning districts
• Must comply with underlying residential zoning requirements

Operational Requirements:

• Only property owner may operate the STR
• Maximum rental period: 30 consecutive days per guest within a 90-day period
• Must comply with all local ordinances including noise, parking, and property maintenance

Enforcement Procedures: The city has established specific enforcement procedures for various violation types:

1. Operating Without a License

   • 30-day grace period to obtain license
   • Subsequent violations referred to City Prosecutor for Municipal Court charges

2. Failure to Remit Room Tax

   • Notification to contact Oklahoma Tax Commission within 10 business days
   • Unpaid taxes pursued through OTC standard procedures
   • Persistent non-payment may result in license suspension/revocation

3. Parking Violations

   • Courtesy notification to license holder
   • Subsequent citations result in Municipal Court prosecution
   • Failure to correct leads to Planning Commission referral

4. Noise Complaints/Social Host Violations

   • Courtesy notification for first offense
   • Subsequent violations result in Municipal Court prosecution
   • Continued violations may lead to license suspension/revocation

5. Property Maintenance Issues

   • Written notification with 10-day correction period
   • Subsequent violations result in Municipal Court prosecution and potential abatement

6. Building Code/Safety Violations

   • Written notification with 10-day correction period
   • Continued violations result in Municipal Court prosecution

State-Level Regulations (Oklahoma)

• Compliance with Oklahoma state tax collection requirements
• Adherence to state building codes and safety standards
• State sales tax and lodging tax obligations

County-Level Regulations (Payne County)

No specific county-level STR regulations were identified in the provided content. STR operators should verify if Payne County has additional requirements beyond city regulations.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: City Clerk's Office

Physical Address: 723 S. Lewis St. Stillwater, OK 74074

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1449 Stillwater, OK 74076

Phone: (405) 742-8243 Fax: (405) 742-8208 Email: cityclerk@stillwaterok.gov

Contact Person: Teresa Kadavy, City Clerk Email: cityclerk@stillwaterok.gov

Visit Stillwater (Tourism Promotion Contact)

For short-term rental promotion services:

Contact: Cristy Morrison, President and CEO Email: Cristy@VisitStillwater.org Phone: (405) 743-3697

Note: Visit Stillwater will promote STRs that collect local visitor tax and local, county, and state sales tax. Properties listed only through Airbnb are eligible for promotion. Properties listed only through VRBO must show proof of Oklahoma Tax Commission sales tax permit and tax remittance verification for promotion.

Links to Source Pages

1. City of Stillwater - Short-Term Rentals
2. Short-Term Rental Enforcement Procedures (PDF)
3. Visit Stillwater - Short-Term Rental Promotion Policy
4. Short-Term Rental License Application (PDF)
5. Short-Term Rental Complaint Form (PDF)
6. Stillwater Zoning Map
7. Stillwater STRs in Stillwater OK (PDF)

Additional Resources

Complaint Reporting

• Online complaint form available through city website
• PDF complaint form for submission to City Clerk
• City monitors and tracks STR compliance complaints

Active License List

The city maintains an updated list of active short-term rentals in Stillwater, OK, available as a PDF document for reference and competitive analysis.

This guide provides comprehensive information for investors considering short-term rental opportunities in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Always verify current regulations with the City Clerk's office before making investment decisions, as ordinances and requirements may be updated.