Stillwater, Oklahoma Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Stillwater?

Stillwater hosts earn a median $22,442/year with $203 ADR and 39% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,422+ per year.

See the full Stillwater market breakdown

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

Step-by-Step Process

Property Ownership Verification
- Only the owner of the property can operate a short-term rental
- Renters or leaseholders are not permitted to operate STRs
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
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.
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
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:

Operating Without a License
- 30-day grace period to obtain license
- Subsequent violations referred to City Prosecutor for Municipal Court charges
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
Parking Violations
- Courtesy notification to license holder
- Subsequent citations result in Municipal Court prosecution
- Failure to correct leads to Planning Commission referral
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
Property Maintenance Issues
- Written notification with 10-day correction period
- Subsequent violations result in Municipal Court prosecution and potential abatement
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

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.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Stillwater

Stillwater is a mid-sized college town in north-central Oklahoma, the seat of Payne County and home to roughly 48,000 residents. Set on the gently rolling prairie of the Cross Timbers region, it has the energetic, seasonal rhythm of a university community, anchored by Oklahoma State University and the bustle that comes with a major campus. Stillwater is best known as a college town and a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural and oil-country communities, and it serves as a convenient base for travelers exploring north-central Oklahoma. It sits about 70 miles northeast of Oklahoma City and roughly 80 miles west of Tulsa, making both metropolitan areas and their airports reachable within an hour and a half by car.

The Oklahoma State University campus is the heart of the city and a destination in its own right. Its tree-lined historic core, public art, athletic facilities, and event calendar give the town much of its identity, and visitors often come for campus tours, college sports weekends, conferences, and commencement. The university also maintains the OSU Botanic Garden, a free public space with walking trails, native plant collections, and seasonal displays, located on the southern edge of campus a few minutes from downtown.

A few miles from the campus core, Eskimo Joe's has become something of a cultural landmark, a casual restaurant and bar that draws both locals and road-trippers for its burgers, "world-famous" cheese fries, and college-town memorabilia. Regulars and visitors alike tend to treat a stop here as part of the Stillwater experience, especially on game days when the patio spills out toward the crowds. Just down the road, Main Street in downtown Stillwater offers a compact stretch of locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques housed in early-twentieth-century brick buildings, providing a walkable counterpoint to the sprawling campus.

Outdoor recreation lies within easy reach. Boomer Lake, on the northern edge of town, is a popular spot for walking, fishing, and picnicking, with a paved trail loop that draws joggers and dog walkers year-round. A short drive northeast of the city, Lake McMurtry offers a quieter alternative for camping, hiking, and lake fishing in a wooded setting. To the west, Payne County opens onto the broader landscape of central Oklahoma, where small prairie lakes and state parks can be reached within roughly an hour's drive.

Stillwater makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines the steady demand of a flagship university with the year-round appeal of regional events, a walkable downtown, and easy access to both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Visitors drawn by campus life, family weekends, hunting seasons, or simply passing through the region tend to look for the comfort and space of a private rental, and the city's mix of small-town character, college energy, and central Oklahoma location gives it broad seasonal appeal.