What should Lawrence hosts know about non-owner occupied units are strictly?

Non-owner occupied units are strictly capped at 80 city-wide and often have a waitlist.

Are there rental limits in Lawrence?

A single owner or entity is limited to only one non-owner occupied license.

What should Lawrence hosts know about fire inspections are comprehensive and?

Fire inspections are comprehensive and include egress window checks for all bedrooms.

Lawrence, KS Short-Term Rental Regulations and Licensing Gu…

Summary

Lawrence requires a short-term rental license for all units, with a strict city-wide cap of 80 permits for non-owner occupied properties.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 26 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $150
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

If you want to rent your home for less than 30 days in Lawrence, you must apply for a license and pass a fire safety inspection. While owner-occupied rentals are generally allowed, properties where the owner does not live on-site are limited to one per owner and are subject to a city-wide cap of 80 total licenses.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Max Fine

$2,500

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Lawrence prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational Vehicles, Tents, Commercial-only structures.
•Lawrence: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Lawrence allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Tenants must have written permission from the property owner to operate an STR.

Requirements(10)

•Lawrence STR warning: A single owner or entity is limited to only one non-owner occupied license.
•Lawrence: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•Lawrence requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. General liability insurance covering short-term rental activity is required.

Application Process(7)

•Lawrence: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of Ownership, Site Plan, Floor Plan, Local Contact Information.
•Lawrence STR permit - Step 4: License Issuance. Upon successful inspection and application review, the city will issue the STR license number to be displayed on all listings. Time: 3-5 days.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Lawrence charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Lawrence charges a Transient Guest Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 6% Transient Guest Tax directly to the State/City.
•Kansas has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Lawrence limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Lawrence enforces quiet hours: 11pm-7am.
•Lawrence limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.
•Lawrence: Non-owner occupied units are strictly capped at 80 city-wide and often have a waitlist.

Safety Requirements(2)

•Lawrence requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Functioning HVAC system, No electrical hazards, Evacuation map posted.
•Lawrence: Fire inspections are comprehensive and include egress window checks for all bedrooms.

Penalties(2)

•Lawrence enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: 2500. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Lawrence: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Lawrence exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and Breakfast establishments, Hotels and Motels.
•Lawrence: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Lawrence

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(10)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Lawrence

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lawrence?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lawrence?

3Are there limits on non-owner occupied rentals in Lawrence?

4What are the safety requirements for Lawrence rentals?

Related Content

Other Kansas Markets

Wichita

Topeka

Olathe

Overland Park