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

Moderate

KansasUpdated Mar 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 26

Classification

Moderate

Severity

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

What this means for you

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

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$2,500

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Non-owner occupied units are strictly capped at 80 city-wide and often have a waitlist.
2A single owner or entity is limited to only one non-owner occupied license.
3Fire inspections are comprehensive and include egress window checks for all bedrooms.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

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.

Requirements10 rules

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 process7 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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

Taxes2 rules

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 & restrictions7 rules

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 requirements2 rules

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.

Penalties2 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Lawrence

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Confirm your property is in a permitted zone and check if the owner-occupied or non-owner occupied cap applies to your situation.

1-2 daysFree

Documents needed

Property Deed

Official resource

Step 2

Submit License Application

Complete the Short-Term Rental License application and pay the $150 fee to the Planning & Development Services department.

1 week$150

Documents needed

License Application Form
Local Contact Info
Tenant Permission (if applicable)

Official resource

Step 3

Pass Fire Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a mandatory fire safety inspection conducted by Lawrence Fire City Code officials.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Inspection Checklist

Official resource

Step 4

License Issuance

Upon successful inspection and application review, the city will issue the STR license number to be displayed on all listings.

3-5 daysFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Lawrence

Moderate

KansasUpdated Mar 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 26

Classification

Moderate

Severity

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

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$2,500

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Non-owner occupied units are strictly capped at 80 city-wide and often have a waitlist.
2A single owner or entity is limited to only one non-owner occupied license.
3Fire inspections are comprehensive and include egress window checks for all bedrooms.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

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.

Requirements10 rules

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 process7 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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

Taxes2 rules

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 & restrictions7 rules

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 requirements2 rules

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.

Penalties2 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Lawrence

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Confirm your property is in a permitted zone and check if the owner-occupied or non-owner occupied cap applies to your situation.

1-2 daysFree

Documents needed

Property Deed

Official resource

Step 2

Submit License Application

Complete the Short-Term Rental License application and pay the $150 fee to the Planning & Development Services department.

1 week$150

Documents needed

License Application Form
Local Contact Info
Tenant Permission (if applicable)

Official resource

Step 3

Pass Fire Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a mandatory fire safety inspection conducted by Lawrence Fire City Code officials.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Inspection Checklist

Official resource

Step 4

License Issuance

Upon successful inspection and application review, the city will issue the STR license number to be displayed on all listings.

3-5 daysFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Submit License Application

Pass Fire Safety Inspection

License Issuance

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?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Submit License Application

Pass Fire Safety Inspection

License Issuance

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?

Disclaimer