What should Olathe hosts know about no specific permit is currently?

No specific permit is currently required by the city, meaning anyone can list their home without a license.

What should Olathe hosts know about total tax burden is high?

Total tax burden is high at over 18%, combining sales tax and transient guest tax.

What should Olathe hosts know about hoa restrictions are the most?

HOA restrictions are the most common legal barrier for STRs in Olathe.

What should Olathe hosts know about the 9% transient guest tax?

The 9% Transient Guest Tax rate was recently established/increased, part of which funds major city entertainment and sports projects.

Olathe, KS Short-Term Rental Regulations & Tax Guide

Baseline Verification

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Verified: Feb 11, 2026

Summary

Olathe does not currently have specific short-term rental (STR) ordinances or permit requirements, though standard business standards and transient guest taxes apply.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

Olathe does not require a specific permit or license to operate a short-term rental at this time. Hosts must collect and pay state and local taxes, including the Transient Guest Tax, and ensure their property meets general safety codes. Always verify with your Homeowners' Association (HOA), as they may have their own private restrictions on rentals.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.No specific permit is currently required by the city, meaning anyone can list their home without a license.
2.Total tax burden is high at over 18%, combining sales tax and transient guest tax.
3.HOA restrictions are the most common legal barrier for STRs in Olathe.
4.The 9% Transient Guest Tax rate was recently established/increased, part of which funds major city entertainment and sports projects.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Olathe does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Olathe allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Multi-family, Duplex.
•Olathe: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Olathe: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(11)

•Olathe does not require STR registration.
•Olathe: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
•Olathe does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
•Olathe STR warning: The 9% Transient Guest Tax rate was recently established/increased, part of which funds major city entertainment and sports projects.

Application Process(5)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Olathe: Step 1: Verify Zoning and Private Restrictions - Check the Olathe zoning map to ensure the property is in a residential or commercial district and review HOA or neighborhood covenants for any STR prohibitions. Estimated time: 1-2 days. More info: https://www.olatheks.gov/government/planning-and-zoning Step 2: Register for Kansas Tax Account - Register with the Kansas Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax and transient guest tax registration number. Documents needed: Business EIN or SSN, Owner contact information. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/busregistration.html Step 3: Equip Property for Safety - Install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to ensure compliance with general residential safety codes. Estimated time: 1 day. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.olatheks.gov/government/fire/fire-safety-prevention

Taxes(4)

•Olathe: Total tax burden is high at over 18%, combining sales tax and transient guest tax.
•Olathe charges a Transient Guest Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 28 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit the 6.5% state sales tax and local transient taxes, but hosts are responsible for ensuring full compliance.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Olathe enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Olathe occupancy calculation: Generally governed by International Fire Code standards. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Olathe limits stays to a maximum of 28 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Olathe requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, Adherence to the International Building Code (IBC), Adherence to the International Fire Code (IFC).

Penalties(1)

•Olathe enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or notice of violation. Second offense: Municipal citation and fines. Third offense: Increased fines and potential court appearance.

Exemptions(2)

•Olathe exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Stays of 28 consecutive days or more are exempt from the Transient Guest Tax..
•Olathe: 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.

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Lawrence

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Olathe

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(5)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Kansas Markets

Wichita

Topeka

Overland Park

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Olathe

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 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 Olathe?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Olathe?

3Are there rental night limits in Olathe?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Olathe?

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