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

**Yes**, Branson requires a Short-Term Rental Business License to operate legally. You need to apply with the city and pay a $150 annual fee to get your license. Before operating, you must also pass an annual fire inspection, which costs $100. A $1,000,000 liability insurance policy is also required.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Branson?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Branson, but only in specific residential and commercial zones. You need to verify that your property is located within a permitted zone before you can apply for a City Business License. Contact the Branson Planning and Zoning Department to confirm your property's eligibility.

How much does an STR permit cost in Branson?

**$150** is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Business License in Branson. You also need to factor in the $100 cost for the required annual fire inspection. These fees are necessary to legally operate a short-term rental within the city limits. Verify current fees with the city.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Branson?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb in Branson. Only property owners can obtain the required Short-Term Rental Business License. If you are renting a property, you will need to obtain permission from the property owner before you can operate a short-term rental.

Branson, MO Short-Term Rental Laws & Regulations

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

4 Official Sources

Summary

The City of Branson requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a specific STR Business License and pass an annual fire inspection. Rentals are permitted only in specific residential and commercial zones, and hosts must collect and remit a 4% city tourism tax.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 21 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $150
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Branson, you must first verify your property is in a permitted zone and apply for a City Business License. You are required to pay a $150 annual fee and have a professional fire inspection ($100) before you can start renting. Branson also requires a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy. Even though platforms like Airbnb collect the 4% tourism tax, you still need to file a monthly tax return with the city to report your earnings.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You MUST verify your property is in an 'LD', 'MD', or 'MU' zone; many residential areas are excluded.
2.Fire inspections are mandatory every year, not just at the initial application.
3.A local contact person who can respond within 1 hour must be available 24/7.
4.The 4% Tourism Tax is separate from the 4.225% State Sales Tax.
5.Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 per bedroom plus 2, capped at 10.
6.Advertising a property without a license number is a violation of the city code.
7.Monthly tax filings are required even if you had zero bookings that month.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Branson: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in Low Density Residential (R-1) districts.
•Branson: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Branson: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Branson does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements(14)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Branson: 1. Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO do NOT collect the 4% Branson Tourism Tax; hosts must remit this manually. 2. Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in Low Density Residential (R-1) districts. 3. A $100 Tourism Tax bond is required upfront for all new applications. 4. A separate business license and fire inspection is required for every individual address. 5. Business licenses expire annually on May 1st. 6. You must post an Emergency Safety Plan and Evacuation Map inside the unit. 7. You must register your business name (DBA) with the Missouri Secretary of State even if you are an individual.

Application Process(9)

•Branson STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification. Use the Branson Mapping System to ensure the property is in the city limits and not in an R-1 (Low Density) zone. Time: 1 day.
•Branson extended permit requirement: $150 for the mandatory Fire Safety Inspection (STR Permit) valid for 3 years

Fees & Costs(1)

•Branson charges a registration fee of $100 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $150 ($150 for the mandatory Fire Safety Inspection (STR Permit) valid for 3 years).

Taxes(4)

•Branson charges a Tourism Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO do NOT remit the 4% Branson Tourism Tax; hosts must pay this directly to the city.
•Missouri has a state sales tax of 4.225% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Branson enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Branson limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Branson occupancy calculation: Occupancy is determined during the fire safety inspection based on square footage and exits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(3)

•Branson requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency Safety Plan, Emergency Evacuation Map, Self-inspection checklist completion before official inspection.
•Branson: A separate business license and fire inspection is required for every individual address.

Penalties(2)

•Branson enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code section. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Potential license revocation. Daily fine: Fines accrue daily for ongoing violations. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Branson: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

Branson

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(3)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Branson

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 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 Branson?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Branson?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Branson?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Branson?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Branson?

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