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  1. Home
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  5. Missouri
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  7. Lee Summit

Lee Summit

Moderate
MissouriUpdated Apr 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

Short-term rentals in Lee's Summit are permitted only within the Old Town Master Development Plan area or on parcels larger than one acre, requiring a business license and on-site or adjacent residency by the owner or a representative.

Restriction level

Severity 18
Classification
Moderate
18
Severity

Why this classification

  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental, your property must either be in the Old Town area or on at least one acre of land. You or a local manager must live on the property or next door, and you are limited to renting out a maximum of two rooms to no more than four unrelated guests. A city business license and compliance with safety codes are required.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$50
Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Strict geography: Only Old Town or 1+ acre parcels allowed.
  2. 2Max 2 rooms: You cannot rent out an entire large house if it has more than 2 sleeping rooms for STR use.
  3. 3On-site manager required: Owner or rep must live on or next to the property.
  4. 4No ADUs: STRs are prohibited in basement apartments or guest houses that qualify as ADUs.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility8 rules
  • Lee Summit prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Accessory structure, Multi-family (3+ units).
  • Lee Summit: No ADUs: STRs are prohibited in basement apartments or guest houses that qualify as ADUs.
  • Lee Summit does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Requirements12 rules
  • Lee Summit: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Application process8 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Lee Summit: Step 1: Verify Property Location and Zoning - Confirm the property is within the Old Town Master Development Plan area or occupies a parcel greater than one acre. Check the City Zoning Map. Documents needed: Property address, Parcel size information. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.cityofls.net/development-services/maps-plans Step 2: Appoint Local Representative - If the owner does not live on-site or adjacent, a local representative must occupy a dwelling unit on the same or adjacent parcel. Documents needed: Proof of residency for representative. Estimated time: Ongoing. Step 3: Apply for City Business License - Submit a business license application to the Finance Department. This serves as the primary registration for the STR. Documents needed: Completed application form, State tax ID number, Certificate of No Tax Due from MO Dept of Revenue. Estimated time: 14-21 days. Cost: 50. More info: https://www.cityofls.net/finance/business-contractor-licensing Step 4: Pass Life Safety Inspection - Ensure the property meets building and fire codes, including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. An inspection may be scheduled by Development Services. Documents needed: Self-certification checklist. Estimated time: 1 week.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Lee Summit charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).
Taxes2 rules
  • Lee Summit charges a Business & Industry Tax (Transient Guest Tax) of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Note: Hosts are typically responsible for remitting the 5% Business & Industry tax directly to the City Finance Department.
  • Missouri has a state sales tax of 0.04225% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions4 rules
  • Lee Summit occupancy calculation: Maximum of four unrelated guests or one family. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Lee Summit limits STRs to a maximum of 4 guests. Formula: Maximum of four unrelated guests or one family
  • Lee Summit enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • Lee Summit limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Lee Summit requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing exits, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms.
Penalties2 rules
  • Lee Summit: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Lee Summit enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code violation. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Potential permit revocation. Daily fine: $100-$500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Lee Summit exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Licensed hotels and motels.
  • Lee Summit: 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 Lee Summit

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Property Location and Zoning

Confirm the property is within the Old Town Master Development Plan area or occupies a parcel greater than one acre. Check the City Zoning Map.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Property address
  • Parcel size information
Official resource
Step 2

Appoint Local Representative

If the owner does not live on-site or adjacent, a local representative must occupy a dwelling unit on the same or adjacent parcel.

OngoingFree
Documents needed
  • Proof of residency for representative
Step 3

Apply for City Business License

Submit a business license application to the Finance Department. This serves as the primary registration for the STR.

14-21 days$50
Documents needed
  • Completed application form
  • State tax ID number
  • Certificate of No Tax Due from MO Dept of Revenue
Official resource
Step 4

Pass Life Safety Inspection

Ensure the property meets building and fire codes, including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. An inspection may be scheduled by Development Services.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Self-certification checklist

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

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