Short-Term Rentals in Tulsa, OK

Tulsa maintains 146 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Tulsa falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Taxes & Fees

Tulsa charges short-term rental operators a $75 license fee plus an annual $300 compliance fee, and requires STRs to collect the city's 5% hotel occupancy tax like any other lodging business.

Key details: License fee: $75 per year. Compliance fee: $300 per year, separate. Hotel occupancy tax: 5% of gross rent. Filed with: City Finance Department. License expires: June 30 annually.

Operating without paying both STR fees is a misdemeanor: up to $250 for a first offense, up to $500 plus 90 days in city jail for repeat offenses, and possible license revocation for three compliance failures in a year.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Tulsa can revoke a short-term rental license after three non-compliance instances within twelve consecutive months, covering violations of licensing, nuisance, zoning, or hotel tax rules.

Key details: Strike threshold: 3+ non-compliance instances in 12 months. Revoking authority: Mayor or authorized representative. Appeal window: 10 days to City Council. State/federal violation: Allows immediate revocation. Criminal penalty: Up to $500 fine, 90 days jail.

First offense fine up to $250; second and later offenses up to $500 and up to 90 days in City jail, with each day a separate offense; license revocation on the third strike.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Tulsa actively enforces its repeat violator strikes requirements.

Occupancy Limits

Tulsa caps every licensed short-term rental at 8 guests at one time, whether the unit is a standalone rental or a room in someone's home.

Key details: Occupancy cap: 8 persons at any one time. Applies to: Both principal- and accessory-use STRs. Enforcement: License revocation after 3 violations/year. First-offense fine: Up to $250.

Exceeding 8 occupants is an instance of non-compliance that counts toward license revocation (3 instances in 12 months triggers revocation) and can also draw a Section 2606 penalty: up to $250 for a first offense, up to $500 plus up to 90 days in City jail for repeat offenses, with each day of violation a separate offense.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Tulsa requires operators to obtain a City-issued short-term rental license before renting, advertising, or offering any dwelling unit as a short-term rental, renewed annually by June 30.

Key details: Issuing agency: City Finance Department. License expires: June 30 annually. Annual fees: $75 license + $300 compliance. Occupancy cap: 8 persons at a time. Transferable: No: new license on sale.

Renting without a license is a criminal offense: up to $250 for a first offense, and up to $500 plus up to 90 days in City jail for repeat offenses, with each day counted as a separate violation. The City Attorney can also seek a court order to force the rental to stop, and three non-compliance instances in twelve months can trigger license revocation.

The Bottom Line

Tulsa's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Tulsa is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Tulsa's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.