Short-Term Rentals in Independence, MO (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Independence, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Every short-term rental in Independence must hold an occupation license under Chapter 5, Article 1 of the City Code before it can operate, and that license number has to appear on every advertisement and booking-platform listing. The Unified Development Ordinance also restricts where a short-term rental can locate and layers on a full application and public-hearing review process.
Independence Short-Term Rental License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance §§ 14-424-02, 14-424-03, 14-424-22, 14-424-23
14-424-02. Only properties, as authorized under Section 14-300 and Section 14-301 and this chapter, shall be eligible for a short-term rental. Short-term rentals are not permitted in detached accessory dwelling units unless specified elsewhere in this chapter. In residential districts, short-term rentals shall only be allowed in single family dwelling and duplex dwelling units. In other zoning ...
Noise Rules
Independence requires every short-term rental to maintain a noise management plan with a continuously running noise monitoring device while the property is rented, post quiet hours and noise-ordinance penalties inside the unit, and bans large gatherings like weddings and parties from the rental entirely.
Independence STR Noise Management Plan Rule
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance §§ 14-424-10, 14-424-16, 14-424-17, 14-424-22
14-424-17. All short-term rentals shall maintain a noise management plan. The noise management plan must include the continuous operation of noise monitoring device(s) while the registered property is rented. The on-site posting of the quiet hours and the penalties for violating the City of Independence noise ordinance shall be posted in a prominent location inside the short-term rental. 14-424...
Taxes & Fees
Short-term rental operators in Independence must collect and remit the City's 6.5% transient guest tax on the gross daily rent charged to guests, on top of the occupation license fee, and must have a tax-collection agreement in place with every booking platform before listing a property.
Independence Short-Term Rental Guest Tax
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-424-04; Independence City Code §§ 5.03.003-5.03.005
A. All short-term rentals shall comply with the requirements of Article 3, Chapter 5 of the City Code of Independence, Missouri. B. The short-term rental applicant shall present evidence to the City that the City has a voluntary collection agreement in place with any web platform upon which the property will be listed for rental. In the event the City does not have such voluntary collection agr...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Independence requires every short-term rental to provide off-street parking under the citywide ratios of UDO Section 14-501-05, with a credit of one space for every 18 feet of lot frontage. Required spaces must sit on an approved hard surface; parking on grass, dirt or gravel is expressly banned under Section 14-424-18.
Independence STR Off-Street Parking Rule
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-424-18
Off street parking shall be provided in accordance with Section 14-501-05. A credit of one space for every 18 feet of lot frontage may be applied to the off-street parking requirement. All parking required for the short-term rental shall be on an approved driveway and adjoining asphalt/concrete pads, or other designated, approved parking areas. Parking on other than asphalt, concrete, paver sto...
Occupancy Limits
Independence caps every short-term rental at ten total occupants and no more than two guests per bedroom, excluding children five and under, and limits the unit to four or fewer guest bedrooms. A single booking party is the only party allowed in the unit at a time under the Unified Development Ordinance.
Independence Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limit
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance §§ 14-424-06, 14-424-07, 14-424-08, 14-424-11
14-424-07. No more than two guests, excluding children five years old and under, per bedroom are permitted per guest stay. The total maximum occupancy of ten occupants, which includes adults and children. 14-424-08. The short-term rental shall contain four or fewer guestrooms for occupancy. 14-424-11. A short-term rental shall not be rented to more than one booking party at a time.
Insurance Requirements
Independence requires every short-term rental operator to carry at least $1,000,000.00 in aggregate liability insurance covering the rental use, or to book exclusively through a platform whose built-in coverage meets or exceeds that amount, under the Unified Development Ordinance's short-term rental licensing standards.
Independence Short-Term Rental Insurance Rule
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance §§ 14-424-03, 14-424-14, 14-424-15, 14-424-25
14-424-14. Insurance requirement. Short-term rental operators shall maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the short-term rental use in the aggregate of not less than $1,000,000.00 or conduct each short-term rental transaction through a platform that provides equal or greater insurance coverage.
Host Presence Rule
Independence bars short-term rental operators from living in the unit while it's rented out to guests, and requires every rental to instead have a Responsible Agent on call around the clock within an hour's drive of the city to respond to problems.
Independence Short-Term Rental Host Presence Rule
Some RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance §§ 14-424-09, 14-424-12, 14-424-16
14-424-12. A short-term rental operator shall not live in the short-term rental unit when the unit is rented. 14-424-09. A. Each owner of a short-term rental property shall designate a person or company to serve as a Responsible Agent. An owner of a short-term rental may designate himself/herself as the Responsible Agent. The Responsible Agent shall be located within an hour's drive of Independ...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Independence can revoke a short-term rental license after an operator is cited for two or more offenses in a three-month period, one of four triggers under UDO Section 14-424-25-B. The Community Development Director opens revocation proceedings, a Planning Commission hearing follows, and the City Council issues the final, binding decision.
Independence STR Repeat Violator Revocation
Significant RestrictionsIndependence Unified Development Ordinance § 14-424-25-B
A short-term rental granted pursuant to this Chapter may be revoked by the City following a hearing for any violation of the City Code or violation of this chapter. The Community Development Director shall commence the revocation proceedings if any of the following occur:1.The short-term rental operator has been cited for two or more offense in a three month period.2.A short-term rental operato...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Independence city rules.
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