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Tulsa, OK Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

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

Summary

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.

Short-term rental (principal use). A dwelling unit which is not the primary residence of a household, in which temporary lodging in all or part of the dwelling unit is offered for compensation, limited to a maximum occupancy of eight (8) persons at any one time.

Source: City of Tulsa Short-Term Rental InformationView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Tulsa Revised Ordinances Title 21, Chapter 26, a short-term rental (principal use, meaning not the operator's primary residence) is defined as a dwelling unit offering temporary lodging "limited to a maximum occupancy of eight (8) persons at any one time." The accessory-use version (a room or unit in the operator's own home) carries the same 8-person cap, counting the resident household if present. Section 2603 restates the limit as an operator duty: the operator must ensure the rental "does not exceed a maximum occupancy of eight (8) persons at any one time" regardless of whether it's principal, accessory, or a mix of both. The cap applies on top of the separate licensing requirement in Section 2601.

Violations & Fines

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 8-person cap include the host's own family if they're home?
Yes. For an accessory-use rental where the operator still lives there, the 8-person maximum includes the dwelling's own residents if present at the time.
Is a Tulsa bed and breakfast subject to the same cap?
No. Section 2601(D) exempts bed and breakfasts, which are a separate zoning use category, from the short-term rental license and its occupancy limit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tulsa

All Tulsa rules

Compare Tulsa to another location·View the Oklahoma short-term rentals overview

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Occupancy Limits in Nearby Cities

How other cities in this county handle occupancy limits.

Broken Arrow, OK
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