Short-term rental permit rules in Johnson County, KS — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Kansas has no statewide STR preemption. On March 12, 2026, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners adopted new short-term rental regulations for unincorporated areas, effective April 1, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Operators must obtain an annual STR permit from the Planning Department for $150, designate a 24/7 local representative, provide off-street parking, and limit guests to two per bedroom plus two additional. Quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily; parties and large gatherings are prohibited. Cities such as Olathe, Overland Park, and Lenexa administer their own STR rules.
Authority: K.S.A. 19-2901 et seq. (county zoning). The new County rules apply only to short-term rentals in unincorporated Johnson County (rentals of less than 30 consecutive days). Permit fee is $150 and the permit is valid for one year. Operator obligations include: designating a local representative who is reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week during any rental period; providing adequate off-street parking outside the roadway; limiting occupancy to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests; observing quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily; prohibiting parties or large gatherings; and providing adequate trash disposal. Short-term rentals are permitted in accessory dwelling units that already comply with Article 18, Section 7(D). Enforcement is complaint-based through Planning's Code Enforcement office (913-715-2205). STR operators must also collect Kansas state and local sales/transient guest tax. Inside incorporated cities, the County rules do not apply: Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa, Shawnee, and other Johnson County municipalities each maintain their own STR ordinances and licensing requirements, which generally include city business or STR permits and zoning compliance.
Operating an STR without the required Johnson County permit, or violating the occupancy, parking, quiet-hours, or local-representative conditions, is a zoning violation enforced by the Planning Department. Code Enforcement may issue notices of violation and pursue permit revocation; unresolved violations are referred to the County Counselor for civil enforcement, including injunctive relief. Each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate offense. STR rules adopted by individual cities (Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa, etc.) carry their own city-ordinance penalties.
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