Wichita, KS Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Wichita, KS, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Annual license fee
- $225 per rental unit
- Liability insurance
- $250,000 minimum per unit
- Covered stays
- 28 days or less
- License term
- 1 year, non-transferable
- Issuing office
- Wichita City Licensing Department
Summary
Wichita requires every short-term rental owner to obtain an annual $225 city license before renting a dwelling unit for stays of 28 days or less, with a separate license required for each unit.
It shall be unlawful for any Owner or Responsible Party to operate, rent, own maintain, or otherwise permit or allow any Short-Term Rental without a valid License issued by the City's Licensing Department in accordance with this Chapter upon the payment of a license fee. The annual license fee for Short-Term Rentals is $225.00. A separate license is required for each dwelling unit or structure utilized as a Short-Term Rental.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
The City of Wichita Licensing Department issues Short-Term Rental licenses under Municipal Code Chapter 3.40, covering residential dwellings rented to guests for 28 days or less (the Airbnb/VRBO category). Owners pay a $225 annual fee, carry $250,000 liability insurance per unit, submit a scaled floor plan, and file notarized statements confirming tax and code compliance. The license number must appear on every advertisement and booking listing. Licenses expire after one year and are not transferable to a new owner or location.
Violations & Fines
Operating or advertising an unlicensed short-term rental is unlawful. After a compliance-period notice expires uncorrected, violators face a misdemeanor charge, a fine up to $500, and up to six months in jail; each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to rent my Wichita home on Airbnb?
How much does a Wichita short-term rental license cost?
Can I rent out a second home in Wichita short-term?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita
How Wichita compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Wichita to another location·View the Kansas short-term rentals overview
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