Wichita, KS Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Chapter 3.40 was created by Ordinance 52-265, adopted by the Wichita City Council on September 12, 2023, and applies citywide to any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Each separate dwelling unit operated as an STR requires its own annual license, with the $225 fee payable upon application and at renewal; revenue is dedicated to administering and enforcing the chapter. Applications are filed through the City's Express Office in the Finance Department and must include proof of general liability coverage of at least $250,000 per STR unit, the unit's address, the operator's name and contact information, a 24/7 local responsible-party contact, and the property's maximum occupancy. The license expires one year after issuance and must be renewed annually. Wichita layers a zoning track on top of licensing through its Unified Zoning Code (amended September 22, 2023): owner-occupied STRs may operate by right in most residential districts once the operator provides two documents proving full-time residency (Kansas driver's license, voter registration, utility bills, etc.); non-owner-occupied STRs require an Administrative Permit from the Planning Department before the license will be issued, giving the City discretion to review compatibility with surrounding uses. Owner-occupied operators had until March 12, 2024 to come into compliance; non-owner-occupied operators had until September 22, 2024. The Planning Department's Zoning Enforcement Division handles complaints (24/7 line 316-844-1412) and inspections; documented violations must be cured before a license will be renewed.