Saint Joseph, Missouri

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Buchanan County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredTax: 4.225%Owner Occupancy Required
County-level data: No city-specific ordinance found. Showing regulations for Buchanan County which apply to this area.
14 nights/yrAnnual Cap
4.225%Tax Rate
129 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredYes
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Max Nights Per Year14 nights
Density / Distance Cap129 ft
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOT4.225%

Zoning Restrictions

  • A0
  • A0E
  • A24E
  • A2J
  • A5
  • A6
  • A656DEC
  • A6C46
  • A6CE
  • A6CEJ
  • A6D
  • A92D
  • C1
  • C2E
  • C2E6
  • C2E96C
  • C46
  • C5
  • C6
  • C625
  • C64
  • C64E
  • C64E65
  • C656G6
  • C67
  • C68
  • C6AC6D6
  • C6BF6DE
  • C6D
  • C6DEC
  • C6G
  • C7
  • C86
  • C9
  • F12
  • F17
  • F2
  • F24
  • F2CJ
  • F36
  • F6
  • F7
  • F89
  • F89E
  • I3
  • I38
  • I57
  • I6
  • I65
  • M0K
  • M2
  • M3
  • M4
  • M9
  • R4
  • R6
  • S1
  • S2
  • S3
  • S72
  • mixed-use districts
  • residential areas
  • residential zones
  • tourist zones

Official Sources

heraldpalladium.com/communities/buchanan/buchanan-approves-new-short-term-rental-ordinance/article_224cca1b-0e36-574b-ac16-8fa3c5e4e985.htmllibrary.municode.com/mo/kansas_city/codes/zoning_and_development_code?nodeId=ZODECOKAMI_300_SERIESUSRE_88-321SHTERERE_88-321-01APlibrary.municode.com/mo/st._louis_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITVIIIOCBULI_CH825REREPRLICO_825.600APPRMACOcomo.gov/featured/short-term-rental-regulations/house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills161/billpdf/intro/HB2662I.PDFredawning.com/pm/post/missouri-short-term-rental-lawshometeamluxuryrentals.com/blog/missouri-short-term-rental-regulations
Data confidence: 70%Last updated: May 20, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Saint Joseph, Missouri

Saint Joseph, Missouri has no separate city ordinance, so Buchanan County rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit. The property must be owner-occupied. A lodging/occupancy tax of 4.225% applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Saint Joseph, Missouri?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Saint Joseph?

A short-term rental permit is required.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Saint Joseph?

Short-term rentals in Saint Joseph are subject to a lodging/occupancy tax of 4.225%.

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in Saint Joseph?

Yes — Saint Joseph sets a cap of 14 rental nights per year.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, or Missouri authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.