| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Rental income subject to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations. Residential rental income tax: 7.5% (monthly gross rent, monthly installment tax f |
| Night / Day Cap | None identified — Kenya has no annual night cap on STR activity. |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay requirement. STRs are generally defined as furnished accommodations rented for periods typically from one night up to several months ( |
| Permit Fee | Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (KTRA): Application fee KES 1,000 (first-time). Annual license for a serviced apartment: KES 26,000. Single Busines |
| Penalties | Penalties for operating without a KTRA license under the Tourism Act (No. 28 of 2011). Tax penalties under the Kenya Tax Procedures Act for income non |
| Primary Residence Required | No statutory primary residence requirement identified for STR operators in Kenya. |
| Occupancy Limit | Not specifically legislated for STR; subject to physical capacity of the property and local planning standards. |
Short-term rental operations in Mombasa are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (KTRA): Application fee KES 1,000 (first-time). Annual license fo.
Short-term rental operators in Mombasa should be aware of these tax obligations: Rental income subject to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations. Residential rental income tax: 7.5% (monthly gross rent, monthly installment tax for residential). Commercial/furnished apartment rental income subject to standard corporate/individu.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Mombasa include: Primary residence requirement: No statutory primary residence requirement identified for STR operators in Kenya.. Rental day cap: None identified — Kenya has no annual night cap on STR activity.. Occupancy limit: Not specifically legislated for STR; subject to physical capacity of the property and local planning standards.. Minimum stay: No minimum stay requirement. STRs are generally defined as furnished accommodations rented for periods typically from on.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Mombasa: Zoning restrictions may apply in Mombasa County's residential areas; future discussions around zoning for STRs in residential zones are anticipated. No active comprehensive zoning ban on STRs as of 20. Density rules: No density rules identified for Mombasa STR operations as of July 2026.. Insurance: Not explicitly mandated by law. Advisable for liability coverage; may be required under KTRA licensi.
Hosts who fail to comply with Mombasa's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Penalties for operating without a KTRA license under the Tourism Act (No. 28 of 2011). Tax penalties under the Kenya Tax Procedures Act for income non-declaration. Specific STR fine amounts: not publi.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Mombasa: No specific platform obligations published under Kenyan law. The Kenya Tourism Act requires STR operators to be registered with the KTRA; platforms are not currently compelled by law to verify host re.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Mombasa with proper registration and permits. All STR operators in Kenya (including Mombasa) must register with the Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (KTRA) and obtain the relevant facility license (serviced apartment, holiday home, etc.). A Sin
Yes. Mombasa requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Mombasa are subject to the following tax obligations: Rental income subject to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations. Residential rental income tax: 7.5% (monthly gross rent, monthly installment tax for residential). Commercial/furnished apartment rental income subject to standard corporate/individual income tax rates. VAT (16%) if annual turnover .
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Mombasa may face enforcement. Penalties for operating without a KTRA license under the Tourism Act (No. 28 of 2011). Tax penalties under the Kenya Tax Procedures Act for income non-declaration. Specific STR fine amounts: not published in available sources..
Mombasa is a high-growth STR market: 3,935 active listings as of June 2026, with revenue up 36.4% and active listings up 21.9% year-on-year (June 2025–June 2026). The market scores 91/100 on AirDNA's Market Score. Despite formal licensing requirements, enforcement is currently limited, resulting in a largely informal market. The Tourism Act and KTRA framework provide the legal basis for licensing
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