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Springfield

Missouri · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Springfield Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax Rate5% hotel-motel tax extended to STRs by voter approval in April 2023. Missouri state sales tax also applies.
Minimum StayRental of a dwelling for fewer than 30 days constitutes an STR subject to regulation (City Code §36-473).
Permit FeeBusiness license fees based on gross receipts: $25/year (0–$10,000 gross receipts) up to $105/year ($200,000 gross receipts), plus $0.25 per $1,000 fo
PenaltiesUnregistered STRs are subject to enforcement action. Operating without a required license violates City Code §36-473. Density restrictions on Type 2 p
Primary Residence RequiredPartially — Type 1 STRs must be operator-occupied (primary residence or historic carriage house). Type 2 and Type 3 STRs may be non-operator-occupied
Occupancy LimitNo more than 3 unrelated persons in R-SF or R-TH zoning districts; no more than 4 unrelated persons in R-LD, R-MD, or R-HD zoning districts, per resid
Browse all 7 STR regulations in Missouri → Browse all 535 STR regulations in United States →

Springfield Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Springfield Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Springfield, Missouri 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 Business license fees based on gross receipts: $25/year (0–$10,000 gross receipts) up to $105/year (.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Springfield

Short-term rental operators in Springfield should be aware of these tax obligations: 5% hotel-motel tax extended to STRs by voter approval in April 2023. Missouri state sales tax also applies..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Springfield

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Springfield include: Primary residence requirement: Partially — Type 1 STRs must be operator-occupied (primary residence or historic carriage house). Type 2 and Type 3 STRs. Occupancy limit: No more than 3 unrelated persons in R-SF or R-TH zoning districts; no more than 4 unrelated persons in R-LD, R-MD, or R-. Minimum stay: Rental of a dwelling for fewer than 30 days constitutes an STR subject to regulation (City Code §36-473)..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Springfield

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Springfield: Type 1: Allowed in all zoning districts (operator-occupied). Type 2: Allowed in R-SF and R-TH districts (non-operator-occupied or owner-occupied rented >95 days/year while owner is absent). Type 3: Al. Density rules: Type 2 permits are subject to density restrictions; the permit requires a neighborhood meeting and written consent from at least 55% of adjacent prope.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Springfield

Hosts who fail to comply with Springfield's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Unregistered STRs are subject to enforcement action. Operating without a required license violates City Code §36-473. Density restrictions on Type 2 permits mean late applicants risk losing the abilit.

Platform Obligations in Springfield

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Springfield: Properties must be registered and licensed. City launched an online STR map (springfieldmo.gov/shorttermrentals) in May 2024 and uses new registration software for enforcement of unlicensed properties.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Business license fees based on gross receipts: $25/year (0–$10,000 gross receipts) up to $105/year ($200,000 gross receipts), plus $0.25 per $1,000 for receipts over $200,000. Type 2 special permit requires an initial fee of approximately $350.
Primary Residence Rule
Partially — Type 1 STRs must be operator-occupied (primary residence or historic carriage house). Type 2 and Type 3 STRs may be non-operator-occupied but are subject to additional permit and density requirements.
Occupancy Limit
No more than 3 unrelated persons in R-SF or R-TH zoning districts; no more than 4 unrelated persons in R-LD, R-MD, or R-HD zoning districts, per residential occupancy requirements in the Zoning Ordinance.
Tax Rate
5% hotel-motel tax extended to STRs by voter approval in April 2023. Missouri state sales tax also applies.
Zoning Restrictions
Type 1: Allowed in all zoning districts (operator-occupied). Type 2: Allowed in R-SF and R-TH districts (non-operator-occupied or owner-occupied rented >95 days/year while owner is absent). Type 3: Allowed in all districts except R-SF and R-TH (non-operator-occupied). STRs cannot be used solely for receptions, parties, weddings, or similar events.
Minimum Stay
Rental of a dwelling for fewer than 30 days constitutes an STR subject to regulation (City Code §36-473).
Density Rules
Type 2 permits are subject to density restrictions; the permit requires a neighborhood meeting and written consent from at least 55% of adjacent property owners. There is no overall cap on STR approvals, but density limits apply to non-owner-occupied properties.
Platform Obligations
Properties must be registered and licensed. City launched an online STR map (springfieldmo.gov/shorttermrentals) in May 2024 and uses new registration software for enforcement of unlicensed properties.
Compliance Notes
Both hosted (operator-occupied) and un-hosted (non-operator-occupied) STRs must be registered and licensed per City Code §36-473. The city legalized and regulated STRs in 2019. In April 2023, voters approved extending the 5% hotel-motel tax to STRs. As of 2024, the city significantly stepped up enforcement against unregistered STRs using new compliance software and launched a public STR map. Types 2 and 3 must also maintain a service agent business license. STRs cannot be operated primarily as event venues.
Effective Date
STR ordinance originally enacted 2019. Hotel-motel tax extension to STRs approved by voters April 2023. Increased enforcement commenced 2023–2024.
Key Notes
Three-tier STR classification system (Type 1, 2, 3) based on zoning district and owner-occupancy. Type 2 requires neighborhood consent (55% of adjacent owners). 5% hotel-motel tax applies. City operates an online public STR registry map. Licensing fees are gross-receipts-based ($25–$105/year). STRs may not be used as event venues.
Penalties
Unregistered STRs are subject to enforcement action. Operating without a required license violates City Code §36-473. Density restrictions on Type 2 permits mean late applicants risk losing the ability to operate entirely if the density cap has been reached in their neighborhood.
Additional Context
Springfield (pop. ~170,000) is the third-largest city in Missouri. The city has prioritized STR compliance since 2023, using new registration software to identify unlicensed properties and launching a public online map of registered STRs. The city's official STR page is at springfieldmo.gov/5968/Short-term-Rentals and the public STR map is at springfieldmo.gov/shorttermrentals.
Sources
City of Springfield MO Official STR Page: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5968/Short-term-Rentals
City Code §36-473
Springfield MO newsflash (STR applications online): https://www.springfieldmo.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6324
Springfield MO newsflash (Type 2 deadline): https://www.springfieldmo.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/6328
KSMU news on hotel-motel tax and STR map: https://www.ksmu.org/news/2024-05-13/springfield-launches-online-map-of-short-term-rental-properties
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Springfield?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Springfield with proper registration and permits. Both hosted (operator-occupied) and un-hosted (non-operator-occupied) STRs must be registered and licensed per City Code §36-473. The city legalized and regulated STRs in 2019. In April 2023, voters a

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Springfield?

Yes. Springfield requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Springfield?

Short-term rental hosts in Springfield are subject to the following tax obligations: 5% hotel-motel tax extended to STRs by voter approval in April 2023. Missouri state sales tax also applies..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Springfield?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Springfield may face enforcement. Unregistered STRs are subject to enforcement action. Operating without a required license violates City Code §36-473. Density restrictions on Type 2 permits mean late applicants risk losing the ability to operate entirely if the density cap has been .

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Springfield?

Three-tier STR classification system (Type 1, 2, 3) based on zoning district and owner-occupancy. Type 2 requires neighborhood consent (55% of adjacent owners). 5% hotel-motel tax applies. City operates an online public STR registry map. Licensing fees are gross-receipts-based ($25–$105/year). STRs may not be used as event venues.

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