Alma, Kansas Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Alma, KS?

Short-term rentals ARE permitted in Alma, Kansas and Wabaunsee County, but they require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Wabaunsee County Planning and Zoning Commission. This means that while short-term rentals are allowed as a land use, investors must go through a formal application and approval process before operating. The county has established specific regulations and conditions for short-term rental operations, particularly in the State Park area where many of these activities are concentrated.

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Alma hosts earn a median $20,731/year with $146 ADR and 53% occupancy.

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How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Alma, KS

Starting a short-term rental business in Alma requires following the county's formal Conditional Use Permit process:

Step 1: Pre-Application Research

Zoning Verification: Confirm your property is in a zone where short-term rentals are allowed as a conditional use
Property Location: The documents show activity in the Wabaunsee County State Park area, particularly around Cedar Circle and Lakeshore Drive

Step 2: Conditional Use Permit Application

Application Filing: Submit a CUP application to the Wabaunsee County Planning and Zoning Commission
Required Documentation: Prepare comprehensive documentation supporting your application
Notification Requirements: The county will provide written notification to all landowners within the prescribed distance as required by K.S.A. 12-757(b)

Step 3: Public Hearing Process

Planning Commission Hearing: The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on your application
Public Notice: The hearing will be properly noticed according to county regulations
Commission Decision: The Planning Commission will vote on the application and make a recommendation

Step 4: County Commission Approval

Board Review: The Wabaunsee County Board of County Commissioners reviews the Planning Commission's recommendation
Final Decision: The Board approves or denies the CUP application
Resolution: If approved, a formal resolution is adopted establishing the permit

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Requirements:

1. Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Application Form: Filed with Wabaunsee County Planning and Zoning Commission
Legal Basis: K.S.A. 12-757 and amendments
Processing Time: Based on meeting schedules (regular monthly meetings)

2. Liability Insurance Requirements

Minimum Coverage: $1,000,000 aggregate policy limits for liability
Ongoing Requirement: Must maintain current coverage and show proof upon request by Zoning Administrator

3. Operational Documentation

Guest Registry: Maintain comprehensive list of all individuals using the rental structure
- Name
- Address
- Phone information
- Dates and times of stay

4. Neighbor Relations

Contact Information: Provide all contiguous neighbors with your contact information
- Home or mobile phone number
- Designate a local point of contact who is a resident of the lake area
- Share this information with the Zoning Administrator upon request

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Wabaunsee County Requirements:

Property-Specific Guidelines

Based on the approved permits in the area, the following properties show examples of approved STR locations:

150 Cedar Circle, Alma, KS - Approved for The Wertzberger Family Trust
390 Lakeshore Dr, Alma, KS - Approved for Jessica Lynn Properties LLC

Operational Conditions:

Land Use Guidance: Provide renters with clear guidance on appropriate land usage and parking
Neighbor Relations: Ensure renters understand property boundaries to avoid trespassing
Regulatory Compliance: Abide by all State, County, Lake, or applicable City rules
Fire Safety Monitoring: Monitor burn bans and secure fire pits/areas when bans are in effect

Permit Duration:

Effective Period: CUPs are effective for two years from approval date
Renewal Process: Properties must renew permits (evidenced by Jessica Lynn Properties LLC renewal in 2025)

Enforcement:

Zoning Administrator Oversight: Josh Falk serves as Zoning Administrator
Public Process: Both Planning Commission and County Commission public meetings
Neighbor Complaints: Direct reporting to Zoning Administrator

State-Level Kansas Regulations:

K.S.A. 12-757: Governs conditional use permits for counties
Local Authority: Wabaunsee County has authority to regulate STRs through their zoning process
Public Hearing Requirements: Must follow K.S.A. 12-757 notification and hearing procedures

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact:

Wabaunsee County Planning and Zoning Commission

Zoning Administrator: Josh Falk
Secretary: Lynn Deever (as of June 26, 2025)
Address: Wabaunsee County Courthouse, Alma, KS 66401
Phone: Not specified in provided documents
Email: Not specified in provided documents

Additional Contacts:

Wabaunsee County Board of County Commissioners

Chairman: James W. MacGregor
Vice-Chair: Nancy L. Hier
Member: Boyd Ivan Davis
County Clerk: Abby Amick

Meeting Location:

Wabaunsee County Courthouse, Alma, Kansas
Public meetings held regularly with specific hearing times for permit applications

Links to Source Pages

Official Documents and Sources:

Wabaunsee County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes: kspublicnotices.newzgroup.com/KSLegals/2025/31750-2025-09-18_1001.pdf
CUP Application Public Notice: kansaspublicnotices.com/KSLegals/2025/31750-2025-07-03_1004.pdf
CUP Approval Resolution: kansaspublicnotices.com/KSLegals/2025/31750-2025-02-06_1004.pdf

Additional Resources:

Wabaunsee County Website: Contact county offices directly for current contact information and forms
Kansas Statutes: K.S.A. 12-757 for conditional use permit regulations
Planning Commission Secretary: Contact through Wabaunsee County Courthouse for current application forms

Important Notes for Investors:

Market Activity: The documents show active STR development in the Wabaunsee County State Park area, suggesting investor interest
Approval Timeline: From application to final approval appears to take several weeks to months based on meeting schedules
Neighbor Relations: Strong emphasis on maintaining good relationships with contiguous neighbors
Insurance Costs: Factor in the $1M liability insurance requirement into your business model
Seasonal Considerations: Consider burn ban restrictions when planning operations, particularly during high-risk fire periods

This regulatory framework provides a clear path for legitimate short-term rental operations while ensuring community input and neighbor protection.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Alma

Alma is a small city in Wabaunsee County, in the Flint Hills region of east-central Kansas, with a population of roughly 800 residents. The town carries the unofficial title of the "City of Native Stone" because of its well-preserved 19th-century limestone architecture, much of it built from the very Flint Hills outcrops that surround it. With its quiet streets, historic courthouse square, and pastoral setting, Alma offers the unhurried rhythm of a rural county seat while still functioning as a base for visitors exploring the surrounding prairie. It sits about 35 miles west of Topeka, the nearest major city and Kansas's state capital, and roughly 130 miles west of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Downtown Alma is a destination in its own right for travelers interested in 19th-century Kansas history. A walk around the courthouse square reveals a striking collection of buildings constructed from locally quarried limestone, including homes, churches, and commercial storefronts that date to the late 1800s. The Wabaunsee County Historical Society maintains a museum complex in town that interprets pioneer life, the cattle trade, and the stone-building tradition of the region, giving visitors a focused introduction to the area's heritage. The historic core is compact and walkable, making it easy to pair a visit with a meal at one of the local cafés.

Just beyond the city limits, the Flint Hills stretch out in every direction, the largest remaining stand of tallgrass prairie in North America. Travelers can drive the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, which winds through the rolling grasslands south and west of Alma, offering sweeping vistas, spring wildflower blooms, and reliable wildlife viewing. Working ranches and prairie preserves dot the landscape, and several pull-offs and short trails allow visitors to experience the ecosystem up close. The drive into the heart of the hills from Alma takes only minutes, and the byway can easily fill a full day of exploration.

A short drive north of town brings visitors to Lake Wabaunsee, a small reservoir set among wooded bluffs that is popular for fishing, kayaking, and shoreline picnicking. With cabins and camping nearby, it offers an accessible outdoor complement to the prairie scenery, and it is close enough to Alma to make for a relaxed afternoon excursion.

Alma is a compelling base for short-term rentals precisely because it sits at the intersection of small-town heritage and one of the country's most distinctive natural landscapes. Guests can spend their days wandering a limestone-lined downtown, photographing the wide-open Flint Hills, and unwinding by the water at Lake Wabaunsee, then return to a quiet residential street in a community that feels far removed from the pace of the state's larger cities. For travelers seeking an authentic slice of rural Kansas paired with dramatic scenery, Alma delivers a surprisingly rich experience.

Alma, Kansas

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Alma, Kansas