Saint Joseph, Missouri Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Note on currency: The primary ordinance and news references provided are current through June 2022 and March 2024, respectively. Verify any fee schedules, application portals, or contact details with the City prior to filing, as those can change.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in St. Joseph, MO?

Yes, with explicit requirements. The City Council approved an amendment to the St. Joseph Code of Ordinances to regulate short‑term rentals (STRs), defined as rentals of less than 30 days. The ordinance requires an annual business license, property inspections for life safety, zoning compliance, and compliance with all applicable taxes. The changes were adopted in March 2024 and took effect on July 1, 2024.

How to Start an STR Business in St. Joseph

Confirm zoning eligibility:
- STRs are permitted in all residential zoning districts (R‑1SH, R‑1A, R‑1B, R‑2, R‑3, R‑4, R‑5).
- STRs are allowed in commercially zoned districts (C‑0, C‑1, C‑2, C‑3) only with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP); manufacturing districts (M‑1 and M‑2) are prohibited.
- See the District Use Table and CUP procedures in Chapter 31 (Zoning) for detail.
Obtain an annual business license:
- The City requires an annual business license for each STR unit. This is a new requirement enacted in 2024 and effective July 1.
- The license application and inspection scheduling process will be managed by the City’s Planning and Community Development department.
Complete required inspections:
- STR units must be inspected to ensure life safety compliance. The City has indicated this is to protect the public and ensure properties meet code.
Tax compliance:
- Tax remittance is primarily handled via host platforms (e.g., Airbnb) that calculate and remit taxes to the City. Property owners can opt out of state‑withheld taxes if they will remit local taxes directly. Confirm the local lodging or hospitality tax rate with the City Finance/Tax Office.
Ongoing compliance:
- Renew the annual business license, pass periodic inspections if required, maintain zoning conformance, and remit all applicable taxes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

License:
- Annual STR business license (municipal; contact the City for the current application).
Zoning and Permitting:
- For commercially zoned STRs, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required (Chapter 31, Division 4).
Inspections:
- Safety inspection required to obtain and maintain the STR license; scope to be confirmed with City (likely covering building, fire/life safety).
Taxes:
- Compliance with state and local lodging/hospitality taxes; platforms commonly remit. If opting out of state‑withheld taxes, ensure local tax remittance is arranged.
Reference Codes:
- Chapter 31 (Zoning) contains definitions, permitted uses, CUP procedures, and the District Use Table (Section 31‑048). STRs are defined in Section 31‑010(a)(129) as rentals for less than 30 days.
- Amendments to the zoning and licensing framework were approved by Council in March 2024 (effective July 1, 2024).

Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

City (St. Joseph):
- STRs are rentals for less than 30 days.
- STRs are allowed in all residential zoning districts by right.
- STRs are allowed in commercially zoned districts only via CUP; not allowed in manufacturing districts.
- Annual business license is required; properties must pass a life safety inspection.
- STRs must comply with state and local tax obligations; most platforms remit.
- The City indicated outreach to existing STR owners and enforcement of the new licensing and inspection requirements.
Buchanan County:
- The provided sources are city‑focused. If the STR unit lies in unincorporated Buchanan County, additional county regulations may apply. Contact Buchanan County government for any county‑level requirements.
State of Missouri:
- Obtain a Missouri sales tax license (if remitting sales/lodging taxes directly rather than through a platform).
- State lodging/hospitality tax obligations apply; many platforms collect and remit on behalf of hosts.
- State building, fire, and housing codes govern life safety; the City inspection requirement mirrors this.

Local Authority Contacts

City of St. Joseph – Planning and Community Development (Licensing, Zoning, Inspections, CUPs)
- Phone: 816-236-1440
- Address: 1100 Frederick Ave, St. Joseph, MO 64501
- Website: www.stjosephmo.gov
City Clerk’s Office (Business License Records/Procedures)
- Phone: 816-271-5330
Finance/Tax Office (Tax Rates and Remittance)
- Phone: 816-271-5322
Municipal Court (Violations/Code Enforcement)
- Phone: 816-271-4755

Source Links

News-Press NOW: “Short-term rentals in St. Joseph will soon face new regulations” (March 31, 2024): www.newspressnow.com/news/government/2024/03/31/short-term-rentals-in-st-joseph-will-soon-face-new-regulations/
City of St. Joseph Code of Ordinances, Chapter 31 (Zoning), effective June 1, 2022: www.stjosephmo.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/78

Practical Notes for Investors

Treat the licensing and inspection requirements as gating items before listing. Build lead time into acquisition and opening schedules.
Where zoning is non‑conforming, consider a CUP strategy only in eligible commercial districts; manufacturing districts are off‑limits.
Confirm tax remittance mechanics with your platform and the City; opt‑out decisions have compliance and cash‑flow implications.
Maintain documentation (license, inspection reports, CUP, tax records) in an organized compliance file; this will streamline renewals and reduce enforcement risk.

This guide reflects the ordinances and announcements available from the City and local news as of the dates noted above. Before acting, confirm current fees, forms, and inspection scope with the City of St. Joseph Planning and Community Development department.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Saint Joseph?

Saint Joseph hosts earn a median $20,743/year with $110 ADR and 69% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $28,246+ per year.

See the full Saint Joseph market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph sits in the northwestern corner of Missouri, serving as the seat of Buchanan County. With a population of approximately 75,000 residents, it ranks among the larger cities in this part of the state, carrying the feel of a Midwestern river town with deep historical roots. The community is best known for its role in 19th-century American history, particularly as the eastern starting point of the Pony Express and the place where the outlaw Jesse James met his end. Located roughly 50 miles north of Kansas City along Interstate 29, Saint Joseph functions as a convenient base for travelers exploring the Missouri River valley, the rolling farmland of northwest Missouri, and the broader Kansas City metropolitan region.

The Pony Express National Museum anchors the historic downtown along the riverfront, occupying the original stables where riders and horses departed on the legendary mail route in 1860. The museum tells the story of the short-lived but iconic service that once connected Missouri to California, and it sits within walking distance of other restored 19th-century buildings in the city center, making the downtown core a natural anchor for walking tours.

A short drive east of town, the Jesse James Farm and Museum marks the homestead where the famous outlaw was shot and killed in 1882. The restored 1820s-era farmhouse and surrounding property offer visitors a grounded look at the rural Missouri backdrop of the James-Younger gang era and continue to draw history enthusiasts and motorcycle riders traveling the broader outlaw trail.

The city's historic district, including landmarks such as the Patee House and the Robidoux Row Museum, provides a walkable introduction to antebellum and Victorian-era architecture. Outdoor recreation is also within easy reach: Krug Park offers wooded walking trails and a small lagoon in the heart of the city, while the Missouri River shoreline and the surrounding bottomlands support fishing, birdwatching, and quiet cycling.

For short-term rental owners, Saint Joseph combines affordable real estate with a steady mix of demand drivers. Its proximity to Kansas City pulls in visitors attending concerts, sporting events, and conferences who prefer smaller-town lodging, while the city's own cluster of historical attractions brings heritage tourists, school groups, and Route 66 travelers, as the original alignment of the highway once passed through the area. The combination of river-town character, named landmarks, and convenient interstate access gives the city a year-round draw that rewards both leisure and event-driven stays.