This guide synthesizes the provided city documents to deliver a complete compliance roadmap for short-term rental (STR) investors in Warrensburg, Missouri. It is designed to be a primary reference for licensing, zoning, and operational requirements.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Warrensburg, MO?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Warrensburg, Missouri. However, their operation is regulated. These regulations are contained within two key city ordinances:

• Ordinance No. 5825 (Chapter 27 - Zoning): Establishes the zoning districts where Bed & Breakfast Inns and Short-Term Rentals are permitted and sets performance standards for their operation.
• Ordinance No. 5826 (Chapter 22 - Licensing): Requires a business license, annual inspection, and adherence to specific life-safety standards for all Bed & Breakfast Inns and Short-Term Rentals within the city limits.

This framework ensures that STRs can operate as a legitimate business while maintaining neighborhood character and public safety.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Warrensburg, MO

Follow these steps to legally establish and operate an STR in Warrensburg:

1. Confirm Zoning Compliance: Before any other steps, verify that your property is located in a zoning district that permits Bed & Breakfast Inns or Short-Term Rentals. See the "City Zoning Regulations" section below for specific allowances.
2. Obtain a Business License: You must apply for and receive a business license from the City of Warrensburg. This license is mandatory for each individual lot containing an STR.
3. Schedule and Pass an Annual Inspection: All properties must successfully complete an annual inspection to obtain and renew the license. The inspection verifies compliance with specific life-safety standards.
4. Ensure Operational Compliance: Your STR must adhere to all performance standards, including restrictions on events, signage, and maintaining the residential appearance of the property.
5. Pay the Annual License Fee: The fee is $125 per year, per licensed property. This fee covers the cost of the initial inspection and one follow-up inspection if needed.

Timeline for Existing Operations: Any STR operating as of December 11, 2023, has until June 1, 2025 to obtain a license and pass an inspection. New STRs must obtain a license before commencing operations.

Important: An educational meeting about the new program was held on October 16, 2024. For future updates, monitor the city's official channels.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The City of Warrensburg requires the following for a business license:

• Business License Application: Submitted to the City.
• Proof of No Delinquent Taxes: Documentation showing the applicant has no delinquent real property, personal property, state or local sales taxes, or local lodging taxes.
• Refuse Collection Service Contract: Evidence that regular and sufficient trash collection service has been contracted for the premises.
• Successful Completion of Annual Inspection: The property must pass inspection according to the standards outlined in the ordinance.

Annual Inspection Checklist (Chapter 22, Section 22-81(c)):

The inspection verifies compliance with the following life-safety requirements:

1. Local Contact Information: Posted in each guest room or dwelling unit.
2. Escape Route Map: Posted in each guest room or dwelling unit.
3. Smoke Detectors: Located on each habitable floor, inside each sleeping room, and immediately outside each sleeping area.
4. Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Required where the STR has an attached garage opening directly into the dwelling or contains any fuel-burning appliance. Detectors must be located outside each separate sleeping area.
5. Fire Extinguisher: Each dwelling unit must have a minimum of one 2A:10BC fire extinguisher.
6. Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening: For dwelling units constructed after December 31, 1984 (or with a certificate of occupancy issued after that date), at least one window in each sleeping room must serve as an emergency escape and rescue opening, opening directly to a public way.
7. Fuel-Fired Appliances: Must be provided with adequate combustion air and are prohibited in sleeping rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, and storage closets.
8. Garage Door: Doors from an attached garage opening directly into the STR must be equipped with an automatic closing device.
9. Building Systems Compliance: Compliance with the city's adopted building code, fire code, and other development codes for structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
10. Property Maintenance Compliance: Compliance with the city's Property Maintenance Code, Garbage and Trash, Nuisances, Vegetation, and Zoning codes.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

This section details the specific regulations at the city, county, and state level, based on the provided content.

City of Warrensburg Regulations

Definitions:

• Bed and Breakfast Inn: A private, owner- or manager-occupied establishment offering overnight accommodation for 29 days or less to transient guests for a fee. It may provide shared living space and meals.
• Short-Term Rental: The rental of a dwelling unit in a residential or mixed-use structure where the owner is not residing on the premises during occupancy for 29 days or less.

Zoning Allowances (Chapter 27, Section 27-200):

| Zoning District | Bed & Breakfast Inn / Short-Term Rental | | :--- | :--- | | R1 (Single-Family Residential) | Conditional Use Permit (C) | | R2 (Low-Density Residential) | Allowed by Right (Z) | | R3 (Medium-Density Residential) | Allowed by Right (Z) | | R4 (High-Density Residential) | Allowed by Right (Z) | | RMH (Mobile Home Residential) | Not Permitted (Blank) | | BO (Business Office) | Allowed by Right (Z) | | NB (Neighborhood Business) | Not Permitted (Blank) | | CB (Central Business District) | Allowed by Right (Z) | | GB (General Business District) | Allowed by Right (Z) | | LI (Light Industrial) | Not Permitted (Blank) | | HI (Heavy Industrial) | Not Permitted (Blank) |

Performance Standards (Chapter 27, Section 27-234):

• Must be located in the existing primary structure; accessory structures cannot be used for sleeping or accommodation.
• STRs cannot be rented solely for receptions, parties, weddings, or similar events.
• In residential districts, no alterations can be made to the principal building that change its character or appearance to be inconsistent with surrounding dwellings.
• Signage:
  • Bed & Breakfast Inn: One sign is allowed in residential districts. It must be flat against the building, non-illuminated, and not exceed 4 square feet.
  • Short-Term Rental: No signs are allowed in residential districts.
  • Signs in commercial districts must comply with the city's general sign regulations.

Parking Requirements (Chapter 27, Section 27-406):

• Requirement: 1 space for each bedroom to be rented.
• This clarifies that the requirement is based on the number of bedrooms to be rented, not just the total number of rooms.

Business License & Inspection (Chapter 22, Section 22-81):

• A separate license is required for each individual lot with an STR.
• The annual license fee is $125.00.
• Inspections for renewals must be requested in January of the current renewal year and be approved by May 31 for renewal approval.
• The license fee includes the first inspection and one follow-up inspection if completed prior to the last day of February for renewals.
• Additional inspections beyond the initial and one follow-up inspection will incur an additional fee, set by city resolution.

Applicable Codes: The operation of an STR must comply with the city's adopted:

• Building Code
• Fire Code
• Property Maintenance Code
• Garbage and Trash Code
• Nuisances Code
• Vegetation Code
• Zoning Code
• Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code

Johnson County & Missouri State Regulations

No specific county or state regulations for short-term rentals were provided in the source content. Therefore, investors should be aware of general state laws regarding lodging taxes (which the city checks for clearance) and any future county-level ordinances.

Contact Information for Local Authority

For questions about licensing, inspections, and zoning requirements, contact the following:

• Primary Contact:

  • Name: Jessica Venvertloh
  • Title: Management Analyst, City of Warrensburg
  • Phone: (660) 262-4648
  • Email: jessica.venvertloh@warrensburg-mo.com

• General City Contact:

  • Address: City of Warrensburg, 102 S Holden Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093
  • Phone: (660) 747-9131
  • Website: www.warrensburg-mo.com

Links to Source Pages

1. Ordinance (First Reading & Public Hearing): City of Warrensburg Community Development - Bed and Breakfast Inns and Short-Term Rentals
2. News Release - Educational Meeting: City to Host Meeting on New Bed & Breakfast and Short-Term Rental Licensing and Inspection Program
3. Ordinance (Second Reading & Final Adoption): City of Warrensburg Community Development - Bed and Breakfast Inns and Short-Term Rentals (Second Reading)