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Tulsa, OK

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STR Regulations for Tulsa, Oklahoma

Based solely on the provided content, here is a comprehensive guide for operating a short-term rental (STR) in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

1. Overview: Is it Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, subject to specific licensing and operational requirements. The City of Tulsa officially recognizes STRs as part of its hospitality industry and requires a license before any advertising or renting occurs for stays less than 30 days. STRs are permitted in all zoning districts, but licensing and compliance with all relevant ordinances are mandatory.

Key Definitions:

  • Short-Term Rental (STR): A dwelling unit rented or offered for rent for less than 30 days.
  • Dwelling Unit: A room/group designed as a habitable unit with kitchen, bath, and sleeping facilities for one household.
  • Principal Use STR: Dwelling used exclusively for short-term rental.
  • Accessory Use STR: Owner/tenant occupies the dwelling part-time but also rents it short-term, or rents a portion while occupying the dwelling.

2. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Tulsa

  1. Research Zoning: Verify that STRs are allowed in your property's zoning district. (They are allowed in all districts, but comply with other local covenants).
  2. Obtain Required Information: Gather all necessary property and owner/operator details (see "Required Documents" below).
  3. Apply for STR License: Submit your application and fees online via the City of Tulsa's designated portal (Hosted by Host Compliance).
  4. Receive License & Display: Once approved, print and visibly post the City-issued license inside the unit near the main entry.
  5. Register Online Listings: Add the STR License Number prominently to all online and print advertisements.
  6. Designate Local Contact: Ensure a responsible local contact person is available 24/7 to respond within one hour if contacted by the City.
  7. Determine Tax Obligations: Assess if your property has 5+ rooms and is therefore subject to the 5% City Lodging Tax. If applicable, set up a system for collection and monthly remittance via the online portal.
  8. Implement Compliance Systems: Establish practices to enforce occupancy limits, prevent parties/events, manage parking, maintain quiet, and handle guest rules/covenants.
  9. Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of bookings, taxes collected/remitted, and guest communications.
  10. Renew Annually: Remember the license expires on June 30th each year. Initiate renewal before this date.

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Mandatory License:

  • Short-Term Rental License: Issued by the City of Tulsa Finance Department's Business Licensing division. Fee is $375 ($75 License + $300 Implementation & Compliance Fee). This is the core requirement before any advertising or operation. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ & Airbnb Help
  • Application: Submitted online. Source: Tulsa Host Compliance Portal
  • Renewal: Required annually by June 30th. Non-automatic. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ

Required Information at Application/Renewal:

  • Property owner's name and contact details.
  • STR operator's name and contact details (if different from owner).
  • Emergency contact person's name and contact details (local contact required).
  • Address and parcel number of the STR unit.
  • Number of bedrooms to be offered.
  • Number and types of all rooms within the dwelling unit.
  • Number of on-site parking spaces.
  • Maximum occupancy of the property.
  • Use classification (Principal Use or Accessory Use).
  • All websites where the unit is to be advertised. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ

Zoning/Guideline Compliance:

  • Operators must review the relevant ordinances: Ordinance 24323 (Licensing) and Ordinance 24328 (Operational Standards). Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ & Municode Links
  • Compliance with Title 55, Section 404 (Square Footage Occupancy Limits) is mandatory. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ & Title 55 Section 404
  • Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Note: B&Bs do not require an STR License but must obtain approval via a Zoning Clearance Permit process and may host events. In residential/office districts, they require a Special Exception from the Board of Adjustment. Contact the Tulsa Planning Office for details. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ & Tulsa Planning Office

Tax Registration & Filing:

  • City Lodging Tax (5%): Required if the STR has 5 or more total rooms (bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, kitchen, etc.). Tax is collected from guests and remitted monthly to the City of Tulsa. Due by the last day of the month after collection. 3% discount if paid and filed by the 15th of the month. File/pay online. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Oklahoma State Sales Tax: May also apply. Operators are responsible for registration and compliance. Source: Checkmate Rentals

Key Operational Requirements:

  • Local Contact: Must be available 24/7 and respond within one hour to City contact. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • License Posting: Must be displayed visibly inside near the main entry. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • License Number in Ads: Must be included visibly on all advertising materials (print, digital, electronic). Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Maximum Occupancy: Strict cap of 8 occupants per STR unit, regardless of size. Also subject to Title 55, Section 404 square footage limits which could set a lower number. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Events Prohibited: All parties, meetings, receptions, or events of any kind are strictly forbidden at STR units. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Nuisance Prevention: Operator is responsible for preventing nuisance behavior and maintaining neighborhood peace and quiet. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Safety Standards: Implied by compliance with codes (smoke/CO detectors, extinguishers likely expected, though specific list not detailed in provided FAQ content). Source: Inferred from licensing process & general practice (Confirm via inspection/licensing details).
  • No Multiple Units per License: Each dwelling unit requires a separate STR license. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • RV Restrictions: RVs cannot be occupied as STR lodging unless at a lawfully established RV park/campground (with required STR License). Storing an RV on the STR property is only allowed if not visible from the street. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • HOA/Covenants: City code officers cannot enforce private covenants; owners must comply with HOA/CC&R restrictions. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Parcel Number: Needed for application. Found on County Assessor websites:

4. Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Tulsa (City, County, State)

City of Tulsa (Primary Regulatory Authority):

  • Licensing (Ord. 24323): Mandatory before any advertising/operation. $375 fee. Annual renewal by June 30. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ, Ord. 24323
  • Operational Standards (Ord. 24328): Defines requirements for local contact, posting, ads, occupancy limits, event prohibition, nuisance prevention, RV rules. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ, Ord. 24328
  • Zoning: STRs are permitted in ALL zoning districts subject to licensing. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Occupancy Limits: 8 occupants max per unit; also limited by Title 55, Section 404 (sq ft). Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Taxes: 5% City Lodging Tax required for STRs with 5+ rooms; paid monthly with online portal. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • Enforcement: Violations are a criminal misdemeanor (up to $1,200 fine), plus civil penalties ($1,000/day), permit withholding/revocation. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ
  • B&B Distinction: B&Bs have separate permitting via Zoning Clearance/Special Exception and can host events. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ, Tulsa Planning Office
  • Complaints: 24/7 Hotline for routine issues (e.g., noise, parking): (918) 248-9148. Urgent/after-hours: Non-emergency police (918) 596-9222. Online reporting also available. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ & Complaint Form

Tulsa County:

  • The primary source of regulations is the City of Tulsa. County-specific STR regulations are not detailed in the provided content.
  • Parcel Numbers: Obtained through County Assessor websites (Tulsa, Osage, Wagoner). Required for STR application. Source: City of Tulsa STR FAQ & Assessor Links.

State of Oklahoma:

  • Limited State-Level STR Regulation: Oklahoma primarily relies on local municipalities to regulate STRs. Source: Checkmate Rentals
  • State Sales Tax: May apply to STR rentals in addition to local lodging taxes. Operators are responsible for registration and compliance with the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Source: Checkmate Rentals

5. Contact Information for Local STR Authority

The primary contact for STR licensing, compliance, and taxes in Tulsa is the City of Tulsa Finance Department - Business Licensing Division.

6. Source Links (IMPORTANT)

Disclaimer: This guide is based solely on the provided content sources and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. Investors must thoroughly review the official Tulsa ordinances, consult the city departments directly (Business Licensing, Planning), and potentially seek legal counsel to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations. Regulations can change.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Tulsa?

Tulsa hosts earn a median $28,201/year with $144 ADR and 67% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,363+ per year.

See the full Tulsa market breakdown

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Tulsa

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
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Photos of Tulsa

Overview of Tulsa

Tulsa sits in northeastern Oklahoma as the seat of Tulsa County, with a city population of roughly 400,000 residents and a metropolitan area approaching one million. Long shaped by the oil boom of the early twentieth century, the city carries that legacy in its remarkable concentration of Art Deco architecture, in cultural institutions funded by petroleum-era philanthropy, and in a still-thriving energy sector. It serves as a gateway to Oklahoma's "Green Country" — a rolling, lake-dotted region to the east and south — and remains a popular stop for travelers retracing historic Route 66. Tulsa lies about 105 miles northeast of Oklahoma City and roughly 250 miles southwest of Kansas City, putting it within easy weekend-trip range of both larger hubs.

Along the Arkansas River just south of downtown, the Gathering Place has, since opening in 2018, become Tulsa's signature public space. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh and widely recognized as one of the most ambitious riverfront parks in the United States, it offers playgrounds, gardens, performance lawns, and trails across more than 100 acres, drawing both locals and out-of-town visitors year-round.

On the southern edge of midtown, the Philbrook Museum of Art occupies a 1920s Italian Renaissance-style villa originally built for oil magnate Waite Phillips. The mansion is surrounded by formal gardens, and the collection spans European, American, and Native American works — a blend of architecture, horticulture, and art that makes it one of the state's most-visited cultural attractions.

About an hour's drive southwest near Bartlesville, Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve offers a different flavor of the region. The 3,700-acre ranch was the country retreat of Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum, and today it houses a museum of Western art and Native American artifacts alongside herds of bison, longhorn cattle, and other North American wildlife. Its name — "woods, lakes, rocks" — hints at the kind of escape it provides from city streets.

Back in the city, the Tulsa Arts District and the adjacent Blue Dome and Deco districts form the heart of downtown's nightlife and dining scene, anchored by historic buildings from the oil boom era. Nearby, the Gilcrease Museum sits on a hill overlooking the skyline and holds one of the world's most comprehensive collections of art of the American West, while the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks and the trails of Mohawk Park round out a varied set of family-friendly outings just minutes from the urban core.

For short-term rental investors, Tulsa offers a rare combination of affordability, walkable cultural anchors, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Visitors arrive for a mix of business travel, Route 66 nostalgia, arts tourism, and family weekends spent between the riverfront park, the city's museums, and the surrounding lakes and ranches — a steady and varied demand profile that makes the market appealing beyond any single season.

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