Kansas City vs Nashville
Missouri Legal with Permit | Tennessee Legal but Limited
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Kansas City, Missouri | Nashville, Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal but Limited |
| Permit Fee | $250/year permit fee | $313 permit fee |
| Tax Rate | 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500/offense for operating without permit | $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations |
| Verdict | Kansas City has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Kansas City, Missouri
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year permit fee
Tax Rate 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500/offense for operating without permit
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations
Kansas City has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Kansas City Overview
Short-term rental permits required for all listings. Both owner-occupied and investor-owned properties are eligible. Must maintain guest registry and provide local emergency contact within 30 minutes.
Full Kansas City guide →Nashville Overview
Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.
Full Nashville guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Kansas City or Nashville?
Kansas City is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Nashville is "Legal but Limited." Kansas City's permit fee is $250/year permit fee compared to $313 permit fee in Nashville.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Kansas City or Nashville?
Kansas City charges 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax, while Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Kansas City: $500/offense for operating without permit. Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations.