Kansas City vs Seattle
Missouri Legal with Permit | Washington Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Kansas City, Missouri | Seattle, Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $250/year permit fee | $75/year short-term rental operator license |
| Tax Rate | 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax | 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city) |
| 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 | $500/day for operating without a license |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
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
Seattle, Washington
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year short-term rental operator license
Tax Rate 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/day for operating without a license
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
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 →Seattle Overview
Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied units may be licensed. Operators may list up to 2 units. A platform license is also required for listing sites. Must collect and remit all applicable lodging taxes.
Full Seattle guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Kansas City or Seattle?
Kansas City is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Seattle is "Legal with Permit." Kansas City's permit fee is $250/year permit fee compared to $75/year short-term rental operator license in Seattle.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Kansas City or Seattle?
Kansas City charges 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax, while Seattle charges 15.6% combined lodging tax (state + county + city). 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. Seattle: $500/day for operating without a license.