Short-term rentals in Springfield, explained properly.

The rule is in Sec. 36-473(2)(b)1 and covers Type 2 only (rentals in R-SF or R-TH districts that are not the owner's primary residence). Applicants who filed a Type 2 application in the first 30 days after the ordinance was passed (it was adopted on January 28, 2019) were not subject to the spacing rule; later applications are. When a permit is suspended, revoked or denied for 12 months, the section says another rental may be established during that time, and the spacing rule can then keep the revoked or denied rental from being re-established.

Sec. 36-473(3)(b)1 limits Type 3 rentals (those in zoning districts other than R-SF and R-TH that allow residential uses) to 2 units on a premises (the section's wording is "two"). The section does not define 'premises' in the text read.

Adjacent owners include those adjoining and immediately across the street. Owners of residential property within 500 feet have 10 days from the date of the neighborhood meeting to submit an objection letter. If the applicant submits a complete meeting summary and fewer than the threshold of adjacent owners object, the application is approved, provided that all other requirements are satisfied. The Planning and Zoning Commission's decision on the appeal is final for the purposes of Chapter 536, RSMo.

The applicant holds a neighborhood meeting at the property or in the immediate vicinity. The Planning and Development Department mails the notice, but the applicant prepares the letters and envelopes and pays the postage; notice goes to owners and occupants of property within 500 feet and to neighborhood association officers on file. The applicant also posts a sign of at least 18 by 24 inches on each street frontage at least 10 days before and 21 days after the meeting, for a total of at least 31 days. The meeting summary must be filed within 10 days of the meeting with a sign-in sheet and the issues raised; without a complete summary in that time the application is incomplete and a new meeting is needed. The City may prepare forms to implement the section.

Sec. 36-473(2)(b)7 and (3)(b)4 require a certificate of occupancy for Type 2 and Type 3 rentals. Sec. 36-333 itself was not read. The City's FAQ lists a $30 inspection fee for Type 3 and includes a $30 inspection fee in the Type 2 total (see the fees rule). A transfer of the property with its permit does not by itself trigger a new certificate of occupancy inspection.

The prohibition appears in Sec. 36-473(2)(b)5 (Type 2) and (3)(b)2 (Type 3). The City's FAQ words it as rentals that cannot be rented solely for receptions, parties, weddings or similar activities, and it tells neighbors to call 911 for loud parties.

Sec. 36-473(4) requires the owner of a Type 2 or Type 3 rental to post conspicuously in each rental unit: names and contact information of the person or persons responsible for day-to-day operations; the certificate of occupancy and business license number; the noise restrictions in Sec. 36-485, including limits on amplified sound; any applicable parking restrictions; the trash collection schedule; and that the unit may not be rented for receptions, parties, weddings or similar activities. The City's FAQ gives the same list in its answer on what to post.

Each type's provisions make it a violation for the owner (Type 1) or owner or operator (Types 2 and 3) to advertise or promote, or use a third-party intermediary to advertise or promote, a rental that is not in compliance with the section.

Hosting platforms must also disclose to the City, on a regular basis and subject to applicable laws, each listing in the city, the names of the persons responsible, the address, the length of stay and the price paid for each stay.

Sec. 36-473(8)(b) makes the hosting platform an agent of the short-term rental licensee for tax collection and remittance under Chapter 70, Article V of the City Code. That article, and the City lodging tax rate, were not read, so no rate is stated here. State sales tax is covered in the Missouri section above.

Sec. 36-473 requires an annual business license. The City's FAQ says permits are valid for one year, that failure to renew before the expiry date may result in a code enforcement notice and, if non-owner occupied, the potential forfeiture of the established permit, and that there is no grace period for late applications. Changes to the information on an application go to [email protected], and an owner who stops operating should tell the City so staff can void the permit.

Sec. 36-473(6) allows the transfer. The City's FAQ adds that the transferee must complete the application and provide the information within 30 days of the sale.

Sec. 36-473(2)(c)1 says the $350 Type 2 application fee is in addition to the permit and certificate of occupancy fee. The City's FAQ gives a Type 1 fee of $25 for a new business license, with renewal based on revenues generated; a Type 2 fee of $715 that includes the Planning fee, a $30 inspection fee and the licensing fee, which starts at $25; and a Type 3 fee of $30 (inspection fee). Neither the FAQ nor the code text read shows the date of the fee schedule, and the code's schedule of fees was not read, so these amounts are unconfirmed and the figures are not added together here.

Sec. 36-473(9): a violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than 180 days, or both, and the court shall not suspend imposition of sentence. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. A person found guilty is sentenced to a minimum fine of $500.00; one with a previous guilty finding under the section is sentenced to a minimum fine of $1,000.00.

The grounds are failure to comply with Sec. 36-473 or any other city codes and ordinances, or a permit issued on a misstatement of fact, fraud or non-compliance (Sec. 36-473(5)). A denial is given to the owner in writing with a brief statement of reasons and the section relied on. If the director denies, suspends or revokes a permit, the owner may file an appeal request to the Planning and Zoning Commission, whose decision is final for the purposes of Chapter 536, RSMo.

Section 144.020.1(6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri imposes a tax equivalent to four percent on the amount of sales or charges for all rooms, meals and drinks furnished at any hotel, motel, tavern, inn, restaurant, eating house, drugstore, dining car, tourist cabin, tourist camp or other place in which rooms, meals or drinks are regularly served to the public. The Department of Revenue says the state sales and use tax is 4.225 percent in total, split among General Revenue (3.0 percent), Education (1.0 percent), Conservation (0.125 percent) and Parks/Soils (0.10 percent), and that cities, counties and special taxing districts may add their own sales taxes. The sources read do not say whether, or when, a privately owned home rented for short stays counts as a place in which rooms are regularly served to the public; check with the Department of Revenue. City and county taxes are shown on each place's page.

Section 144.752, in effect since January 1, 2023, requires marketplace facilitators that do business in Missouri to register with the Department of Revenue to collect and remit use tax on sales made through their marketplaces that are delivered into the state. The section's definition of a marketplace facilitator does not include a person with respect to the provision of travel agency services, which it defines as facilitating, for a commission, fee or other consideration, travel packages, travel reservations, tickets, or hotel or other lodging accommodations. The Department of Revenue pages read do not say whether booking platforms collect state sales tax on short-term rental stays; check with the platform and the Department of Revenue. City rules on platform collection of city taxes are shown on each place's page.

A word search of the Revised Statutes of Missouri found no section regulating the short-term rental of homes, so local rules apply. In the 2026 Regular Session, House Bill 1768 (combined with HB 2060), which modifies provisions relating to the classification of certain residential real property used for short-term rentals, was sent to the Senate, which adopted its own substitute; its last action, on May 15, 2026, was referral to the House Fiscal Review Committee, and the House bill page shows it was not truly agreed to and finally passed. In the 2025 Regular Session, House Bill 1086 on the same subject was last voted do pass by a Senate committee on May 1, 2025. A similar bill could be filed in a later session.