There are two major changes to the City of Lawrence short-term rental (STR) code that new applicants and currently licensed owners should be aware of :

• Non-owner-occupied STRs will be permitted in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts citywide beginning May 25, regardless of their status of owner-occupied versus nonowner-occupied, with a sundown date to be determined for late July. After the ordinance is no longer in effect, nonowner-occupied STRs in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts are prohibited. 

• There is no limit on the number of STRs an owner may operate during the World Cup authorization period (May 25 – late July). After the ordinance is no longer in effect, an owner may operate no more than three short-term rentals within the city. 

Resources:

• City of Lawrence Code Compliance →

• Lawrence Enterprise Permitting & Licensing →

How do I apply for a short-term rental (STR) license?
Visit the City of Lawrence customer portal at lawrenceks.gov/epl. Here you will find how-to guides explaining how to use the portal. You will click on the box “Access the EPL” to launch the customer portal and apply for a license.

What is the cost of an STR license?
The STR licensing fee is $17, with an additional $50 inspection fee per unit when an inspection is required.

If I convert a long-term rental (LTR) to an STR during the World Cup, will an inspection be required?
If the LTR is currently licensed and has passed its most recent LTR inspection, an additional inspection will not be required. In all other instances, an inspection is required.

I operate a building with multiple units, and Unit A was inspected in 2022 while Unit B was inspected in 2025. I want to use both units as STRs during the World Cup. Will inspections be required?
Partially. Unit B, which was inspected during the most recent inspection cycle, would be exempt from inspection. Unit A, which was last inspected in 2022 (two cycles ago), would need to undergo an inspection.

Are there occupancy restrictions for STRs?
Yes. The same occupancy limits that are in effect normally apply during the World Cup, and STRs must adhere to Section 20-204 of the City’s Land Development Code (LDC): 

• Occupancy means residing or sleeping at a dwelling unit the majority of a person's time. Unless otherwise expressly stated in this LDC, all household living uses, as identified in Table 20-8-1: Principal Use Table, shall be limited to one household per dwelling unit. A household is defined as any of the following occupying a dwelling unit:

  • A single person

  • Any number of people related to each other by blood, marriage or other committed partnership, adoption, fostering, or guardianship

  • A maximum of four adults of any relationship in the R-1 and R-2 districts, and a maximum of five adults of any relationship in all other zoning districts that permit residential uses.

Can I apply now for an STR license if I plan to use it only during the World Cup?
The City of Lawrence is currently accepting applications for Temporary Short-Term Rental (TSTR) licenses. Applications will be reviewed, fees collected and inspections conducted as staff availability and scheduling allow. The license will be officially issued on May 25, when the ordinance takes effect, and you will receive a copy at that time. The TSTR license will then be closed on the day following the sundown date of the current ordinance (TBD in late July). The use of the TSTR will only be allowed during the duration of the ordinance during the World Cup. 

Do I need to include my TSTR license number in my listings on short-term rental internet platforms?
Yes. All STR and TSTR advertisements are required to include the STR/TSTR license number in the listing title for the advertised property. 

What action do I need to take after the sundown date that allows TSTRs?
Immediately remove your temporary short-term rental listing from all short-term rental internet platforms used to advertise the property. The TSTR license will automatically close when Ordinance No. 10153 is no longer in effect. The City will also issue a notice requiring you to discontinue operation of the TSTR. 

Can a tenant residing in a current long-term rental property (LTR) advertise their space as a short-term rental (STR)?
Yes, but only under the following conditions:

1. Written authorization from the property owner granting the tenant permission to operate a short-term rental must be provided to the city

2. A TSTR license must be obtained, all applicable fees must be paid, and an inspection must be completed. If the LTR is current and has passed its most recent LTR inspection, an additional inspection will not be required. 

Will all violations cited during an inspection be required to be corrected, even if the re-inspection deadline extends beyond the sundown date for the legal use of the TSTR? Yes. All violations identified during an inspection must be corrected within the specified compliance period, typically 30 days, unless immediate life-safety issues are present, in which case, the correction is required within a shorter period to be determined by the inspector. 

What should I do if there is a problem with the STR I am renting and the owner does not address it?
You may reach out to our rental inspection staff by emailing rentallicensing@lawrenceks.gov or by calling 785-832-3345. An inspection can be scheduled to assess the issue as appropriate.

• Temporary campgrounds and RV parks in the unincorporated area of Douglas County are generally not permitted without first obtaining a Temporary Business Use Permit. These permits require submitting an application, payment of a $100 fee, review by county staff, and a vote of approval from the Board of County Commissioners. To apply for an application or for any questions, please reach out to zoning@dgcoks.gov.

• Except for a few narrow exceptions, camping is prohibited at the University of Kansas campus. Read the KU Camping Policy.