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 After the ordinance is no longer in effect, nonowner-occupied STRs in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts are prohibited.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 After the ordinance is no longer in effect, an owner may operate no more than three short-term rentals within the city.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.

With an expected influx of visitors this summer, Lawrence residents who rent may have questions about their rights regarding their home. Here are some important things to know.

1. The landlord has the right to evict ONLY if there is material noncompliance by the tenant or failure to pay rent.

   If the tenant materially fails to comply with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with legal duties under Kansas law materially affecting health and safety, the landlord may deliver a written 14/30 day notice to the tenant specifying the breach and the landlord may terminate the rental agreement if rent is unpaid and the tenant fails to pay rent within three (3) days of written notice.

2. The landlord is required to give the tenant written notice to terminate the lease AND a notice to leave.
   
   After notice is delivered, the landlord will file a petition in court. The tenant will receive a summons to appear, and can appear in person, by counsel or file a written answer before the answer hearing. If the tenant appears and denies the allegations of the petition, a trial must be scheduled within 14 days.

3. Landlords are required to comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety, provide reasonable care in maintenance, maintain all appliances in good and safe working order, provide trash removal, and supply running water and reasonable heat.
   
   Landlords are required under K.S.A. 58-2553 to comply with keeping the rental unit in good working order. If a tenant believes a landlord is not in compliance, they can file a 14/30-day written notice with the landlord. Tenants must give the landlord 14 days to remedy a violation, or the lease will terminate in 30 days. If the issue is fixed and there is a good faith effort to fix the problem, but the violation occurs again, tenants can file a different written notice that stipulates they will vacate within the same 30 days.

4. Immediately contact code enforcement if there are dangerous conditions in your unit that your landlord is not fixing at 785-832-3345.

5. Only a Sheriff can evict someone with an order from a Judge. It is illegal for your landlord to lock you out of your rental unit or dimmish services prior to getting a court judgement for eviction.

   
   Under K.S.A. 58-2563, a landlord must have a court judgement from a Judge before the Sheriff can evict you. Prior to that court judgement, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and recover not more than one and one half months’ (1 1/2) rent and damages sustained by the tenant, whichever is greater.

6. Take written or photographic inventory of your rental unit during your move-in inspection. You cannot be charged for normal wear and tear to the unit.
   
   Take inventory of all broken and/or issues within the rental unit during your move-in inspection so you cannot be charged for them when you move out and can keep your security deposit. Unless you make significant changes or damages to your unit, you cannot be charged for normal wear and tear of your rental unit.

7. You should not be charged more than one month’s rent for a security deposit, unless there is a pet deposit or your unit is furnished.
   
   Under K.S.A. 58-2550, you cannot be charged a security deposit for an unfurnished rental unit more than one month’s rent. Landlords can charge an additional ½ month’s rent if the unit is furnished and there is a pet deposit – but that is it.

8. The landlord has the right to enter the rental unit at reasonable hours after reasonable notice to the tenant in order to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs.
   
   The landlord may only enter the rental unit without consent IF there is an extreme hazard involving the potential loss of life or severe property damage 

9. It is illegal for your landlord to retaliate against you by increasing rent or decreasing services after you complain to a government agency, landlord, or become a member of a tenant’s union.
   
   The tenant is entitled to one and one-half times rent or damages, whichever is greater, and has a defense in an action for possession.

10. You are protected from being denied a rental unit or evicted if you have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking.

    Your landlord may impose a reasonable termination fee not to exceed one month’s rent who requests termination of a rental or lease agreement.

11. If damages or destruction by fire or casualty occur, you are allowed to terminate your rental agreement or lease in writing within five (5) days.
    
    You may vacate the premises immediately and shall notify your landlord with the intention to terminate the rental agreement. If continued occupancy is lawful, you may vacate any part of the dwelling unit rendered unusable by fire or casualty, in which case the tenant’s liability for rent is reduced to the proportion of fair rental value of the unit.

• 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.