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Short Term Rentals

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What is a Short Term Rental?

The definition for a Short Term Rental typically means "the practice of renting out a furnished room, suite, home, apartment or dwelling unit for a short-term stay." These include transient lodging offered through Airbnb, Vrbo, and other similar online platforms. The City of Wichita Unified Zoning Code does not currently address this type of use.

Background

With the advent of systems to offer and rent Short Term Rentals, Wichita has seen a significant increase in the number of Short Term Rentals operating in the City. According to information from Granicus, the number of unique Short Term Rental units in Wichita increased from 337 units in April of 2021 to 442 units in February of 2022. 

Current Wichita Policy and Regulations on Short Term Rentals

In the City of Wichita, Short Term Rentals are regulated by the Unified Zoning Code. The Unified Zoning Code does not specifically identify or define Short Term Rental as a land use. However, the Unified Zoning Code does include a number of definitions that regulate where and how long dwelling units can be leased in the City. Based on the Unified Zoning Code, there are generally three options for how a Short Term Rental can be legally operated in the City. Short Term Rentals are not permitted in the unincorporated Sedgwick County. 

  1.  If the owner or a manager is not onsite AND the rental is for fewer than 7 days, then it would be under the Unified Zoning Code definition of Hotel or Motel (Hotel or Motel means an establishment used, maintained or advertised as a place where sleeping accommodations are supplied for short term use by Transient Guests, usually for less than a week, in which rooms are furnished for the accommodation of such Transient Guests, which may have as an Accessory Use one or more dining rooms, and may include individual kitchen facilities. Typical uses include Hotels, Motels, tourist courts and emergency shelters for the homeless and for victims of crime, abuse or neglect.).
  2.  The Hotel / Motel is only permitted in the following districts:
    • GO - General Office
    • LC - Local Commercial
    • GC- General Commercial
    • CBD- Central Business District
    • LI- Limited Industrial
    • GI- General Industrial
    • AFB- Air Force Base


Short Term Rentals in Other Communities

Planning Department staff reviewed 25 cities in Kansas and neighboring states to see if and how they regulate Short Term Rentals. This information can be used to help collect public input about the state of the practice, lessons learned and what some options are for Wichita. Cities evaluated included Lawrence, KS, Manhattan, KS, Springfield, MO, Oklahoma City, OK, Des Moines, IA and Albuquerque, NM.

Of the communities reviewed, 16 communities had regulations, while nine (9) communities surveyed either have no regulations or are reviewing their options at this time. The number of requirements placed on Short Term Rentals varied significantly by community. Below is a graphic that illustrates the number of requirements.

Short Term Rental Regulation Occurence

​Common policies covered occupancy restrictions, zoning regulations, length of time a Short Term Rental could be rented based upon if the property was owner-occupied or not. Some communities required neighborhood notification up to 500 feet from the rental property; while others required a public meeting coordinated by the property owner. In some cases, nearby property owners had to agree that the property could be used for short term rental. Most cities required a license and/or permit for the business to operate. Some communities allowed the business to transfer with the property, while others did not.​​​

Possible Changes

In response to public comments and requests, the City of Wichita has explored possible options to make changes in the way that short-term rentals are regulated. The possible changes consist of the following elements:

  • updates to the Unified Zoning Code;
  • a new short-term rentals licensing program; and
  • a new section of the Wichita Municipal Code to address party houses.

You can find draft copies of these changes on this website. Please note that this a process to determine whether regulations and/or changes are a good fit for Wichita. So, be sure to look for the most recent draft as the documents will likely be updated throughout the process.

Events

You can learn more about possible changes by attending or viewing an event. Below is a listing of events where information about the City of Wichita and possible changes related to short-term rentals are discussed.

Past Events

  • On April 21, 2021, the City hosted a virtual meeting for Crown Heights Neighborhood residents and stakeholders to discuss existing regulations for short-term rentals in Wichita. ​
  • On February 8, 2022, the City hosted a virtual meeting for Crown Heights Neighborhood residents and stakeholders to review potential option for regulatory changes related to short-term rentals. The feedback and questions from the meeting were used to help identify preferred options that could best meet community needs. The feedback received about short-term rentals and the ability to operate them in Wichita was diverse. There was general support for short-term rentals operating with the owner present. Responses for short-term rentals operating with out the owner present ranged from don't allow, to require a Conditional Use or other opportunity for neighbor input. In general, there appeared to be overall support for licensing. Participants provided a wide range of thoughts on what amount of fees would be appropriate. Multiple participants expressed concerns about the impact that short-term rentals would have on quality of life. Multiple participants also indicated that enforcement is important and had questions about how enforcement is done by the City.
  • On October 25, 2022, the City Council received a presentation on potential regulation changes and licensing during the City Council workshop.
  • On November 3, 2022, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) Advance Plans Committee received a presentation on potential regulation changes and licensing.
  • On December 5, 2023, DAB I received a presentation on short-term rentals and potential regulation changes.
  • On December 7, 2023, DAB III received a presentation on short-term rentals and potential regulation changes.
  • On January 4th, 2023, DAB V received a presentation on short-term rentals and potential regulation changes.
  • On January 9th, 20232, DAB VI received a presentation on short-term rentals and potential regulation changes.
  • On February 6th, 2023, DAB IV received a presentation on short-term rentals and potential regulation changes.

  • On February 14, 2023, the Realtors of South Central Kanas received a presentation on short term rentals and potential regulation changes. ​

  • On March 9​​, 2023, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission - Advance Plans Committee received a presentation and recommneded that the full planning commission take action to schedule a public hearing. 

  • On March 23, 2023, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted to set a public hearing for April 13, 2023 o consider to proposed amendments to the Unified Zoning Code and changes to the Wichita Municipal Code.​

  • On April 13, 2023, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Planning Commissionreceived a presentation on proposed regulation changes related to short term rentals in Wichita and held a public hearing. Multiple members of the public provided comments. The Planning Commission voted to defer the item so that the MAPC Advance Plans Committee can consider the proposed regulation changes at their May 11, 2023 meeting. 

​Upcoming Events​​​

  • On May 11, 2023, the MAPC Advance Plans Committee is scheduled to discuss the proposed regulation changes. 
  • On May 11, 2023, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the proposed regulation changes. ​​
  • Wichita City Council (date TBD)
  • Sedgwick County Board of County Commission (date TBD)
     ​​​

Public Input​

You can provide input and share your thoughts about what changes (if any) the City should put in place regarding short-term rentals. Below are some ways to share your thoughts. Submit comments via email at planning@wichita.gov​ o​r submit a letter to the Planning Department at the following address: ​Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department (Attn: Mary Hunt), 271 W. 3rd Street, Suite 201, Wichita, KS 67202

Regulation and Policy Change Documents

Type
  
Name
  
expand Category : Current Draft Version ‎(5)
expand Category : Previous Document Versions ‎(8)
expand Category : Public Input Documents ‎(2)

STR Enforcement

Monitoring and enforcement of Short Term Rentals is generally led and coordinated by the Planning Department, Zoning Enforcement Division. 


Reports or complaints may be submitted via email, by calling 316-268-4421 or online using the MABCD portal. The Zoning Enforcement Division generally operates 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, unless enforcement actions are specifically scheduled for a different time.


Depending on the severity and the timing of the issue, complaints/issues can also be made to the Wichita Police Department. The WPD can disperse individuals and issue citations as needed. Depending on the issue, other departments – including the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department or Wichita Fire Department could be contacted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Existing Conditions and Current Regulations

Answer
expand Question : Do we know where the complaints about existing Short Term Rentals have occurred and how many are multiple incidents occurring at a property? ‎(1)
expand Question : How can I report a Short Term Rental that is not following city regulations? ‎(1)
expand Question : How is a Short Term Rental different from a Bed and Breakfast? ‎(1)
expand Question : If a Short Term Rental is in violation of the Unified Zoning Code and is taken to court, then which court does it go to? ‎(1)
expand Question : Is there a minimum length of stay for a Short Term Rental in Wichita? ‎(1)
expand Question : What is a Short Term Rental? ‎(1)
expand Question : What kind of impacts are Short Term Rentals having on neighborhoods now, and do we have an incident call reports that could help us determine that? ‎(1)

Potential Regulations Reviewed by the Wichita City Council on October 2022

Answer
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then can City staff easily identify if properties are within 600 feet of an existing Short Term Rental? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then what would I need to do in order to operate my house as a Short Term Rental? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then where could I operate a Short Term Rental within the City of Wichita? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would a duplex owner be able to operate both sides of the duplex as Short Term Rentals? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would a Short Term Rental license for a dwelling unit transfer with the sale of the dwelling unit to the new property owner? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would an apartment building owner be able to operate multiple units as Short Term Rentals? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would I need to get a license to operate a Short Term Rental? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would Short Term Rental operations need to have a license for each location or just one license for the operator? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would short term rental operators be required to answer their contact phone 24/7 or would it be an automated response letting the caller know that they will get back with them during business hours? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would the addresses of the licensed Short Term Rentals be available for the public to view? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would the Short Term Rental operator be required to maintain insurance? ‎(1)
expand Question : If these changes go into effect, then would there be a limit as to how many people can stay at a Short Term Rental at one time? ‎(1)
expand Question : Is there anything in the possible changes that would distinguish between individual or corporation ownership of Short Term Rentals? ‎(1)
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