Legal with permit
Cheap permits, but investors are limited to commercial and high-density zones
Under Ordinance 2024-0065 (effective May 1, 2025), Branson requires an annual $100 Short-Term Rental Business License plus a one-time $150 fire department STR permit valid for three years. STRs are allowed in commercial districts and high-density residential zones, but restricted or prohibited in low-density residential zones and some planned developments, with no owner-occupancy requirement.
Permit and costs
- Permit
- Short-Term Rental Business License + Fire Department STR Permit
- Issued by
- City of Branson / Branson Fire Department
- Cost
- $100 / year license + $150 one-time fire permit (3 years); refundable Tourism Tax Bond at application
- Renewal
- License renews annually May 1 to April 30; fire permit every 3 years and transfers with ownership
Key limits
- Zoning
- STRs are permitted in commercial districts and high-density residential zones; low-density residential zones, unauthorized planned developments, and named subdivisions like Hideaway Hills are restricted or prohibited.
- Fire inspection
- A fire safety inspection is required before the permit issues, and an emergency safety plan plus evacuation map must be posted at the property.
- Occupancy
- Typically no more than three to four unrelated persons per dwelling, depending on zoning.
- No night cap
- No maximum nights-per-year cap is on record.
Taxes
- Tourism tax
- 4% city tourism tax on gross rental receipts, filed and paid directly by hosts monthly; neither Airbnb nor Vrbo remits it
- State sales tax
- 4.225% Missouri state sales tax applies, plus a 1% local sales tax on lodging in the tourism district
Registration checklist
- 1Verify eligibilityCheck the address in the city's mapping tool and confirm the property is inside city limits, since some Branson mailing addresses sit outside them.
- 2Pass fire inspectionComplete the Branson Fire Department inspection to get the STR permit.
- 3License and file taxesGet the annual business license and file monthly city tax returns.
What could change this verdict
Your HOA
Subdivision rules can ban STRs even where the city allows them, so check the CC&Rs before buying.
Rule changes
The ordinance is new as of May 2025 and replaced the prior Nightly Rental classification, so watch for amendments.
Legal with permit
No owner-occupancy requirement found
The same license and permit path covers owner-present rentals.
Permit and costs
- Permit
- Short-Term Rental Business License + Fire Department STR Permit
- Issued by
- City of Branson / Branson Fire Department
- Cost
- $100 / year license + $150 one-time fire permit (3 years); refundable Tourism Tax Bond at application
- Renewal
- License renews annually May 1 to April 30; fire permit every 3 years and transfers with ownership
Sources
Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.
Want this verified for your exact address?
$75 per address
- Verdict for your parcel, not just the city
- Permit name, fee, and renewal schedule
- Night caps, occupancy rules, and key limits
- Tax rates and a step-by-step checklist
Free during early access. Run the free address check
Verify before you buy.
Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.