City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Springfield, MO
How Springfield regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- residential-zone exclusion of non-owner-occupied whole-home STR from R-SF/R-TH
- deniable special-exception permit (adjacent-owner objection triggers mandatory denial)
- 500-ft Type 2-to-Type 2 separation in single-family/townhouse residential
- city levies a lodging/tourism tax reaching STR stays
Based on: Springfield City Code Ch. 36 (Land Development Code), Art. III, Div. 5, § 36-473 Short-term rentals (STR framework
Summary of the rule
It at least two or at least 30 percent, whichever is greater, of adjacent owners of residential real property, including those adjoining and immediately across the street, submit a letter of objection, the application shall be denied. If the application is denied for this reason, an applicant may file an appeal to the planning and zoning commission for a resolution to approve the application. An appeal must be filed within 10 days of denial. The decision of the planning and zoning commission shall be final for the purposes of Chapter 536, RSMo.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 25, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Springfield · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.