IT HAS STARTED! If you have a Jackson County Short Term Rental it is highly likely you’re about to get a tax assessment to reclassify you (or possibly a portion of your home) as Commercial.
Short Term Rental Owners Reporting Reclassification
Laura Williams a Short Term Rental Owner, is reporting that for her small 750 sq ft house in Waldo was reclassified from residential to commercial potentially making her taxes go from $2,000 a year to $6,800 a year. And this is after a tax increase from $700 in 202 to $2,000 in the past couple of years.
Emergency Ordinance Aims to Delay STR Tax Reclassification in Jackson County
An emergency ordinance is expected to be introduced Monday by Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith in response to rising concerns over property tax reclassifications affecting short-term rental (STR) owners.
The proposed measure seeks to temporarily halt the Jackson County Assessor’s practice of reclassifying STR properties from residential to commercial, a change that has significantly increased tax bills for many property owners. If passed, the ordinance would prevent further reclassifications for at least one to two years, extending beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Kansas City is set to host.
Supporters of the ordinance highlight several key points:
Timing Concerns – Critics argue that enforcing reclassifications before the World Cup could disrupt local STR operations, many of which are preparing to accommodate out-of-town visitors during the global event.
Legal Uniformity – The ordinance cites Article X of the Missouri Constitution, which requires taxes to be “uniform upon the same class or subclass of subjects.” Because Jackson County lacks a countywide registration system for STRs, enforcement is inconsistent—affecting only those properties identified through municipal permitting in cities like Kansas City, Missouri.
Lack of Oversight – The Jackson County Assessor is not an elected official, which limits public recourse. Proponents argue that legislative action is the only viable path to pause the reclassifications and allow time for potential statewide policy changes.
The ordinance is expected to draw strong interest from property owners and short-term rental operators across the county.
Short Term Rental Owners Asked To Show Up in Support June 9th
🗓 Monday, June 9, 2025
🕒 3:00 PM
📍 Jackson County Courthouse – 2nd Floor
415 E 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
👥 Show up in person to support Sean Smith’s emergency ordinance to delay commercial reclassifications until after the World Cup.
📬 Contact Your Legislator
Use this link to find and contact your Jackson County legislator:
🔗 https://www.jacksongov.org/Government/County-Legislature
📢 Be sure to email or call:
Your district legislator
Legislature Chair DaRon McGee
Sean Smith is our supporter, so we don’t need to reach him except to voice our support
📝 Share your personal story. Real-life examples carry real weight.
🖥️ Join the Webinar on June 17th from MOVHA
what to do with the information
why you should appeal
how to file your appeal
what to say at the BOEZoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kzWM1CBWT2qGOYl8pgRERg?
📬 Support Missouri Vacation Home Alliance MOVHA
Missouri Vacation Home Alliance worked to introduce HB 1086 this past legislative session which would have prevented all of this. But it did not get passed. We need EVERYONE’s support next legislative session.
Report from the Media
MAREI Advocacy
Keeping our members informed since 2004
