Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Cape Girardeau County, MO

Airbnb listings are allowed in Cape Girardeau County, MO, but with restrictions. In the City of Cape Girardeau, rentals must comply with residential safety and sanitary standards, including functional smoke alarms in all bedrooms and floor levels. A 4% license tax is levied on gross receipts from transient guests. Guest houses (accessory dwellings) are strictly prohibited from being used as rentals and require a recorded deed restriction to that effect. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

In the City of Cape Girardeau, rentals must comply with residential safety and sanitary standards, including functional smoke alarms in all bedrooms and floor levels. A 4% license tax is levied on gross receipts from transient guests. Guest houses (accessory dwellings) are strictly prohibited from being used as rentals and require a recorded deed restriction to that effect.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Cape Girardeau County. 1. Apply for a Residential Rental License through the City of Cape Girardeau Inspection Services. 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection ensuring compliance with smoke alarm and sanitary standards. 3. Complete the Hotel/Motel/Restaurant Tax Application to pay the 4% transient guest tax.

1. Apply for a Residential Rental License through the City of Cape Girardeau Inspection Services. 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection ensuring compliance with smoke alarm and sanitary standards. 3. Complete the Hotel/Motel/Restaurant Tax Application to pay the 4% transient guest tax.

Vrbo is permitted in Cape Girardeau County, MO under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Cape Girardeau County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Cape Girardeau County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.