Merriam’s short-term-rental buffer is back after the World Cup pause

Merriam‘s temporary pause on its 1,000-foot short-term-rental buffer has ended. The City of Merriam says the exception covered May 15 through July 25, 2026, and that short-term-rental licenses issued within 1,000 feet of an existing licensed rental during that period expired July 26.

For property owners considering a new short-term rental, the city’s regular distance rule is now back in effect. Merriam says a short-term rental generally cannot operate within 1,000 feet of a property with an existing Short-Term Rental License.

What Kansas House Bill 2481 changed temporarily

House Bill 2481 was tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and created a temporary statewide period for short-term-rental regulation. From May 15 through July 25, municipalities could not limit the number of short-term-rental permits or limit the duration of rentals covered by the law.

The law also required municipalities to process completed short-term-rental applications and issue a response within 15 calendar days during that period. If a municipality failed to respond within 15 calendar days, the application was deemed approved under the law, and the municipality could not add another regulation or code requirement as a condition of approval.

Those provisions were temporary. They did not permanently rewrite Merriam’s short-term-rental ordinance.

Which Merriam licenses were affected

Merriam’s official guidance says the city’s 1,000-foot buffer was not enforced between May 15 and July 25. It specifically says licenses issued for a short-term rental within 1,000 feet of an existing short-term rental expired on July 26.

That language does not mean every short-term-rental license issued during the temporary period expired. The city identifies the affected group as licenses issued within the buffer around an existing short-term rental.

Merriam’s normal rules also include grandfathering language. Short-term rentals established before October 1, 2024, may continue operating inside the 1,000-foot distance if they obtained both required licenses before that date and continuously maintained them.

Operators still need two city licenses

Merriam requires both a Residential Landlord License and a Short-Term Rental License. The city lists a $90 fee for the Residential Landlord License and a $300 fee for the Short-Term Rental License, for combined listed fees of $390 before any other costs or requirements.

Applicants must submit complete applications and applicable fees to the Community Development Department. A Short-Term Rental License also requires the owner or manager to mail notice to property owners within 200 feet of the rental property and provide guests with the city’s Neighborly Information packet.

Neighborhood rules remain in place

Short-term-rental operators remain responsible for ordinary Merriam code requirements. The city’s guidance addresses unreasonable or exceptionally loud noise, disruptive parties, parking on grass, trash-container storage and collection timing.

The city also says it regularly performs exterior inspections and biennial interior inspections of licensed short-term rentals. Operating without a license can result in a court summons and fines.

Check with the city before relying on the map

Merriam warns that its online licensed-rental map is static and is not updated regularly. It should be used only as a reference. Anyone considering a particular address should contact the Community Development Department for an eligibility determination rather than relying on the map alone.

Sources

• City of Merriam short-term-rental guidance
• Kansas House Bill 2481, enrolled bill
• Merriam Code Section 14-206