Parkville loosens short-term rental rules for World Cup
PARKVILLE, Mo. (KCTV) - The Parkville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday night to loosen its relatively strict short-term rental rules for a three-month period to accommodate World Cup visitors.
Downtown Parkville is a popular spot for a stroll past small, local shops, but there are few hotels to accommodate the anticipated swell of people coming to the metro area for the World Cup in the summer of 2026. The city of 8,000-9,000 people wants to seize on that.
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” said Alderman Brian Whitley. “We’re going to have a huge influx of people into the community. It gives an opportunity for the city to collect revenue and for residents and homeowners to financially benefit from this as well.”
City Alexa Barton said quaint little Parkville is at the forefront of the effort to tackle what’s bound to be a housing shortage for the big event.
“I’ve talked to other city managers and leaders in community development within the region and actually outside the region,” Barton said, “and they’re all saying the same thing: Please share with me your policy when you get it done because we may want to do the same thing.”
Right now, the city has strict limits on short-term rentals.
There can be only four per ward, for a total of 16. They have to be on an owner-occupied property, and only one rental unit is allowed per property.
All that would be scratched from May 1 to July 31. The number allowed would be unlimited. No homeowner would be required on site. HOA rules may still exclude some subdivisions.
Some existing measures remain. Property owners will still need to submit an application to the city with a $300 application fee for each property. Those renting rooms or homes will still need to have a city business license and remit a 5% guest room tax.
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will host six World Cup matches. The first is on June 16, 2026, and the last on July 11, 2026. There are also three locations identified for Team Base Camps, where teams train and fans congregate ahead of the group stage matches.
Those are at Children’s Mercy Park, KC Stadium and Rock Chalk Park. Parkville officials said players, coaches, staff, fans and international media are expected to arrive up to two weeks before the first match, which is why they opted for a three-month window beginning in May for its limited short-term rental rules.
Alderman Tina Welch raised concern about parking. The current rules require one dedicated space per rental. She worried a large group might rent a large home and come with multiple cars, putting a strain on neighbors.
Alderman Philip Wasmer suggested the city require property owners to specify in their listing a request for one car per unit.
Alderman Douglas Wylie expressed worry about how to be sure people do not continue to lease after the designated period ends. Alderman Abby Lackamp expected declining demand after the event ends will make that happen. Alderman Bob Bennett added that the typical homeowner in the city will be back in their homes by the end of the event because they’ll have kids going back to school in August.
Despite those concerns, the measure ed unanimously.
Some remarked that the World Cup could be a trial run for the possibility of enacting a similar limited-time change should some other big event come to the metro.
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