LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – The City of Lawton has upgraded the system used to keep track of short term rental properties, such as Airbnbs or hotels in general.
The change will better let them know who’s not in compliance with the Hotel/Motel Tax.
Before, the city didn’t have any way of knowing who was operating a short term rental property.
At the same time, the upgrade will let property owners go online and register.
There are 250 active properties at the moment, but only half of those are actually licensed, according to city officials.
City officials also said the revenue collected from the Hotel/Motel Tax go toward tourism areas such as the Farmers Market, Museums and the Chamber of Commerce, securing funding for popular community events.
”Without this tax, then the Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority or the Chamber, they have to look at other avenues to fund Holiday in the Park or Freedom Festival,” said Community Services Director Charlotte Brown. “We have to find other avenues to fund those big events and those are big draws for the community. We always look forward to those events when they come up.”
Notices will be sent out to those not licensed around December 1.
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