WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT

THE FACTS

It's the only tax we don't pay!
Tulsa voters will decide whether to increase the city’s Hotel Guest Tax from 5% to 9.9% on short-term stays in hotels, motels, inns and short-term rental properties (like Airbnb or Vrbo).
WHAT IS A HOTEL GUEST TAX?

A FEE ON SHORT STAYS,
NOTHING ELSE

A Hotel Guest Tax (also called a lodging tax) is a fee added to the cost of a short-term stay — hotels, motels, inns and short-term rentals. It does not apply to food, drinks, parking or other hotel services.
HOW TULSA COMPARES

EVERY PEER CITY HAS
ALREADY UPDATED THEIRS

12%
Enid
10%
Norman
9.25%
Oklahoma City
9.25%
Midwest City
5%
Tulsa (current)
9.9%
Tulsa (proposed)
Tulsa's rate has not changed in more than 40 years. Every comparable city in the region has already updated theirs.
WHAT IT GENERATES

NEARLY DOUBLE THE REVENUE

$10M/yr
Current 5% rate generates approximately
$20.6M/yr
Proposed 9.9% rate would generate an estimated
WHERE THE MONEY GOES

EVERY DOLLAR
HAS A PURPOSE

54%

Improvements and repairs to Tulsa’s favorite entertainment venues

40%

Convention recruitment and bringing visitors to Tulsa to contribute to our economy

4.5%

Economic development through TAEO/PartnerTulsa and Tulsa’s Future

2%

Auditing and administrative costs to make sure funds are used as intended

HOW THE FUNDING WILL BE PHASED

FACILITY NEEDS FIRST,
THEN GROWTH

Revenue from the Hotel Guest Tax will support tourism facilities, destination marketing, economic development initiatives and related public needs as authorized by the City. The funding allocation is structured to first address critical facility improvements and long-term financial obligations, then gradually increase investment in tourism promotion and visitor attraction efforts over time.

JAN 1, 2027
If approved, the new rate takes effect

WHO'S EXEMPT

Tulsa residents are not charged this tax in their everyday lives — it only applies if you book an overnight stay of fewer than 30 consecutive days at a Tulsa hotel, motel or short-term rental.

Permanent residents of a property (30+ consecutive days) are exempt.

The U.S. government, State of Oklahoma and other tax-exempt government entities are exempt.

100% permanently disabled veterans, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are exempt.

HOW WE GOT HERE

MORE THAN A YEAR OF
PUBLIC PROCESS

10
televised council meetings
01

public tour of city facilities to assess needs

01

community town hall

∞

online public feedback form

Ballot mark reading 03 for November 3
VOTE YES ON

NOVEMBER

Tourists Pay. Tulsa Wins. Better venues, more visitors, stronger local jobs.
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