City of Tulsa Hotel Tax Proposition No. 1Tulsa hotel room tax: raise from 5% to 9.9%
What your vote means
Tulsa's hotel room tax rises from 5% to 9.9% starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Tulsa's hotel room tax stays at 5%.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- Asks Tulsa voters to approve a city law (Ordinance No. 25830) that raises the tax added to hotel room bills from 5% to 9.9%. source: cityoftulsa.org
- It applies to hotel and short-term rental stays (like Airbnb). Food, drinks and parking are not taxed by it. source: tulsacouncil.org
- If approved, the new rate starts January 1, 2027. The city's materials don't give an end date. source: tulsacouncil.org
- City plan: the money goes to running, fixing up and promoting city event buildings (BOK Center, Arvest Convention Center, Tulsa Performing Arts Center) and to bringing business to Tulsa. The city plans to borrow $80 million for BOK Center and convention center upgrades and pay it back from this tax. source: tulsacouncil.org
- The 5% rate has been in place since 1984, according to the city council and news reports. source: newson6.com
- The City Council voted unanimously in July 2026 to send the question to voters. source: newson6.com
Cost: Paid by people staying in Tulsa hotels or short-term rentals: 9.9% of the room charge instead of 5%. The city estimates the tax brings in about $10.4 million a year now and $20.6 million at the new rate (the city's page doesn't make clear whether $20.6 million is the total or the extra). Source: https://www.tulsacouncil.org/hotel
Why people want it, and why others object
Why supporters want it
- Council Chair Karen Gilbert: tourism is a vital part of Tulsa's economy and the measure is an investment in the city's future. source: tulsacouncil.org
- Visit Tulsa / tourism leaders: money paid by visitors would be reinvested in the BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center, which they say need updates; the rate has not changed since 1984. source: kjrh.com
- Metro Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association: 9.9% would put Tulsa roughly in line with similar cities (OKC 9.25%, Norman about 10%, Enid about 12%). source: newson6.com
- City: borrowing paid back only from the hotel tax lets the city fix up its event buildings without raising taxes on residents. source: tulsacouncil.org
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
We have not yet found the official wording of this question. Check your sample ballot on the OK Voter Portal .
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.