Updated 1 November 2026
Every hotel licence Kenya operators hold is issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) as a Class A licence. Under Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025, a hotel pays a one-off KSh 1,000 application fee and an annual fee set by its bed capacity, room rate and facilities: KSh 8,500 for a hotel of up to ten beds charging KSh 1,500 or less a night, rising to KSh 65,000 for a resort with more than 301 beds, a casino and a golf course or racecourse. This guide gives the full hotel fee ladder, fees for motels, lodges and camps, the documents TRA wants and the renewal rules.
Updated 1 November 2026 from the Tourism (Tourism Enterprises) Regulations, 2025, First Schedule (a), and TRA’s Class A page.
Hotel licence Kenya fees by size
| Hotel description (as gazetted) | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| 1 to 10 beds, or minimum nightly charge KSh 1,500 or less | KSh 8,500 |
| 1 to 10 beds, minimum nightly charge over KSh 1,500 | KSh 12,000 |
| 11 to 40 beds (with or without a restaurant), charge KSh 1,500 or less | KSh 15,500 |
| 11 to 40 beds, charge over KSh 1,500 | KSh 22,500 |
| More than one restaurant and bar, or 41 to 80 beds, plus a function room | KSh 30,000 |
| At least three restaurants, bars, pool, or 81 to 120 beds, plus function and syndicate rooms | KSh 37,000 |
| 121 to 160 beds, plus banqueting and sports facilities | KSh 44,000 |
| 161 to 200 beds, plus health club | KSh 51,000 |
| 201 to 300 beds, plus casino | KSh 58,000 |
| Above 301 beds, plus golf or racecourse | KSh 65,000 |
All categories also pay a KSh 1,000 application fee once. Source: Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025.
Fees for other Class A accommodation
| Enterprise | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Members clubs, motels, inns, hostels | KSh 15,500 |
| Health and spa resorts, retreat lodges, villas, beach cottages, time shares | KSh 37,000 |
| Eco lodges, tree houses, floatels, holiday cottages, bandas | KSh 30,000 |
| Game lodges | KSh 30,000 to 51,000 by size |
| Tented camps; safari and mobile camps | KSh 72,000 |
| Service apartments | KSh 12,000 (1 unit) to KSh 65,000 (21+ units) |
| Guest houses | KSh 8,500 (1-2 beds) to KSh 30,000 (13+ beds) |
| Homestays | KSh 1,500 to 4,500 (application KSh 500) |
| Cultural homes and centres | KSh 3,000 |
Short-stay hosts on Airbnb or Booking.com usually fall under guest houses, service apartments or homestays; our Airbnb TRA licence guide covers that case.
Classification and accreditation fees
Separate from the licence, hotels and restaurants (Class A and B) pay KSh 100,000 for accreditation and KSh 250,000 for classification or reclassification (star rating). TRA grades accredited Class A and B enterprises in a national exercise, and an established hotel that fails to request accreditation or classification within six months of the national exercise commits an offence. Advertising a star rating TRA has not published is also an offence.
Documents TRA asks hotels for
- Certificate of registration or incorporation (and Memorandum and Articles for companies)
- CR12 and/or ID copies of the directors; KRA PIN certificate (company KRA PIN guide)
- CV and professional certificates of the manager, and the manager’s appointment letter
- Copy of the menu and tariff where applicable
- Health clearance certificate under three months old, and medical certificates for food handlers
- Entry permits for non-Kenyan staff and an affidavit for non-resident directors
- Lease or title deed for the premises; evidence of insurance cover
- NEMA “no objection” letter, and an EIA for new facilities or an environmental audit for existing ones (EIA is listed as required for beach hotels)
- Compliance with tourism or area development plans
Source: TRA Class A licensing page, checked 1 November 2026.
How to apply for a hotel licence in Kenya
- Register the business and get the KRA PIN.
- Complete NEMA, public health and fire approvals for the building.
- Apply on TRA’s TRIMS portal and pay the KSh 1,000 application fee.
- Host the TRA inspection.
- Pay the annual fee for your bed and facility category.
- Take the TRA licence to the county for your single business permit; the county may not issue it without the TRA licence.
- Display the licence and, once classified, the TRA plaque at the main entrance.
Renewal and penalties
- Licences expire on 31 December; renew three months early.
- Late renewal: 10% of the fee for every month of default.
- Unlicensed accommodation may not be listed on any booking platform.
- Penalty for operating unlicensed: up to KSh 100,000, 18 months in jail, or both.
- Keep guest, employee and trainee records for at least five years and submit monthly data to TRA.
Looking at the market? See Kenya’s tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a hotel licence in Kenya?
KSh 1,000 once, then KSh 8,500 to KSh 65,000 a year depending on beds, nightly rate and facilities.
Who issues hotel licences in Kenya?
The Tourism Regulatory Authority, with the county issuing the separate business permit.
How much is TRA hotel classification?
KSh 250,000 for classification or reclassification and KSh 100,000 for accreditation for Class A and B enterprises.
Do hostels and motels pay less?
Yes. Motels, inns, hostels and members clubs pay KSh 15,500 a year.
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