Johnson County is a dual-anchor market defined by two large institutions that together shape virtually every aspect of its rental economy: the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in Warrensburg, one of Missouri’s largest public universities with approximately 10,000 students, and Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, home of the 509th Bomb Wing and the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. With approximately 55,000 residents, a median age of just 32 years (reflecting the student and military population), and a homeownership rate of approximately 63% (meaning a relatively high ~37% renter share), Johnson County has one of the most active rental markets of any Missouri county its size. The county seat is Warrensburg (~20,000), which serves as both the commercial center and the primary rental market. All evictions file with the 17th Judicial Circuit at the Johnson County Courthouse, 300 North Holden Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Circuit Clerk: (660) 422-7413. The 17th Circuit also serves Cass County. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Missouri state law (RSMo Chapters 441, 534, and 535).
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Missouri state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
Johnson County has no county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Warrensburg and Knob Noster maintain their own property maintenance codes. Warrensburg has the most active code enforcement presence given its size and density. Landlords should confirm current requirements with the applicable municipality.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Johnson County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Missouri does not cap security deposit amounts. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized deduction list (RSMo §535.300). For student tenants, require co-signers and document move-in condition thoroughly. For military tenants, see SCRA notes below.
SCRA — Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Applies to Whiteman AFB military tenants. Active-duty servicemembers at Whiteman who receive PCS or deployment orders of 90+ days may terminate a lease with 30 days written notice plus a copy of their orders. This is a federal statutory right. Do not attempt to enforce early termination penalties against SCRA-protected tenants. Consult a Missouri attorney before evicting any active-duty tenant. See the Pulaski County page for detailed SCRA explanation.
17th Judicial Circuit
All Johnson County evictions file with the 17th Judicial Circuit at the Johnson County Courthouse, 300 North Holden Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Circuit Clerk: (660) 422-7413. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 17th Circuit also serves Cass County (with courthouse in Harrisonville). Johnson County matters file in Warrensburg.
Business Entity Requirement
LLCs, corporations, and partnerships must be represented by a licensed Missouri attorney in landlord-tenant proceedings. Individual owners may appear pro se.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Johnson County Courthouse
17th Judicial Circuit — Warrensburg
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State statutes that apply throughout Johnson County
⚡ Quick Overview
0 (can file immediately when rent is past due)
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
10
Days Notice (Violation)
21-60
Avg Total Days
$$25-75
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice TypeRent and Possession Petition (no advance notice required for nonpayment)
Notice Period0 (can file immediately when rent is past due) days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay and stay before judgment; also after judgment before writ execution date
Days to Hearing5-21 days
Days to Writ10 days after judgment (appeal period) days
Total Estimated Timeline21-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$100-400
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Missouri does NOT require advance notice for nonpayment - landlord can file Rent and Possession immediately after rent is due. No demand required if tenant owes 1+ full month rent (lawsuit itself is deemed sufficient demand). Petition must include: exact street address; lease terms (quote entire lease or attach copy); amount of rent due at time of filing; allegation that rent was demanded and not paid. STRONG pay-and-stay right: before judgment tenant pays rent + costs to stay; after judgment tenant pays full judgment amount before writ execution date. Landlord CANNOT refuse payment. Two separate tracks: Rent-and-Possession (Ch. 535 for nonpayment only) vs. Unlawful Detainer (Ch. 534 for violations). Late charges may be challenged as illegal penalties unless defined as liquidated damages in lease. Entities (LLC/Corp) MUST have attorney.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Associate Circuit Court - Rent and Possession (Ch. 535). Pay the filing fee (~$$25-75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Missouri eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Missouri attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Johnson County
Cities and communities
Warrensburg Knob Noster Holden Odessa Kingsville
Johnson County
Screen Before You Sign
Two tenant types: UCM students (co-signers required, academic-year leases) and Whiteman AFB military (SCRA applies — PCS orders can break leases). ~37% renter-occupied = strong demand. Median age 32. File at 300 N. Holden, Warrensburg.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Johnson County, Missouri
Johnson County sits at the intersection of two of Missouri’s most stable rental demand drivers: a major public university and a U.S. Air Force base. The University of Central Missouri — with approximately 10,000 students on its Warrensburg campus, making it one of the largest universities in Missouri — and Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the 509th Bomb Wing and the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, together create a rental market that is more active and more structurally resilient than a county of 55,000 residents might otherwise produce. The county’s homeownership rate of approximately 63% means roughly 37% of households rent — significantly above Missouri’s statewide average — and the median age of approximately 32 years reflects the youth-dominant demographic of the combined student and military population.
The University Market: UCM
UCM is one of Missouri’s comprehensive public universities, offering graduate programs, professional programs, and NCAA Division II athletics. Its campus sits in the heart of Warrensburg, and its student population drives substantial demand for off-campus housing within walking and biking distance of campus. The standard college-market lease protocols apply: require co-signers (parents or guardians) for students who cannot independently meet income qualification thresholds, use academic-year lease structures (August through May or June) rather than calendar-year leases, and document move-in condition with extreme thoroughness. Student housing near campus commands a premium over comparable off-campus housing further away. UCM also employs a significant number of faculty and staff who represent a stable professional rental market in Warrensburg.
The Military Market: Whiteman AFB
Whiteman Air Force Base is located near Knob Noster, approximately 10 miles east of Warrensburg. The base generates significant off-post rental demand in both Knob Noster and Warrensburg, as many military families choose to live off-base rather than in base housing. The same SCRA dynamics that apply to Pulaski County’s Fort Leonard Wood market apply here: active-duty servicemembers may terminate leases with 30 days written notice upon receipt of PCS or deployment orders of 90 or more days. This is a federal statutory right that cannot be waived by lease language. Build your military-tenant leasing model around the reality of PCS turnover rather than attempting to prevent it through lease terms. Military income (Base Allowance for Housing plus base pay) is reliable, government-backed, and transparent — verify through LES (Leave and Earnings Statement).
The 17th Judicial Circuit
All Johnson County evictions file with the 17th Judicial Circuit at the Johnson County Courthouse, 300 North Holden Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Circuit Clerk: (660) 422-7413. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 17th Circuit also serves Cass County (courthouse in Harrisonville); Johnson County matters file exclusively in Warrensburg. The Johnson County Courthouse lawn features the famous Old Drum statue, commemorating the 1870 trial whose closing argument gave rise to the phrase “man’s best friend.” LLCs and business entities must retain a licensed Missouri attorney for all proceedings.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Johnson County, Missouri and is not legal advice. The SCRA is federal law and requires attorney guidance. Always verify current requirements with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court or a licensed Missouri attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
