Short-term rental rules · St. Louis, Missouri
Short-term rentals in St. Louis, explained properly.
This page covers the City of St. Louis, Missouri, an independent city (not St. Louis County). Under the City Code a short-term rental (30 days or less) needs a yearly City permit; rentals that are not the host's principal residence are capped at four per owner and by a share of units per building, and in "A" Single-Family zones need a conditional use permit. The City says a court order bars it from enforcing that permit ordinance, so it has paused permits while the order is in effect. Separately, since 2026 every operator needs a City short-term rental business license and pays a 3% license fee on the base nightly rate. Missouri sales tax rules also apply (see state law below).
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are short-term rentals allowed? | Yes under the City Code: short-term rentals are a permitted use in every zoning district except the "A" Single-Family district, where they are a conditional use; the Code also requires a City permit, but the City says a court order currently bars it from enforcing the permit ordinance[1][2][3]ClauseClauseClauseClause |
| Court order: is the permit ordinance being enforced? | No, according to the City: its Building Division says a court order prohibits the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729, and that while the order is in effect it is not accepting permit applications, inspecting units, issuing permits or conditional use permits for "A" Single-Family districts, or enforcing the permit requirements[4][3]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClause |
| City short-term rental permit required (Code)? | Yes under the Code: no one may rent all or part of a dwelling unit as a short-term rental without first getting a short-term rental permit from the Building Division, applied for every year; the City says it is not enforcing this while the court order is in effect[2][3]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClauseClause |
| Occupied (primary residence) vs non-occupied permits | There are two permit types: "occupied" for a unit that is the principal residence of the owner or of the owner's authorized tenant, and "non-occupied" for any other unit; a person can have only one principal residence, and only non-occupied permits face the per-owner and building caps[2][3]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClauseClause |
| Caps on non-occupied rentals (per owner and per building) | A non-occupied applicant can hold at most four non-occupied permits for units owned by the same owner, and applicants must be natural persons; buildings are capped: up to 2 permits in a 2-unit building, 1 non-occupied permit (and no more than 50% of units) in a 3- or 4-unit building, no new non-occupied permits once over 25% of units in a 5 to 23-unit building or over 12.5% in a building of 24 or more units[2][3]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClauseClause |
| "A" Single-Family zoning district: conditional use | In "A" Single-Family zoning districts a short-term rental is a conditional use, and the Code bars a non-occupied permit there without a conditional use permit; the City says it has paused issuing these conditional use permits under the court order[1][2][4]ClauseClauseClause |
| Not eligible with tax increment financing or tax abatement | A non-occupied short-term rental is not eligible for a permit in a building or on a parcel that benefits from tax increment financing (TIF) or tax abatement, for the term of the agreement[2]Clause |
| Minimum stay of two nights | A unit offering a minimum stay of less than two nights cannot get a permit, and a permit is revoked if the unit is found offering stays shorter than two nights[2]Clause |
| City short-term rental business license required? | Yes: under Ordinance 72095 (effective February 23, 2026), from 60 days after it took effect every short-term rental operator needs a short-term rental business license from the License Collector; one license covers all of an operator's units in the City[5][6][7]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClause |
Watch this market
Want to know when St. Louis's rules change?
We watch St. Louis's official rule pages, council agendas and Missouri legislation. When a change affecting short-term rentals is proposed or passed, we email you what changed, when it takes effect, and a link to the source.
Alerts are free. Own in several cities? Pro will track every rule for your whole portfolio.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
Detailed rules
The full picture, section by section
Permits, platforms and enforcement
| How to apply for a permit (Code) | Apply every year to the Building Division with a $150 non-refundable fee and pass a Building Division inspection; the application lists the address, parking, the short-term rental agent and the owner's written approval, with affirmations that no HOA, condo, lease or covenant bars short-term rentals and that the owner or renter owes no City taxes or bills; a non-occupied permit also needs a graduated business license[2][3]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClauseClause Sections 25.57.050 and 25.57.060 set the application contents for occupied and non-occupied permits: the dwelling unit address; the applicant's (and, for non-occupied permits, the agent's) contact details; a signed acknowledgment of the chapter; the number and location of parking spaces; an agreement to use best efforts so guests do not disrupt the neighborhood; the owner's written approval; written house rules to post (noise limits, occupancy limit, consequences of violations); an affirmation that the property is not subject to homeowner association, condominium, covenant, lease or building restrictions barring short-term rentals; and an affirmation that the owner or renter owes no real estate, personal property or earnings tax, water and refuse bills, business license fees or short-term rental fees to the City. The application must be complete before the Building Division's inspection. A permit is denied if the property has an unresolved nuisance violation or any unresolved City violation (section 25.57.100). The Board of Public Service adopted rules for the program on April 30, 2024 (not read for this page). The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
|---|---|
| Permits cannot be transferred | A permit covers only the dwelling unit it was issued for and cannot be transferred to another person or entity[2]ClauseClause Section 25.57.040(B) and (C). |
| Permit number in online listings | The short-term rental agent must make sure the permit number appears on every online listing, and platforms must make sure each listing shows a permit number[2]ClauseClause Sections 25.57.080(F) and 25.57.130(C), (H). The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
| Booking platform duties (Code) | Platforms need their own City permit ($500 application fee), may list only permitted rentals, must remove unpermitted or revoked listings within 7 days of City notice, and may not complete bookings for rentals that are not on the City's registry[2]ClauseClauseClause Section 25.57.130 requires a permit for any short-term rental platform operating with properties in the City, with a $500 non-refundable application fee; the platform must limit City listings to those with a valid permit, remove properties within seven days of the City's notice of a revoked or lost permit, provide a phone line and a link to the City's complaint portal, give hosts compliance information before listing, and prompt hosts to include the permit number. Platforms may not complete booking transactions for a property in the City unless it is on the Building Commissioner's registry when the platform receives a fee (with a two-day grace period after a permit expires or is revoked). The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
| Penalties and revocation | Under the permit ordinance: three violation notices at a property within 24 months mean revocation and no permits for that property for up to 12 months, and each fully adjudicated municipal court violation carries a $500 fine; under the business license ordinance: $250 to $500 per violation, each day a separate offense[2][5]ClauseClauseClauseClause Section 25.57.110(B) requires the City to revoke existing permits and reject applications for a property for up to 12 consecutive months when three violation notices are sent about law violations and nuisances at the same property within 24 consecutive months; permit holders get 30 days to fix violations and may appeal a revocation within 30 days. Fully adjudicated municipal court violations at a short-term rental unit carry a $500 fine each (section 25.57.110(C)), and each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense (section 25.57.110(D)). The Building Commissioner may start a permit review or revocation on the first violation or complaint (section 25.57.110(E)); denials and revocations are appealed in writing to the Building Commissioner within 30 business days, then to the Circuit Court (section 25.57.110(F)). Separately, Section Seven of Ordinance 72095 sets a fine of $250 to $500 for an operator violating the business license ordinance, each day a separate offense. The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
Operating rules (Code)
| Occupancy limit | Guests are limited to the occupancy load set by the Building Commissioner under the City's residential code; the Code gives no fixed number[2]Clause Section 25.57.070(B). The posted permit must show the maximum occupancy (section 25.57.070(I)). The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
|---|---|
| One booking party; no events or food service | Only one contract (one party) per rental period; no use as reception, party or meeting space; no food service by the permit holder (pre-packaged food and drinks are allowed)[2]ClauseClauseClause Section 25.57.070(C), (D) and (E). The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
| Safety equipment, signs and posting | Smoke detectors inside and outside every bedroom, carbon monoxide alarms outside every bedroom and a charged fire extinguisher on every habitable floor; no exterior signs except a 1-foot by 1-foot City marker; the permit, with the agent's contact details, maximum occupancy and parking limit, must be posted inside[2]ClauseClauseClause Section 25.57.070(F), (H) and (I). The posted permit must show the agent's name, address, phone number and email, the permit number, the maximum occupancy and the maximum number of vehicles that may be parked at the unit. The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
| Short-term rental agent (24/7 contact) | Every rental needs a designated short-term rental agent who is reachable at all times during a rental and can be on site within one hour; for an occupied rental the agent is the principal resident[2]ClauseClauseClauseClause Section 25.57.080 lists the agent's duties: be available to address problems at all times during the rental, be able to be physically present within one hour, keep their name and emergency number posted in the unit, keep copies of violation notices, monitor compliance and make sure the permit number is on every online listing. The owner may serve as agent. For an occupied rental the agent is the principal resident (section 25.57.030(C)). A change of agent must be reported within ten business days or before the next rental, whichever is sooner (section 25.57.070(G)). The City's Building Division says a court order bars the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729 (the permit ordinance behind this rule) and that it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect (see Court order, above). |
City taxes and fees
| City short-term rental license fee (Proposition S) | 3% of the rent, defined as the base nightly rate before any other fees, surcharges or taxes, charged on every short-term rental and paid quarterly by the operator to the License Collector[5][7][2]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClause Section Three of Ordinance 72095 imposes, following voter approval of Proposition S in November 2024, a license fee of three percent of the rent for each short-term rental, imposed on the operator. Rent means the base nightly rate charged before any additional fees, surcharges or taxes imposed by the operator, the platform or state or local law (Section One); the License Collector's notice lists cleaning charges and platform service fees among the items excluded. The City's court order notice (2025) said collection of the Proposition S fee was paused under the court order; the 2026 ordinance and the License Collector's March 2026 notice now require it. Other City taxes: the Code says short-term rentals are subject to applicable state and local taxes, including the hotel-motel room taxes the License Collector collects (sections 25.57.040(J), 25.57.120); their rates and how they apply to short-term rentals were not read, so no rate or combined total is given. |
|---|---|
| License fee returns and platform collection | File quarterly returns with the License Collector (due April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31) reporting nights rented and base rent; platforms collect the fee only if they sign a voluntary agreement with the License Collector, otherwise the operator must collect and remit it[5][7]ClauseClauseClauseClause Section Six of Ordinance 72095 makes the fee payable quarterly for the preceding quarter, with returns reporting the nights rented and the rent; the License Collector may examine the operator's books. Section Three says platform collection is entirely voluntary and, unless a voluntary collection agreement is in effect between a platform and the License Collector, the operator alone is responsible for collecting and remitting the fee. An operator is not penalized for a contracted platform's failure to remit (Section Seven). The License Collector's notice repeats these terms. The sources read do not say which platforms, if any, have signed an agreement. |
State law that also applies
| Missouri state sales tax on lodging | Missouri's sales tax statute taxes charges for rooms furnished at hotels, motels, inns, tourist cabins and other places in which rooms are regularly served to the public at 4%; the Department of Revenue gives the total state sales tax rate as 4.225%[8][9]ClauseClauseClause Section 144.020.1(6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri imposes a tax equivalent to four percent on the amount of sales or charges for all rooms, meals and drinks furnished at any hotel, motel, tavern, inn, restaurant, eating house, drugstore, dining car, tourist cabin, tourist camp or other place in which rooms, meals or drinks are regularly served to the public. The Department of Revenue says the state sales and use tax is 4.225 percent in total, split among General Revenue (3.0 percent), Education (1.0 percent), Conservation (0.125 percent) and Parks/Soils (0.10 percent), and that cities, counties and special taxing districts may add their own sales taxes. The sources read do not say whether, or when, a privately owned home rented for short stays counts as a place in which rooms are regularly served to the public; check with the Department of Revenue. City and county taxes are shown on each place's page. |
|---|---|
| Do booking platforms collect the state sales tax? | No Missouri statute or Department of Revenue statement was found that requires booking platforms to collect the state sales tax on stays; the marketplace facilitator law covers use tax on sales delivered into Missouri and does not cover travel agency services, which it defines to include facilitating hotel or other lodging accommodations[10]ClauseClauseClause Section 144.752, in effect since January 1, 2023, requires marketplace facilitators that do business in Missouri to register with the Department of Revenue to collect and remit use tax on sales made through their marketplaces that are delivered into the state. The section's definition of a marketplace facilitator does not include a person with respect to the provision of travel agency services, which it defines as facilitating, for a commission, fee or other consideration, travel packages, travel reservations, tickets, or hotel or other lodging accommodations. The Department of Revenue pages read do not say whether booking platforms collect state sales tax on short-term rental stays; check with the platform and the Department of Revenue. City rules on platform collection of city taxes are shown on each place's page. |
| Statewide short-term rental law? | No statewide short-term rental license, ban or limit on local rules was found in the Revised Statutes of Missouri; House bills in 2025 and 2026 on the property tax classification of homes used as short-term rentals did not pass[11][12]ClauseClauseClauseClauseClause A word search of the Revised Statutes of Missouri found no section regulating the short-term rental of homes, so local rules apply. In the 2026 Regular Session, House Bill 1768 (combined with HB 2060), which modifies provisions relating to the classification of certain residential real property used for short-term rentals, was sent to the Senate, which adopted its own substitute; its last action, on May 15, 2026, was referral to the House Fiscal Review Committee, and the House bill page shows it was not truly agreed to and finally passed. In the 2025 Regular Session, House Bill 1086 on the same subject was last voted do pass by a Senate committee on May 1, 2025. A similar bill could be filed in a later session. |
Changes
Recent and pending changes
We read the City of St. Louis short-term rental ordinance (Revised Code Chapter 25.57, from Ordinance 71729) and the Zoning Code's short-term rental chapter (Chapter 26.76, from Ordinances 71730 and 71940) on Municode, Ordinance 72095 (short-term rental business license and 3% fee) on the City's website, the Building Division's Short-Term Rental Permits page and court order notice, and the License Collector's March 2026 notice. We searched the Board of Aldermen's board bills from the 2019-2020 to 2026-2027 sessions for short-term rental, lodging and zoning code bills: no pending bill on short-term rentals was found. A lawsuit over Ordinance 71729 is pending in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis; the City says a court order bars it from enforcing the permit ordinance, and we could not read the court's later orders. We will watch the Code, the City's short-term rental pages and Board of Aldermen bills.
On April 22, 2025 a court order prohibited the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729, and on May 5, 2025 a court extended it for fifteen more days, according to the City's Building Division. The City paused permit applications, inspections, permits, conditional use permits in "A" Single-Family districts and fee collection until the order expires or is modified, and says it is not enforcing the permit requirements while the order is in effect. The City pages read give no later update; the outcome could change every permit rule on this page.
Ordinance 72095, effective February 23, 2026, requires every short-term rental operator to hold a short-term rental business license from the License Collector (starting 60 days after the effective date) and to pay the 3% license fee approved by voters as Proposition S in November 2024.
Ordinance 71940 (December 10, 2024) updated the Zoning Code's short-term rental chapter so that short-term rentals are permitted in every zoning district except "A" Single-Family districts, where they are a conditional use, matching the permit ordinance.
Sources
Every rule above links to one of these
Newsletter
Not tracking St. Louis specifically?
One email a month with STR rule changes across the US markets we track.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
Questions
Managing properties in several cities?
Tell us what you're trying to decide and which markets you operate in. We read every message.
This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.