St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.010 Title.
25.57.010 - Title.
This chapter shall be known as the "City of St. Louis Short-Term Rental Ordinance."
(Ord. No. 71729, § 1, 11-6-2023.)
SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
St. Louis Revised Code tit. 25, ch. 25.57
in effectSt. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.020 Intent.
25.57.020 - Intent.
It is the purpose of this chapter to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of individuals and the community at large to facilitate and provide reasonable means for residents to mitigate impacts created by occupancy of short-term rental units and to implement rationally based, reasonably tailored regulations to protect the integrity of the City's neighborhoods.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 2, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.030 Definitions and general provisions.
25.57.030 - Definitions and general provisions.
A. Dwelling unit, for purposes of this chapter, means a room or group of rooms with cooking and sanitary facilities, occupied or arranged for occupancy by a single family, as defined in the existing zoning code.
B. Short-term rental is a lodging use, that is not a hotel or motel, RV park or campground, any type of institutional dwelling, time share property, or bed and breakfast. "Short-term rental" means a rental of any dwelling unit, in whole or in part, within the City of St. Louis, to any person(s) for transient use, other than (1) in a permitted bed and breakfast; (2) ongoing month to month tenancy for the same dwelling; or (3) home exchange for which there is no payment. "Short-term rental" allows residential occupancy of the rented dwelling for a term of thirty (30) days or less, and requires that the short-term rental use is permitted to operate pursuant to a current and valid permit on file with the City.
C. Short-term rental agent means a person or organization authorized by the short-term rental owner, as the operator of a short-term rental unit on the short-term rental permit application. Such an operator shall be available for and responsive to contact at all times. The short-term rental agent of short-term rental, occupied shall be the principal resident, either the owner or the tenant/lessee of the owner and authorized by the owner for short-term rental.
D. Short-term rental, non-occupied means a short-term rental unit not used as a principal residence by either the owner or the tenant/lessee authorized by the owner for short-term rental.
E. Short-term rental, occupied means a short-term rental unit used as the principal residence by either the owner or the tenant/lessee of the owner and authorized by the owner for short-term rental. A resident can have only one (1) principal residence.
F. Short-term rental owner means the owner of record of the property as reflected in the City of St. Louis Assessor records.
G. Short-term rental permit is the permit issued by the Building Division of the City of St. Louis to the short-term rental owner or the designated short-term rental agent who has submitted the required documentation and met the requirements set forth in this chapter and in Chapter 25 of the Revised Code for operation of a short-term rental unit. Short-term rentals, non-occupied shall require a graduated business license to obtain a short-term rental permit. Short-term rental permits shall only be issued to natural persons, and not to business entities.
H. Short-term rental unit shall mean a dwelling unit, in whole or in part, used as a short-term rental. A short-term rental unit may be either a short-term rental, occupied or a short-term rental, non-occupied.
I. Short-term rental platform means a person or company who for compensation or a fee uses an internet platform to primarily list property rentals including short-term rentals as defined in this chapter.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 3, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.040 Short-term rental permit.
25.57.040 - Short-term rental permit.
A. No person shall rent, lease or otherwise exchange for compensation all or any portion of a dwelling unit as a short-term rental unit as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining a short-term rental permit pursuant to the regulations contained in this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require an owner of an owner-occupied property in which said owner resides and makes his primary residence to obtain a permit for long-term rental of a room in said home in which he or she lives, provided such owner is present and living in the home while the room is rented, or to require a general business license for a short-term rental, occupied.
B. No permittee shall transfer the right to operate under any permit issued under this chapter to any other person or entity by lease, agreement, contract or any other agreement.
C. A permit issued under this chapter shall grant the legal right to operate a short-term rental unit only at the dwelling unit for which it is issued.
D. No permit shall be issued for any short-term rental unit which offers a minimum stay of less than two (2) nights. After issuance of a permit, any short-term rental unit found to offer a minimum stay of less than two (2) nights shall be revoked.
E. No short-term rental, non-occupied unit located within a structure or upon a parcel benefited by tax increment financing or tax abatement shall be eligible for registration as a short-term rental, non-occupied unit during the term of the agreement.
F. Applicants for units within structures that only contain two (2) dwelling units shall be permitted to apply for up to two (2) short-term rental, non-occupied permits. Both of these permits shall count toward the permit holder's cap of four (4) short-term rental, non-occupied units.
G. No more than one (1) short-term rental, non-occupied permit shall be issued to applicants in a structure in which there are three (3) or four (4) units. The total percentage of units with short-term rental permits in a three (3) or four (4) unit structure cannot exceed fifty (50) percent.
H. No permits shall be issued for a short-term rental, non-occupied in a structure where there between five (5) and twenty three (23) dwelling units and over twenty five (25) percent of dwelling units in the structure have an active permit for a short-term rental, non-occupied unit.
I. No permits shall be issued for a short-term rental, non-occupied in a structure where there are twenty-four (24) or more dwelling units and over twelve and a half (12.5) percent of dwelling units in the structure have an active permit for a short-term rental, non-occupied.
J. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to alter, affect, supersede or conflict with the requirements of any State or federal law or of the City of St. Louis Revised Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to those within the City of St. Louis Zoning Ordinance, the building codes adopted by the City of St. Louis, and any taxes collected under the authorization of City, State or federal law including the hotel-motel room taxes which the City License Collector is authorized to collect under RSMo 67.657, RSMo 67.619, or any other law which requires registration with the License Collector, including but not limited to, the requirement of the provision of information as deemed necessary to confirm the type of business to be operated.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 4, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.050 Application for short-term rental, occupied permit.
25.57.050 - Application for short-term rental, occupied permit.
Applicants for a short-term rental permit for a short-term rental, occupied shall submit, on an annual basis, an application for a short-term rental permit to the Building Division.
A. The application for a short-term, occupied short-term rental permit shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00.) Such application shall require the following information, to be collected on a form provided by the Building Division, and shall be completed prior to the inspection required in the application process, which shall be conducted by the Building Division:
a. The address of the dwelling unit to be used as a short-term rental;
b. The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the owner, or tenant/lessee applying for the permit;
c. Signed acknowledgment that from the owner, or tenant/lessee applying for the permit that they have reviewed this chapter and understand its requirements;
d. The number and location of off street or on site parking spaces allotted to the premises;
e. The owner's or the tenant/lessee's agreement to use his or her best efforts to ensure that use of the premises by short-term rental occupants will not disrupt the neighborhood, and will not interfere with the rights of neighboring property owners to the quiet enjoyment of their properties; and
f. Any other information that this chapter requires and any other information required by the Building Commissioner in the execution of the application process as part of any application for a short-term rental permit, as determined by the Building Commissioner. The Building Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee shall have the authority to obtain additional information from the applicant as necessary to achieve the objectives of this chapter. The Building Commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary in the interest of public safety, public health and general welfare to interpret and implement the provisions of this chapter.
B. An application for a short-term rental, occupied shall be accompanied by a form requiring the applicant to affirm that the property to be used as a short-term rental, occupied is occupied by an owner who occupies the property as their primary residence. An individual may have only one (1) primary residence in the City of St. Louis. The applicant shall also affirm that the resident of the property has paid their personal property tax at the address of the proposed short-term rental, occupied unit for the previous tax period. The applicant shall also affirm that the property is not subject to any contractual restrictions, precluding the property from being used for short-term rentals, including but not limited to: homeowner association agreement, condominium bylaws, restrictive covenants, leases or building restrictions. The applicant shall affirm that the property owner or renter has no outstanding real estate taxes, bills for services of City liens associated with the property that is the subject of the application, nor does the owner or renter owe any other obligations to the City including: (a) personal property tax; (b) real estate tax on properties located in the City of St. Louis; (c) City of St. Louis earnings tax; (d) City of St. Louis water and refuse bills; (e) City of St. Louis business license fees; and (f) fees owed in connection with short-term rentals. Submission of an form containing false information will be cause for revocation of permit for short-term rental.
C. Attached to the submission of the application described in this section, the short-term rental permit applicant shall provide:
a. Written rules to be posted in the short-term rental unit, which must include: Acknowledgement that it shall be unlawful to allow or make any noise or sound that exceeds the limits set forth in the City's existing ordinances, including but not limited to Ordinance 67002 as may be amended, that regulate noise.
b. Acknowledgement and agreement that the maximum occupancy of a short-term rental unit is limited to the occupancy limit as determined by the Building Commissioner and, if available, the location and the amount of on site parking.
c. Acknowledgement and agreement that violations of this chapter by short-term rental agent, short-term rental owner, or short-term rental guest may result in immediate termination of the permit as well as the potential liability for payments of fines levied by the City; and
d. Written approval by the owner of the property for use of the property as a short-term rental.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 5, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.060 Application for short-term rental, non-occupied.
25.57.060 - Application for short-term rental, non-occupied.
A. Applicants for a short-term rental permit for a short-term rental, non-occupied shall submit, on an annual basis, an application for a short-term rental permit to the Building Division.
B. Certain dwelling districts. No short-term rental permit may be issued within a dwelling district zoned "A Single-Family" without a conditional use permit.
C. The application for a short-term rental, non-occupied permit shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). Such application shall require the following information, to be collected on a form provided by the Building Division, and shall be completed prior to the inspection required in the application process, which shall be conducted by the Building Division:
a. The address of the dwelling unit to be used as a short-term rental;
b. The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the owner, or tenant/lessee and short-term rental agent.
c. Signed acknowledgment that he or she has reviewed this chapter and understands its requirements;
d. The number and location of off street or on site parking spaces allotted to the premises;
e. The owner's or the tenant/lessee's and short-term rental agent's agreement to use his or her best efforts to ensure that use of the premises by short-term rental occupants will not disrupt the neighborhood, and will not interfere with the rights of neighboring property owners to the quiet enjoyment of their properties; and
f. Written approval by the owner of the property for use of the property as a short-term rental.
g. Any other information that this chapter requires and any other information required by the Building Commissioner in the execution of the application process as part of any application for a short-term rental permit, as determined by the Building Commissioner. The Building Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee shall have the authority to obtain additional information from the applicant as necessary to achieve the objectives of this chapter. The Building Commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary in the interest of public safety, public health and general welfare to interpret and implement the provisions of this chapter.
D. Attached to the submission of the application described in this section, the short-term rental permit applicant shall provide:
a. Written rules to be in the short-term rental unit, which must include: Acknowledgement that it shall be unlawful to allow or make any noise or sound that exceeds the limits set forth in the City's existing ordinances that regulate noise, including but not limited to Ordinance 67002.
b. Acknowledgement that the maximum occupancy of a short-term rental unit is limited to the occupancy limit as determined by the Building Commissioner and, if available, the location and the amount of on-site parking.
c. Acknowledgement and agreement that violations of this chapter by short-term rental agent, short-term rental owner, or short-term rental guest may result in immediate termination of the permit as well as the potential liability for payments of fines levied by the City; and
d. A form affirming that the property is not subject to any contractual restrictions, precluding the property from being used for short-term rentals, including but not limited to: homeowner association agreement, condominium bylaws, restrictive covenants, leases or building restrictions. The applicant shall affirm that the property owner or renter has no outstanding real estate taxes, bills for services of City liens associated with the property that is the subject of the application, nor does the owner or renter owe any other obligations to the City including: (a) personal property tax; (b) real estate tax on properties located in the City of St. Louis; (c) City of St. Louis earnings tax; (d) City of St. Louis water and refuse bills; (e) City of St. Louis business license fees; and (f) fees owed in connection with short-term rentals. Submission of false information will be cause for revocation of permit for short-term rental.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 6, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.070 Regulations.
25.57.070 - Regulations.
A. Any short-term rental, non-occupied applicant may be issued permits for no more than four (4) short-term rental units owned by the same property owner in the City of St. Louis. Applicants must be natural persons and applicants are limited to four (4) active short-term rental, non-occupied permits. No permits for a short-term rentals, non-occupied shall be issued to applicants in a structure for which the percentage limit of short-term rentals, non-occupied has already been reached as provided in Section 25.57.040.
B. Short-term rentals shall be made available only for the occupancy load to be determined by the Building Commissioner in accordance with the City's residential code, and that shall be the limit of persons that may occupy the dwelling unit being rented.
C. The permit holder of a short-term rental unit may not enter into a contract with more than one (1) party during any given rental period.
D. The short-term rental unit may not be rented or offered for use as reception space, party space, meeting space, or for other similar events.
E. No food service may be provided by the permit holder of the short-term rental; pre-packaged foods and beverages may be provided in the short-term rental unit and will not violate this provision.
F. No exterior evidence that the property is being used as a short-term rental shall be allowed, including signs, with the exception of a marker limited to one (1) foot by one (1) foot in size issued by the City of St. Louis.
G. If the short-term rental agent changes, the new short-term rental agent shall notify the City of St. Louis within ten (10) business days of the change or prior to any rental of the short-term rental, whichever is sooner.
H. The short-term rental unit shall have working smoke detectors inside and outside every bedroom, carbon monoxide alarms outside every bedroom, and a properly maintained and charged fire extinguisher on all habitable floors.
I. A legible copy of the short-term rental unit permit shall be posted within the unit, and include prominently all of the following information, in addition to any other information required by the Building Commissioner:
a. The name, address, telephone number and email address of the short-term rental agent;
b. The short-term rental unit permit number;
c. The maximum occupancy of the unit
d. The maximum number of vehicles that may be parked at the unit.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 7, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.080 Short-term rental agent.
25.57.080 - Short-term rental agent.
Every short-term rental shall have a short-term rental agent designated on the application for a short-term rental permit. Failure of the short-term rental agent to fulfill the duties listed below may result in the revocation of the short-term rental permit. A short-term rental owner may also serve as the short-term rental agent. The duties of the short-term rental agent are to:
A. Be available to address any problems at all times arising from the use of the short-term rental unit during the entire period of the rental;
B. The short-term rental agent must be able to be physically present at the address within one (1) hour if required. It is an obligation of the applicant to provide a short-term rental agent that can be on-site within one (1) hour if required.
C. Keep his or her name and emergency contact phone number posted in a readily visible place in the short-term rental unit;
D. Receive and retain a copy of any notice of violation related to the use or occupancy of the premises from the property owner;
E. Monitor the short-term rental unit for compliance with this chapter; and
F. Ensure that the short-term rental permit number is listed on each online listing.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 8, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.090 Publication of short-term rentals.
25.57.090 - Publication of short-term rentals.
All addresses for short-term rentals with a permit will be posted publicly on the City's website. All addresses for short-term rentals with a revoked permit shall be posted publicly on the City's website.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 9, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.100 Grant or denial of application.
25.57.100 - Grant or denial of application.
Review of a short-term rental permit application shall be conducted in accordance with due process principles and shall be granted unless the applicant fails to meet the conditions and requirements of this Chapter or federal or State law or local ordinance related to the operation of a short-term rental, or otherwise fails to demonstrate the ability to comply with local, State or federal law through the operation of the proposed short-term rental. No permit shall be granted to operate a short-term rental unit if the property is the subject of a unresolved nuisance violation and no permit shall be issued for any property with any unresolved City violations. Any false statements or information provided in the application are grounds for revocation and/or imposition of penalties, including denial of future applications.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 10, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.110 Provisions for revocation.
25.57.110 - Provisions for revocation.
A. To ensure the continued application of the intent and purpose of this chapter, the Building Division shall notify the short-term rental owner and the short-term rental agent of a short-term rental unit of all instances in which nuisance behavior of the rental guest or the conduct of his or her short-term rental unit agent results in a notification letter for a code violation or other legal infraction.
B. The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department shall maintain a record of all municipal violations of City ordinances and State law occurring at or relating to a short-term rental unit and communicate those violations regularly to the Building Division. Building inspectors, and other City departments, may also contribute violations to this record of violations. Violations may be incurred by the short-term rental owner, short-term rental agent, as well as short-term rental guests. When there are three (3) violation notices sent regarding law violations and nuisance instances at the same property within a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, the City shall revoke any existing permits and reject all applications for short-term rental permits for that particular property for a period of up to twelve (12) consecutive months. Any additional properties with the same owner that do not have three (3) consecutive violation notices within a twenty-four-month period shall remain valid, and the short-term rental agent of such additional properties may continue to serve as the short-term rental agent unless and until the underlying permit has been revoked. Permit holders shall be afforded an opportunity to rectify all violations within thirty (30) days to the satisfaction of the Building Commissioner. Further, the permit holder shall have the right to appeal the revocation decision within thirty (30) days of the date of revocation, as set forth in this chapter.
C. Fully adjudicated violations prosecuted in municipal court involving a property that is a short-term rental unit will be assessed a five hundred dollars ($500.00) fine per violation. Short-term rental permits that are revoked shall be posted on the official City website by the Building Commissioner.
D. Except as provided herein, any person violating the provisions of the Code shall be prosecuted as provided in this chapter. With respect to violations that are continuous with respect to time, each day the violation continues is a separate offense. Renter guests staying in short-term rentals who violate any City, State or federal law are subject to being charged with law violations. Nothing in this chapter shall be intended to limit the ability of the City to pursue any other remedies available to it under any law, federal, State or local.
E. The Building Commissioner has the power to initiate revocation of the permit when the subject property of the permit is not being operated in compliance with the short-term rental operating requirements set forth under this chapter and also to initiate revocation in the interest of the public welfare. The Building Commissioner may initiate permit review and potential revocation of the permit upon the first instance of a violation or a complaint. Nothing in this chapter limits existing powers of the Building Commissioner, including his ability to condemn properties for occupancy and to take emergency actions.
F. A short-term rental owner or short-term rental agent aggrieved by the City's decision to revoke or deny a short-term rental permit may appeal the decision in writing to the Building Commissioner. The appeal must be filed within thirty (30) business days of the adverse action and it shall contain a concise statement of the reasons for the appeal. The Building Commissioner or appointed designee shall consider and respond to the appeal in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt. The Building Commissioner shall adopt administrative rules which shall govern any such appeals. Such procedures and processes must conform to the constitutional principles of due process and shall provide notice and an opportunity to be heard. The Building Commissioner shall render a determination, which will constitute a final ruling. The decision of the Building Commissioner may be appealed to the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis.
G. Nothing in this section shall limit the City from enforcement of its Code, State or federal law by any other legal remedy available to the City. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or to supplant the power of any City inspector, Marshal, or other duly empowered officer under the City's ordinances, rules, and regulations and the authority granted under State law, as amended, to take necessary action, consistent with the law, to protect the public from property which constitutes a public nuisance or to abate a nuisance by any other lawful means or proceedings.
H. The assistance and cooperation of police, fire and health departments and all other officials shall be available to the Building Commissioner as required in the performance of his duties under this chapter.
I. The Building Division shall monitor a public intake portal through which residents can submit questions or complaints to the Building Division regarding short-term rentals.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 11, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.120 Taxes.
25.57.120 - Taxes.
Short-term rentals are subject to applicable State and local taxes and are responsible for payment thereof as established by State law and city ordinances, including all taxes set forth in Section 25.57.040 herein.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 12, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.130 Short-term rental platforms.
25.57.130 - Short-term rental platforms.
A. Permit required. A permit will be required for a short-term rental platform to operate utilizing properties in the jurisdiction of the City of St. Louis. The application for short-term rental platform shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00.) The permit application to be generated by the City shall include requirements as determined by the Building Commissioner, and such requirements shall include, but are not limited to: the short-term rental platform shall limit listings within the City of St. Louis to those with a valid short-term rental permit. Short-term rental platforms shall have the duty to remove properties with no such permit, and properties which have experienced a loss or revocation of such permit, from the platform. The City will notify the platform permit holder when the permit for such property's short-term rental has been revoked. Platforms shall remove properties that are no longer permitted within seven (7) days of the notice provided to the platform by the City. Failure to so remove such property from the platform shall result in a violation of this section, and may result in revocation of the permit issued to the short-term rental platform, as well as constituting a violation of this chapter.
B. The City shall post a list of all short-term rental platforms with a revoked permit and those with a valid permit publicly on the City's website.
C. Short-term rental platforms shall ensure that each listing for a short-term rental is accompanied by a short-term rental permit number.
D. Short-term rental platforms must provide a phone line and a link to the City's website portal for community members to submit concerns and complaints regarding short-term rentals in their neighborhood.
E. Short-term rental platforms must provide information regarding compliance with this chapter, and penalties for violation of this chapter to short-term rental agents prior to listing a short-term rental.
F. Within the first year of the ordinance's effective date, short-term rental platforms must meet with the Building Division to provide and receive feedback on implementation.
G. Short-term rental platforms that are properly permitted will be listed on the City's website as permitted platforms in the City of St. Louis.
H. Short-term rental platforms shall be required to prompt hosts to include the City-issued permit number in their listing(s). Hosting platforms shall not complete any booking transactions for any dwelling unit or other property purporting to be a short-term rental in the City unless it is listed on the City's registry to be created by the Building Commissioner, at the time the platform receives a fee for the booking transaction. However, no short-term rental platform shall be in violation of this subsection for any short-term rental transaction occurring fewer than two (2) days after the short-term rental permit expired or was revoked.
I. In addition to any other remedy provided by this chapter or allowed by law, the Building Commissioner may deny a permit or revoke a short-term rental platform permit for violations of this chapter. Such permit holder shall be notified in writing of the grounds for denial or revocation of such permit and of their right to appeal the decision.
J. The remedies provided for in this chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other legal remedies, civil or criminal, which may be pursued by the City to address any violation of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 13, 11-6-2023.)
St. Louis Revised Code § 25.57.140 Authority to prescribe additional rules and regulations.
25.57.140 - Authority to prescribe additional rules and regulations.
The Building Commissioner shall promulgate regulations as may be necessary and feasible for the carrying out of the intent of this chapter and the duties of the Commissioner that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations deemed necessary in the interest of public safety, public health and general welfare to interpret and implement the provisions of this chapter within one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of this chapter subject to approval by the Board of Public Service. The rules and procedures as adopted by the Board of Public Service shall be in writing and kept on file in the Building Commissioner's Office and posted to the City's website. The rules and procedures may be amended by the Building Commissioner as needed with the approval of the Board of Public Service.
(Ord. No. 71729, § 14, 11-6-2023.)
Source: City of St. Louis, Missouri, Revised Code of the City of Saint Louis, 2020, Annotated, and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mo/st._louis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT25BUCO_CH25.57SHRMREORFetched: 11/1/2026