St. Louis, Missouri Short-Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are Short-Term Rental (Airbnb, VRBO) Regulations in St. Louis, Missouri?

St. Louis has finally joined the ranks of cities regulating their short-term rental market. After years of unregulated operation, the city implemented its first comprehensive short-term rental ordinance in November 2023, with enforcement beginning November 6, 2024. This significant shift comes after nearly six years of discussions and mounting concerns about neighborhood disruptions, safety issues, and several shooting incidents at rental properties.

If you're operating or planning to operate a short-term rental in St. Louis, you now face a deadline of May 6, 2025, to obtain the required permits or risk losing your ability to host guests. The new regulations aim to balance tourism benefits with neighborhood quality of life.

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in St. Louis, Missouri

The landscape for short-term rental operators in St. Louis has dramatically changed with Ordinance 71729. There are changes to permit requirements, property restrictions, operational requirements, occupancy limits, and of course, proper enforcement.

The new regulations represent a significant shift for St. Louis, which previously had no oversight of its estimated 1,300+ short-term rental properties. Mayor Tishaura Jones has emphasized that these changes follow "national best practices" while still encouraging tourism in the city.

For many responsible hosts, the regulations may help legitimize their businesses and reduce competition from problematic operators. Some hosts have organized into a group called "STL City Short-Term Rental Hosts United" to advocate for good operators and make "St. Louis a model for how to do it right".

However, others worry about the impact on their business models. Some hosts who currently accommodate large groups may struggle with new occupancy limits, while others have expressed concerns about the public registry potentially attracting thieves to properties known to be vacant.

The city's approach reflects growing pains experienced in many urban areas, where the convenience and economic opportunity of short-term rentals must be balanced against neighborhood stability and safety concerns. With proper compliance, St. Louis aims to create a regulated environment where short-term rentals can thrive while respecting community needs.

Short-Term Rental Licensing Requirement in St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis has implemented comprehensive licensing requirements for short-term rental operators, with a critical deadline approaching. If you're operating an Airbnb, VRBO, or other short-term rental in the city, understanding these requirements is essential to avoid substantial penalties.

Permit Application Deadline:

The clock is ticking for St. Louis short-term rental operators. The city's first-ever STR ordinance (71729) went into effect on November 6, 2024, and all operators must obtain the required permits by May 6, 2025. With less than a month remaining before this deadline, city officials report they've received only about 250 applications despite estimating there are more than 2,000 short-term rentals operating in the city.

Permit Types and Requirements:

The city offers two distinct permit categories:

• Short-Term Rental, Occupied Permit: For properties used as the principal residence by either the owner or an authorized tenant/lessee
• Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied Permit: For properties not used as a principal residence

All permit applicants must meet these core requirements:

1. Complete the online application through the City of St. Louis Building Division
2. Pay a $150 application fee
3. Pass a property inspection to verify compliance with health and safety codes
4. Provide proof of ownership or legal control of the property
5. Designate a Short-Term Rental Agent available 24/7 who can respond to issues in person within one hour
6. Ensure the property has functioning smoke detectors and meets all safety codes
7. Agree to minimum stay requirements of at least two nights (no single-night rentals)
8. Post rules within the rental unit
9. Have no outstanding taxes or other obligations to the City of St. Louis
10. Adhere to occupancy limits based on the property's square footage
11. Ensure guest activities don't disrupt the neighborhood

Additional Requirements for Non-Occupied STRs:

1. Obtain a business license from the License Collector's office (after initial permit approval)
2. Upload the business license to the permit application for final approval

Zoning Considerations:

1. Properties in Zone A (Single-Family Residential Dwelling District) must schedule and pay for a conditional use hearing
2. The Zoning Department will email applicants a link to schedule this hearing

Permit Limitations:

1. One person can only be listed on a maximum of four permits
2. Permits can only be issued to individuals, not LLCs or corporations
3. Properties receiving tax increment financing or tax abatements are ineligible
4. There are limits on the percentage of units in multi-family buildings that can operate as STRs

Application Process Timeline:

While the city aims to process applications within 15 business days after inspection, officials have warned that wait times may increase as the May 6 deadline approaches. Properties requiring conditional use hearings face additional delays, as these hearings "take several weeks to schedule, with the likelihood of a longer wait increasing the longer applicants take to apply," according to Mayor Jones' spokesperson.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

Operating without a permit after May 6, 2025, will result in:

1. Fines of $500 per violation per day (each day of operation counts as a separate violation)
2. Potential revocation of the right to operate for up to 12 months
3. Mandatory delisting from platforms like Airbnb and VRBO (platforms are prohibited from listing properties without permit numbers)

Ongoing Compliance:Even after obtaining a permit, operators must maintain compliance or risk revocation:

1. Three violation notices within 24 consecutive months will result in permit revocation for up to 12 months
2. The city will maintain a public registry of all permitted short-term rentals
3. A third-party service will monitor properties to verify permit compliance
4. A 24/7 hotline will be established for residents to report STR issues

With the deadline rapidly approaching and potential processing delays, St. Louis short-term rental operators should prioritize submitting their applications as soon as possible, especially those requiring conditional use hearings due to their location in single-family residential zones.

Required Documents for St. Louis, Missouri Short-Term Rentals

Navigating the documentation requirements for St. Louis short-term rentals can be challenging, but having the right paperwork ready will streamline your permit application process. With the May 6, 2025 deadline less than a month away, understanding exactly what you need to submit is crucial.

Completed Short-Term Rental Application

The foundation of your permit request is the official application form, which collects essential details about your property, your contact information, and your planned rental operations. This form must be submitted online through the City of St. Louis Building Division's STL City Permits website. The application requires you to specify whether you're applying for an "Occupied" or "Non-Occupied" permit type.

Proof of Ownership or Landlord Authorization

You must demonstrate legal right to operate an STR at the property. If you're the owner, this typically means providing a copy of your deed or title. If you're a tenant seeking to operate an STR, you'll need written authorization from the property owner. This document serves to verify you have legal standing to use the property as a short-term rental.

Principal Residence Attestation

For "Short-Term Rental, Occupied" permits, you must provide a sworn statement confirming the rental unit is your principal residence. The city ordinance specifies that a resident can have only one principal residence, and this document helps prevent individuals from claiming multiple properties as their primary home.

Site Plan

While not explicitly stated on the city's application page, many jurisdictions, including St. Louis require a drawing showing the rental unit's location on the property, designated guest parking areas, and outdoor spaces accessible to guests. This helps officials verify compliance with zoning and parking requirements.

Floor Plan

A detailed layout of your rental unit showing room dimensions and the locations of safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. This document helps inspectors verify your property meets building and fire safety codes during the required inspection.

Short-Term Rental Agent Designation

You must designate a responsible party who will be available 24/7 and able to respond to issues at the property within one hour. This person's contact information must be included in your application, and they must be able to physically access the property if needed.

Business License (for Non-Occupied STRs only)

If you're applying for a "Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied" permit, you'll need to obtain a business license from the License Collector's office after your initial application is approved. This document must then be uploaded to your permit application for final approval. The business license confirms you're operating as a legitimate business entity within the city.

Conditional Use Hearing Documentation (if applicable)

Properties located in Zone A (Single-Family Residential Dwelling District) require additional documentation for a conditional use hearing. The Zoning Department will email applicants a link to schedule this hearing, which involves submitting additional paperwork and paying a separate fee. This process ensures that short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods receive proper community review.

Payment Information

While not a document per se, you'll need to provide payment information for the $150 application fee. The city accepts major credit cards (with a 2.5% processing fee) or electronic checks (with a $1.50 fee). Having your payment method ready will prevent delays in submission.

With the deadline approaching and processing times likely to increase as more applications flood in, gathering these documents promptly is essential—particularly if your property requires a conditional use hearing, which can add several weeks to the timeline. Remember that all documents must be accurate and complete to avoid processing delays or potential rejection of your application.

St. Louis, Missouri Short-Term Rental Taxes

Operating a short-term rental in St. Louis comes with a complex tax landscape that every host must navigate. With the May 6, 2025 deadline for permit compliance rapidly approaching, understanding your tax obligations is just as crucial as obtaining the proper permits. St. Louis STR operators face multiple layers of taxation, each with different rates and requirements.

State Sales Tax: All Missouri short-term rental operators must collect 4.225% on the total rental amount, including cleaning fees and other charges. This tax applies to stays of 30 nights or less.

Convention and Sports Tax: St. Louis imposes a 3.5% tax on all short-term rental transactions. This applies to the total listing price, including any cleaning or additional fees.

Convention Tourism Tax: An additional 3.75% tax is levied on STRs in the city. Like other taxes, this is calculated on the full rental amount.

New STR Fee: Following the November 2024 election, St. Louis voters approved Proposition S, which added a new 3% fee on all short-term rentals. At least half of this revenue goes toward the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with the remainder supporting other housing initiatives like eviction prevention.

Tax Collection Responsibility:

While platforms like Airbnb collect and remit some taxes on behalf of hosts (typically the state and local sales taxes), hosts are ultimately responsible for ensuring all applicable taxes are paid. Vrbo and other platforms may not collect any taxes at all, leaving hosts fully responsible for compliance. This means you may need to register with both state and local tax authorities and file regular tax returns.

Tax Deductions and Write-Offs:

To offset your tax burden, you can claim various deductions related to your STR business:

1. Property-Related Expenses: Mortgage interest and property taxes (apportioned between personal and business use if you only rent part of your property)
2. Operational Costs: Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet), cleaning and maintenance expenses
3. Guest Amenities: Supplies and items provided to guests
4. Depreciation: Furniture, appliances, and equipment used in the rental
5. Insurance: Premiums for property and liability coverage
6. Marketing: Advertising costs and professional photography
7. Platform Fees: Service fees charged by Airbnb, Vrbo, or other booking platforms
8. Professional Services: Accounting, legal, and property management fees

The tax treatment of your STR income may vary depending on whether you provide "substantial services" to guests. If you offer hotel-like services such as daily cleaning while guests are present, conducting tours, or providing meals, your rental may be classified as active business income rather than passive rental income. This classification affects both your potential deductions and whether you'll owe self-employment tax on your profits.

With the new regulations and taxes in St. Louis, maintaining meticulous records of both income and expenses is more important than ever. Many hosts find that working with a tax professional who specializes in short-term rentals helps maximize deductions while ensuring compliance with all tax obligations.

Does St. Louis, Missouri Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

St. Louis is entering a new era of short-term rental regulation, transitioning from completely unregulated to implementing structured enforcement. With the May 6, 2025 deadline rapidly approaching, the city is positioning itself to become one of the more strictly regulated STR markets in Missouri.

The city has taken decisive action by contracting with Host Compliance through Granicus to establish real-time monitoring of rental listings. This system will scan platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, using human analysts to identify properties operating without permits. Additionally, St. Louis is launching a dedicated STR hotline at (314) 798-9245 for residents to report issues, creating a comprehensive enforcement infrastructure that didn't previously exist.

Compared to St. Louis County, which has been notably lax in enforcement, the City of St. Louis is taking a much firmer stance. According to discussions on Bigger Pockets, many hosts in St. Louis County operate without permits with "little pushback," with one host sharing, "We manage over a hundred long-term and short-term (AirBnB) rentals all over the city. It very much depends on the area and the property. Some areas and properties have no issues operating without permits."

The City of St. Louis, however, is clearly signaling that the days of unregulated operations are ending. The new ordinance includes substantial penalties—$500 per violation per day—for properties operating without permits after the May 2025 deadline. For context, a single month of unauthorized operation could result in fines exceeding $15,000.

The city's approach reflects a deliberate balance between supporting tourism and addressing safety concerns. As Mayor Tishaura Jones stated, "We heard our community members loud and clear, and now St. Louis is following national best practices in regulating this industry. As a city, we can both encourage tourism and ensure that these rental units are not a nuisance in their neighborhoods."

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police have noted that properties listed on major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are "often not the problem," with Lt. Col. Renee Kriesmann stating, "For the most part, we find Airbnb and Vrbo to be pretty responsible. They do a pretty decent job of trying to keep their properties safe." This indicates that enforcement may focus more heavily on properties rented through informal channels or word of mouth.

With the implementation deadline still weeks away, St. Louis is clearly transitioning from one of the most Airbnb-friendly cities (due to lack of regulation) to one with structured oversight. The city's commitment to enforcement through technology, dedicated hotlines, and substantial penalties indicates that St. Louis is serious about regulating its STR market, even if full enforcement capabilities are still developing.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in St. Louis, Missouri

With St. Louis implementing its first comprehensive short-term rental ordinance in November 2023 and the May 6, 2025 deadline for compliance rapidly approaching, now is the critical time to understand how to properly launch your STR business in the city. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting started:

Research St. Louis STR Regulations

Begin by thoroughly familiarizing yourself with Ordinance 71729, which establishes the framework for short-term rentals in St. Louis. The ordinance distinguishes between "Occupied" rentals (your primary residence) and "Non-Occupied" rentals (investment properties). Understanding these distinctions is crucial as they determine which permit type you'll need and what additional requirements apply. Pay special attention to zoning restrictions, as properties in Zone A (Single-Family Residential Dwelling District) require conditional use hearings that can add several weeks to your timeline.

Evaluate Property Eligibility

Not all properties qualify for short-term rental permits in St. Louis. Properties that have received tax increment financing or tax abatements are ineligible. There are also limits on the percentage of units in multi-family buildings that can operate as STRs. Additionally, one person can only hold a maximum of four permits, and permits can only be issued to individuals, not LLCs or corporations. Assess your property against these criteria before proceeding.

Prepare Required Documentation

Gather all necessary documentation for your permit application. This includes proof of ownership (deed or title) or landlord authorization if you're a tenant, a site plan showing the rental unit's location on the property, a floor plan detailing room dimensions and safety equipment locations, and documentation for your designated Short-Term Rental Agent who must be available 24/7 and able to respond to issues within one hour.

Apply for the Appropriate Permit

Submit your application through the City of St. Louis Building Division's online portal. The application fee is $150 per property. Be prepared to specify whether you're applying for an "Occupied" or "Non-Occupied" permit. If your property is in Zone A, you'll receive a link via email to schedule and pay for a conditional use hearing, which adds an additional step to the process.

Schedule and Pass Property Inspection

During the application process, your property will be scheduled for an inspection to verify compliance with health and safety codes. Ensure your property meets all requirements, including functioning smoke detectors, clear emergency exits, and adherence to occupancy limits based on square footage. The Building Division aims to evaluate applications within 15 business days after inspection, though this timeline may extend as the May 2025 deadline approaches.

Obtain Business License (Non-Occupied STRs Only)

If you're applying for a "Non-Occupied" permit, you'll need to obtain a business license from the License Collector's office after your initial application is approved. You'll need to upload this business license to your permit application for final approval. This additional step is not required for "Occupied" permits.

Set Up Tax Collection Systems

Register with appropriate tax authorities to collect and remit all applicable taxes. These include the 4.225% State Sales Tax, 3.5% Convention and Sports Tax, 3.75% Convention Tourism Tax, and the new 3% STR fee. While platforms like Airbnb collect some taxes automatically, you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring all taxes are properly remitted.

Establish House Rules and Safety Protocols

Develop clear house rules that comply with St. Louis regulations, including the minimum two-night stay requirement (no single-night rentals allowed). Create a guest handbook that includes emergency procedures, contact information for your designated agent, and neighborhood guidelines. Post these rules prominently in your rental unit as required by the ordinance.

Implement Property Management Systems

Set up reliable cleaning, maintenance, and guest communication systems. Consider using property management software to streamline operations and ensure compliance with the 24/7 agent availability requirement. Having efficient systems in place will help you maintain high ratings while adhering to all regulations.

Market Your Property Compliantly

Once you've received your permit, you can list your property on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Include your permit number in all listings as required by law. Platforms are prohibited from listing properties without permit numbers and must delist properties that have had permits revoked, so maintaining compliance is essential for continued operation.

Who to Contact in St. Louis, Missouri about Short-Term Rental Regulations and Zoning?

Navigating St. Louis' new short-term rental regulations requires knowing exactly who to contact for different aspects of the permitting and compliance process. With the May 6, 2025 deadline rapidly approaching, having direct access to the right departments can save you valuable time.

St. Louis City Building Division

The Building Division oversees the short-term rental permit application process and is your primary contact for questions about Ordinance 71729. They can provide guidance on application requirements, inspection scheduling, and permit status.

1. Phone: (314) 622-3313
2. Email: Contact Felitia Richmond at richmondf@stlouis-mo.gov

Zoning Section

If your property is in Zone A (Single-Family Residential Dwelling District) and requires a conditional use hearing, the Zoning Section can provide information about scheduling and requirements.

• Phone: (314) 622-3666
• Email: zoning@stlouis-mo.gov
• Address: City Hall Room 400, 1200 Market, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

Plumbing Section

For questions related to plumbing inspections required as part of your STR permit process:

• Phone: (314) 622-4356
• Email: Contact LaDonna Foster at fosterl@stlouis-mo.gov

Mechanical Section

For questions about mechanical systems inspections:

• Phone: (314) 622-3375
• Contact: Michelle Hilker

Citizen Service Bureau

For residents experiencing issues with existing short-term rentals:

Submit concerns as a Nuisance Complaint through the Citizen Service Bureau

STR Hotline

A dedicated hotline has been established for reporting issues with short-term rentals:

Phone: (314) 798-9245

Host Communities and Forums

Connecting with other hosts can provide valuable insights and support as you navigate St. Louis' new regulations:

STL City Short-Term Rental Hosts United: A group of St. Louis hosts who advocate for responsible short-term rental operations and share information about compliance with city regulations.

Bigger Pockets Forum: This active real estate investment forum has dedicated sections for short-term rental discussions, including St. Louis-specific topics. Many local hosts share their experiences with regulations and enforcement.

Reddit - r/airbnb_hosts: This subreddit includes discussions from St. Louis hosts about local regulations, including threads specifically about finding local agents to meet the city's requirement for a representative who can respond within one hour.

Airbnb Community Forum

While not specific to St. Louis, some local hosts have expressed interest in organizing meetups through this platform. Search for "St. Louis Missouri Hosts Meetup" to find relevant discussions.

With less than a month remaining before the May 6, 2025 application deadline, reaching out to these official channels promptly is crucial—particularly if your property requires additional steps like conditional use hearings. The city has warned that processing times may increase as the deadline approaches, so early contact is strongly recommended.