St. Louis, MO Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)

After the 2021 zoning reforms (Ordinance 71591), St. Louis's amended ADU provisions in SLRC Title 26 do not require the property owner to live on-site as a citywide rule. Both the principal dwelling and the ADU may generally be rented to non-owner tenants subject to the zoning district. However, St. Louis enforces a unique Occupancy Permit requirement under SLRC Title 25 (Building Code) — every dwelling unit, whether owner-occupied or rented, requires an Occupancy Permit issued by the Building Division after inspection. The Occupancy Permit functions like a Certificate of Occupancy and confirms that the unit meets the IRC and the City's amendments at the time of each new occupancy. Local Historic Districts (Lafayette Square, Soulard, Compton Heights, Benton Park, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Skinker-DeBaliviere, Hyde Park, and others) may impose use restrictions on accessory structures through district guidelines administered by the Cultural Resources Office; some require owner-occupancy under district-specific standards. Confirm with the relevant historic district commission before relying on dual-rental of the principal dwelling and ADU.