Florissant's Rental Inspections: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental inspections a little differently. In Florissant, Missouri, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tenant Complaint Process

Florissant can suspend or revoke a landlord's residential rental license when neighbors or the City document three or more nuisance incidents tied to a rental unit within twelve months. The rule, enforced by the Director of Public Works under Code Section 605.461, explicitly shields tenants who call police or 911 for their own protection from being used as grounds for that suspension.

Key details: Suspension trigger: 3+ nuisance/crime notices in 12 months. Enforcing office: Director of Public Works. Appeal deadline: 10 working days, in writing. Appeal panel: 3 members: council pick, resident, rental owner. Revocation trigger: More than 2 suspensions in 12 months.

A suspended or revoked license bars new occupancy permits for the property and can force existing tenants out once the license lapses. Reinstatement after suspension costs $100.00 for the City's mandatory re-inspection; after revocation it costs $200.00, plus proof the property is back in full code compliance. Because Article XVII sets no separate criminal penalty, a landlord who defies a suspension and continues renting still faces Section 100.080's general penalty of up to a $1,000.00 fine or three months in jail per day of violation.

Inspection Programs

Every rental home, duplex or apartment in Florissant needs an annual $50.00-per-unit residential rental license from the Director of Public Works, and a property cited for property-maintenance-code violations three or more times in six months can lose that license until it passes a paid re-inspection.

Key details: Annual fee: $50.00 per owner per rental unit. Renewal deadline: January 31 each year. Late fee: $2.00 per month delinquent. Suspension trigger: 3+ code violations within 6 months. Reinstatement fee: $100.00 suspension or $200.00 revocation.

Landlords who skip the license, let it lapse, or ignore a suspension cannot legally rent to a non-owner occupant, and the City can pull existing occupancy permits for every unit tied to that license. Because Article XVII carries no separate penalty clause, a landlord who keeps renting without a valid license faces Section 100.080's general penalty of up to $1,000.00 in fines or three months in jail, assessed per day the violation continues.

The Bottom Line

Florissant's rental inspections rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Florissant is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Florissant can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.