Short-Term Rentals in Kirkwood, MO (2026)

6 verified short-term rentals rules for Kirkwood, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Short-Term Rental Permits

Before renting or advertising, a Kirkwood owner must secure zoning approval, a 12-month occupancy permit, a Chapter 13 business license and a 24/7 local contact person under § 25-36(k)(9), and the license can be revoked for noncompliance.

Kirkwood Short-Term Rental Permit Steps

Significant Restrictions

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 25-36(k)(9)

Prior to renting or advertising the availability of the short-term rental, owners shall: ... Apply for and obtain an occupancy permit, which shall be valid for a period of 12 months, at the end of which term the owner shall be required to apply for a renewal of the occupancy permit for said permitted use; ... Apply for and obtain a business license from the City in accordance with Chapter 13 of...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Kirkwood requires one on-site parking space for every rented short-term rental room, stacked on top of the standard residential parking requirement in § 25-65, under the zoning code's use-specific standards at § 25-36(k)(12).

Kirkwood Short-Term Rental Parking Rule

Some Restrictions

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 25-36(k)(12)

In addition to any vehicular parking required per § 25-65, one parking space shall be provided on site for each short-term rental room.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Kirkwood zoning sets bedroom and overnight-guest caps for short-term rentals by district. In the R-3, R-4, and R-5 Districts, no more than two bedrooms and four guests are allowed at a time; in R-1 and R-2, the cap rises to four bedrooms and eight guests.

Kirkwood Short-Term Rental Bedroom and Guest Caps

Some Restrictions

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 25-36(k)(3)-(4)

In the R-3, R-4, and R-5 Districts, no more than two bedrooms shall be rented to no more than four overnight guests at any particular time. ... In the R-1 and R-2 Districts, no more than four bedrooms shall be rented to no more than eight overnight guests at any particular time.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Kirkwood limits short-term rental stays to 14 consecutive days and caps any particular guest at 30 rented days per calendar year under the zoning code's short-term rental use standards, on top of an owner-occupancy requirement.

Kirkwood Short-Term Rental 30-Night Cap

Some Restrictions

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 25-36(k)(5)

Rooms shall be rented on a daily basis and for no more than 14 consecutive days and not more than 30 days in a calendar year to any particular guests.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Kirkwood's short-term rental rules require the owner to actually live in the rental as a permanent residence and be on the premises whenever a paying guest is staying there. An owner who travels during a guest's stay, or whose real home is elsewhere, does not meet the rule.

Kirkwood Requires Hosts to Be Home During Stays

Significant Restrictions

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 25-36(k)(2)

The owner of the dwelling to whom an occupancy permit has been issued shall maintain the short-term rental as his or her permanent residence and shall reside on the premises at the time that a short-term rental guest is present.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Kirkwood zoning limits short-term rentals to owner-occupied, detached single-family homes. An investor-owned house, a rental the owner does not live in, or an attached dwelling like a duplex or townhome cannot legally operate as a short-term rental anywhere in the City.

Kirkwood Short-Term Rentals Must Be Owner-Occupied

Significant Restrictions

Kirkwood Code of Ordinances § 25-36(k)(1)

Short-term rentals shall only be permitted in owner-occupied, detached single-family dwellings.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for St. Louis County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kirkwood city rules.

Short-Term Rentals in St. Louis County →