Primary-Residence-Only Rule
St. Louis does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, so investor-owned non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed citywide subject to permits, hotel tax, and zoning compliance.
Short-Term Rentals in St. Louis, MO (2026)
12 verified short-term rentals rules for St. Louis, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
St. Louis Ordinance 71635 requires STR permits from the Building Division, $500,000 liability insurance, and a local responsible party available 24/7 for complaints.
Short Term Rentals: Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNoise Rules
St. Louis STRs must follow the Chapter 15 noise code with quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM. Two verified complaints in 12 months can trigger permit suspension. House rules must be posted inside the unit.
Short Term Rentals: Noise Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
St. Louis STRs face roughly 14 percent combined tax including state sales, local sales, convention/tourism, and sports facility taxes. Hosts register with the Collector of Revenue for city remittance.
Short Term Rentals: Taxes Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
St. Louis STR permits require parking matching the underlying zoning requirement. In historic neighborhoods with no off-street parking, hosts must document legal on-street options in house rules.
Short Term Rentals: Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
St. Louis STRs follow the IBC formula of 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, capped at the unit permit maximum. Infants under 2 typically do not count. Over-occupancy is a common permit violation.
Short Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
St. Louis STRs must carry general liability coverage of at least $500,000 per occurrence. Airbnb AirCover and VRBO Liability Insurance generally qualify. Lapsed coverage triggers automatic permit suspension.
Short Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNight Caps
St. Louis does not impose annual night caps on short-term rentals. Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs can operate year-round if properly permitted and zoned. HOAs may impose separate limits.
Short Term Rentals: Night Caps
Few RestrictionsRegistration Rules
St. Louis STR registration requires Building Division application, safety inspection, insurance proof, and tax registration with the Collector of Revenue. Permits are annual and non-transferable on sale.
Short Term Rentals: Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsHost Presence Rule
St. Louis does not require the host to live on-site or be present during a short-term rental stay, allowing whole-home rentals citywide subject to permit and zoning rules under Title XI.
Host Presence Not Required for STR
Few RestrictionsRepeat Violator Strikes
St. Louis can suspend or revoke a short-term rental permit when the property accumulates repeated verified noise, occupancy, or nuisance violations within a rolling twelve-month period under Title XI enforcement provisions.
STR Strike System for Repeat Nuisance Calls
Some RestrictionsHost Platform Liability
St. Louis expects booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to remove listings without a valid city STR permit number once the License Collector issues a written takedown or non-compliance notice naming the property.