St. Louis, MO Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Coverage
- All dwelling units citywide, owner and rental
- Trigger
- Required at every change of occupancy
- Reinspection cycle
- Every 3 years or next occupancy change
- Fee
- $120 first unit, $65 each additional
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
Every rental unit in St. Louis needs a certificate of inspection before each new tenant moves in or the property sells, plus reinspection every three years under the citywide Housing Conservation Program.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or any other legal entity to occupy or permit the occupancy for any purpose or collect the rent of any occupied dwelling unit when a complete change of occupancy has occurred without first securing a certificate of inspection for said dwelling unit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
St. Louis places every dwelling unit citywide, owner-occupied and rental alike, under its Housing Conservation Program (Ch. 25.56). A rental dwelling can't change occupants or ownership without a Building Division certificate of inspection covering exterior maintenance code compliance, zoning conformity, and interior building code items like smoke detectors, egress, and space-per-occupant limits. Owners must also register every rental unit, address, owner and agent contact, bedroom/bathroom count, asking rent, in a public database. Once issued, a certificate triggers mandatory reinspection every three years or at the next occupancy change, whichever comes first; refusing entry lets the code official revoke the certificate and condemn the unit.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or renting without a valid certificate is a misdemeanor: up to $500 and 90 days in jail, with each day a separate violation; noncompliant units can be condemned and ordered vacated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new certificate every time I get a new tenant?
How often does the City reinspect an already-certified rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
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