St. Louis, MO Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum temperature
- 68°F
- Heating season
- Oct 1 – Apr 30
- First-offense fine
- $100
- Cold-weather-warning fine
- $250
- Enforced by
- Building Division
Summary
St. Louis landlords must supply heat maintaining at least 68°F in every habitable room, bathroom, and toilet room from October 1 through April 30.
Heat Supply. Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases, or lets one or more dwelling units, rooming units, dormitory, or guestrooms on terms, either expressed or implied, shall supply sufficient heat during the period from October 1 to April 30 to maintain a room temperatures of not less than 68°F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. The heat supply shall be permanently installed.
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
Under the City's amended Property Maintenance Code, any owner or operator who rents, leases, or lets a dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory, or guestroom must supply sufficient permanently installed heat during the October 1–April 30 heating season to keep habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms at a minimum of 68°F. Cooking appliances and portable unvented space heaters do not satisfy the requirement for the unit itself. The Building Division enforces the rule through administrative citations, with a scheduled fine for insufficient heat or no heat that steps up during declared cold-weather warnings and escalates further on repeat violations within twelve months.
Violations & Fines
$100 administrative citation for a first insufficient-heat/no-heat violation, rising to $250 during a cold-weather warning; repeat violations at the same property within 12 months carry a $500 fine (§ 11.95.130).
Frequently Asked Questions
What indoor temperature must my landlord maintain in St. Louis?
What if my landlord won't fix a broken furnace?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
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