St. Louis County, MO Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in St. Louis County, MO, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Zoning code
- Silent on STR
- Required
- Re-occupancy + Ch. 825
- City of STL
- Separate jurisdiction
Summary
St. Louis County's zoning code does not specifically address short-term rentals as a distinct use category. Operators in unincorporated areas must obtain a re-occupancy permit (§1110.1045) and a Chapter 825 rental license. Enforcement is inconsistent compared to the City of St. Louis.
Chapter 825 — Residential Rental Property License Code §825.600 Application Procedure / Inspection Program. (St. Louis County does not have a STR-specific zoning provision; operators comply through the general rental-property licensing framework.)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Traffic: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Unlike the independent City of St. Louis (which passed Ordinance 71729 in November 2023, currently enjoined by court order), St. Louis County has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance. STR operators effectively comply through Chapter 825 (residential rental license) and Chapter 1110 (property maintenance). Many of the 88 cities have their own STR rules, Maplewood and Webster Groves restrict; Clayton requires conditional-use approval.
Violations & Fines
Operating without re-occupancy permit or Chapter 825 license: up to $1,000/day. City-level violations stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Airbnb my house in unincorporated St. Louis County?
Does the City of St. Louis ordinance apply to me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis County
How St. Louis County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare St. Louis County to another location·View the Missouri short-term rentals overview
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