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St. Louis, MO Local Taxes & Fees: Parking Tax (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Tax rate
5% of gross receipts
Filing frequency
Quarterly, with the Comptroller
Small-operator exemption
5 or fewer vehicles stored
Late penalty
5%/month, capped at 25%
Governing chapter
City Code Chapter 8.76

Summary

St. Louis taxes public garages and parking lots that charge for vehicle storage at 5% of gross receipts, collected quarterly by the Comptroller under City Code Chapter 8.76.

Beginning on July 1, 1974, there is imposed on every person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of operating a public garage for the storage of motor vehicles, a license tax equal to the sum of five percent of the gross receipts of the business.

View official code

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

Any person, firm or corporation operating a public garage in St. Louis, a place where motor vehicles are stored or housed for a fee for people other than the owner, must hold a License Collector permit and pay a license tax equal to five percent of gross receipts from the business, per City Code § 8.76.050. Operators file a sworn quarterly gross-receipts statement with the Comptroller by July 31, October 31, January 31 and April 30, remitting the 5% tax with each return. Garages storing five or fewer vehicles for hire, and nonprofit-hospital parking garages, are exempt from the entire chapter.

Violations & Fines

Operating without paying the tax is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $5 to $500 per offense; late returns or payments draw a 5% per-month penalty, capped at 25% of the tax due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do apartment building parking garages owe the tax?
No: the code excludes apartment houses and other nontransient residential buildings that provide parking exclusively for permanent tenants and their guests, per § 8.76.010.
How often must a garage operator report gross receipts?
Quarterly, with sworn statements due July 31, October 31, January 31 and April 30, filed with the City Comptroller under § 8.76.060.
What is the parking garage tax rate in St. Louis?
Five percent of gross receipts from the public garage business, per City Code § 8.76.050, effective since July 1, 1974.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Louis

Vacancy TaxSome RestrictionsBusiness Tax ClassificationHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All St. Louis rules

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