Short-Term Rental Laws in St. Louis, MO (2026)
St. Louis enacted a full STR permit regime (Ordinance 71729, operative November 6, 2024) requiring an annual Short-Term Rental Occupied or Non-Occupied permit, a 2-night minimum stay, a 4-unit cap per owner, and a 24/7 rental agent — but a court challenge to the $150 fee has kept the City from enforcing the permit requirements since April 2025, and as of mid-2026 permit applications remain paused. Separately, since February 23, 2026 all STR operators must hold a Short-Term Rental Business License and pay a quarterly 3% license fee on rent (Ordinance 72095, implementing voter-approved Proposition S), on top of state sales tax and the City's 3.5% and 3.75% room taxes.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 10 official sources. How we verify data
St. Louis STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental, Occupied Permit / Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied Permit |
| Permit fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Max units per owner | 4 |
| Minimum stay | 2 nights |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~14.47% of gross revenue |
| Enforcement | Enforcement of the permit ordinance (71729) is currently paused: a St. Louis Circuit Court order (April 22, 2025) barred enforcement, and although Judge Joseph Whyte ruled on June 9, 2025 that the City could enforce everything except the $150 fee (and could not bar business entities from permits), the City has opted not to enforce and is not accepting or issuing STR permit applications or conducting inspections as of mid-2026. When operative, the Building Division monitors rental listing sites and runs an STR hotline at (314) 798-9245; permits are revoked after 3 violation notices at a property within 24 consecutive months, with a permit ban of up to 12 months. The 3% business-license fee under Ordinance 72095 is administered and enforced by the License Collector and is in effect. |
| Current rules effective | 2024-11-06 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a St. Louis stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for St. Louis, MO — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
St. Louis occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Missouri state sales tax (4.225%)· collection varies | $19.01 |
| Hotel/Motel Room Sales Tax (Convention and Sports Tax) (3.5%)· collection varies | $15.75 |
| Convention and Tourism Tax (3.75%)· collection varies | $16.88 |
| Short-Term Rental Business License fee (Proposition S) (3%)· collection varies | $13.50 |
| Total tax (14.47%) | $65.14 |
| Guest pays | $515.14 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
St. Louis requires Short-Term Rental, Occupied Permit / Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied Permit to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $150, renewed annual.
Ordinance 71729 sets a non-refundable $150.00 application fee for both Occupied and Non-Occupied permits (platform permits are $500.00). On June 9, 2025 a circuit judge ruled the City could enforce the ordinance only if it does not charge the $150 fee (Hancock Amendment challenge); the City has instead paused all permit applications, inspections, and fee collection. Separately, Ordinance 72095 (effective 2026-02-23) imposes a quarterly license fee of 3% of rent charged, plus a Short-Term Rental Business License requirement.
Zoning & location rules
Ordinance 71730 (companion zoning bill, Chapter 26.76 of the Revised Code) establishes short-term rental as a permitted use in all zoning districts citywide. However, applicants in Zoning District 'A' (Single-Family Residential) must complete a Conditional Use hearing. Density caps for Non-Occupied permits are set in Ordinance 71729 (Section Four, subsections F-I), not the zoning chapter: 2-unit structures may have both units permitted (both count toward the owner's 4-unit cap); 3-4 unit structures max 1 Non-Occupied permit and total STR-permitted units cannot exceed 50%; 5-23 unit structures up to 25% of units; 24+ unit structures up to 12.5% of units. STRs on parcels benefiting from TIF or tax abatement are ineligible for permits.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri state sales taxApplies to stays of 29 nights or less. Airbnb collects and remits for St. Louis listings; Vrbo does not, so those hosts must register and remit themselves. Local city/county sales taxes also apply on top. | 4.225% | varies |
| Hotel/Motel Room Sales Tax (Convention and Sports Tax)City of St. Louis room tax remitted to the License Collector; funds convention facilities at America's Center. Airbnb collects it for its listings (stays of 31 nights or less); other hosts remit monthly themselves. | 3.5% | varies |
| Convention and Tourism TaxCity of St. Louis quarterly room tax remitted to the License Collector for the Convention and Visitors Commission. Airbnb collects it for its listings; other hosts remit themselves. | 3.75% | varies |
| Short-Term Rental Business License fee (Proposition S)Ordinance 72095, effective 2026-02-23: 3% of rent charged for each short-term rental, paid quarterly to the License Collector. The City may enter voluntary agreements with platforms to collect; absent an agreement, operators remit directly. At least 50% of proceeds fund affordable housing. | 3% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
Enforcement of the permit ordinance (71729) is currently paused: a St. Louis Circuit Court order (April 22, 2025) barred enforcement, and although Judge Joseph Whyte ruled on June 9, 2025 that the City could enforce everything except the $150 fee (and could not bar business entities from permits), the City has opted not to enforce and is not accepting or issuing STR permit applications or conducting inspections as of mid-2026. When operative, the Building Division monitors rental listing sites and runs an STR hotline at (314) 798-9245; permits are revoked after 3 violation notices at a property within 24 consecutive months, with a permit ban of up to 12 months. The 3% business-license fee under Ordinance 72095 is administered and enforced by the License Collector and is in effect.
Fully adjudicated violations prosecuted in municipal court involving a Short-Term Rental Unit are assessed a $500.00 fine per violation. Three violation notices at the same property within 24 consecutive months trigger revocation of existing permits and rejection of new applications for that property for up to 12 consecutive months. Revoked permits are posted on the official City website.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in St. Louis: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: Ordinance 71730 (companion zoning bill, Chapter 26.76 of the Revised Code) establishes short-term rental as a permitted use in all zoning districts citywide. However, applicants in Zoning District 'A' (Single-Family Residential) must complete a Conditional Use hearing. Density caps for Non-Occupied permits are set in Ordinance 71729 (Section Four, subsections F-I), not the zoning chapter: 2-unit structures may have both units permitted (both count toward the owner's 4-unit cap); 3-4 unit structures max 1 Non-Occupied permit and total STR-permitted units cannot exceed 50%; 5-23 unit structures up to 25% of units; 24+ unit structures up to 12.5% of units. STRs on parcels benefiting from TIF or tax abatement are ineligible for permits. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental, Occupied Permit / Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied Permit
Budget $150 (annual renewal). Ordinance 71729 sets a non-refundable $150.00 application fee for both Occupied and Non-Occupied permits (platform permits are $500.00). On June 9, 2025 a circuit judge ruled the City could enforce the ordinance only if it does not charge the $150 fee (Hancock Amendment challenge); the City has instead paused all permit applications, inspections, and fee collection. Separately, Ordinance 72095 (effective 2026-02-23) imposes a quarterly license fee of 3% of rent charged, plus a Short-Term Rental Business License requirement. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: Missouri state sales tax (4.225%), Hotel/Motel Room Sales Tax (Convention and Sports Tax) (3.5%), Convention and Tourism Tax (3.75%), Short-Term Rental Business License fee (Proposition S) (3%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 5
Configure your listing to the operating limits
Set your calendar and listing rules to respect the 2-night minimum stay, 4-unit-per-owner limit — platform delisting and fines in this market typically start with listings that visibly violate these limits.
- 6
Calendar the renewal before you forget it
This permit renews annual (budget $150 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.
- 7
Know the cost of getting it wrong
Fully adjudicated violations prosecuted in municipal court involving a Short-Term Rental Unit are assessed a $500.00 fine per violation. Three violation notices at the same property within 24 consecutive months trigger revocation of existing permits and rejection of new applications for that property for up to 12 consecutive months. Revoked permits are posted on the official City website. Enforcement of the permit ordinance (71729) is currently paused: a St. Louis Circuit Court order (April 22, 2025) barred enforcement, and although Judge Joseph Whyte ruled on June 9, 2025 that the City could enforce everything except the $150 fee (and could not bar business entities from permits), the City has opted not to enforce and is not accepting or issuing STR permit applications or conducting inspections as of mid-2026. When operative, the Building Division monitors rental listing sites and runs an STR hotline at (314) 798-9245; permits are revoked after 3 violation notices at a property within 24 consecutive months, with a permit ban of up to 12 months. The 3% business-license fee under Ordinance 72095 is administered and enforced by the License Collector and is in effect.
Recent rule changes in St. Louis
February 23, 2026material
Ordinance 72095: STR Business License and 3% quarterly fee take effect
Implementing Proposition S (approved by voters November 2024), all STR operators must obtain a Short-Term Rental Business License and pay a quarterly license fee of 3% of rent charged, administered by the License Collector. At least half of proceeds fund affordable housing.
Official source →June 9, 2025material
Judge allows enforcement except the $150 fee; City declines to enforce
Judge Joseph Whyte ruled the City could enforce almost all STR regulations so long as it does not charge the $150 annual fee and does not bar business entities from permits. The City nonetheless opted not to resume enforcement, and as of mid-2026 permit applications remain paused.
Official source →April 22, 2025critical
Court order halts enforcement of Ordinance 71729
Following an April 7, 2025 lawsuit claiming the $150 fee violates Missouri's Hancock Amendment, the St. Louis Circuit Court barred the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729. The City paused permit applications, inspections, permit issuance, and fee collection.
Official source →December 10, 2024
Ordinance 71940 zoning cleanup
Amended Ordinance 71730/Chapter 26.76 to update Short-Term Rental Permit and Unit definitions and align zoning provisions for Single-Family 'A' districts (conditional use required).
Official source →November 6, 2024material
Permit applications opened; six-month compliance window
The City opened STR permit applications via stlcitypermits.com and gave operators until May 6, 2025 to obtain a permit before being in violation.
Official source →November 6, 2023critical
Ordinance 71729 (STR permits) signed into law
Mayor Tishaura Jones signed Board Bill 33 as Ordinance 71729, creating Occupied and Non-Occupied STR permits, a $150 annual application fee, a 24/7 STR agent requirement, a 2-night minimum stay, a 4-unit cap per owner, and $500 fines per adjudicated violation. Permit requirements became operative November 6, 2024.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in St. Louis?
Airbnb is legal in St. Louis, MO, but with significant restrictions — check the zoning and eligibility rules on this page before listing. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in St. Louis?
Yes. St. Louis requires a Short-Term Rental, Occupied Permit / Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied Permit to operate a short-term rental, which costs $150 and must be renewed every year. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a St. Louis short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental, Occupied Permit / Short-Term Rental, Non-Occupied Permit costs $150 (annual renewal). Ordinance 71729 sets a non-refundable $150.00 application fee for both Occupied and Non-Occupied permits (platform permits are $500.00). On June 9, 2025 a circuit judge ruled the City could enforce the ordinance only if it does not charge the $150 fee (Hancock Amendment challenge); the City has instead paused all permit applications, inspections, and fee collection. Separately, Ordinance 72095 (effective 2026-02-23) imposes a quarterly license fee of 3% of rent charged, plus a Short-Term Rental Business License requirement.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in St. Louis?
Yes — St. Louis does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences, although each owner is capped at 4 units. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in St. Louis?
Hosts in St. Louis are subject to: Missouri state sales tax (4.225%), Hotel/Motel Room Sales Tax (Convention and Sports Tax) (3.5%), Convention and Tourism Tax (3.75%), Short-Term Rental Business License fee (Proposition S) (3%) — roughly 14.47% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›How many short-term rentals can I own in St. Louis?
St. Louis caps operators at 4 short-term rental units. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Is there a minimum stay for short-term rentals in St. Louis?
Yes — St. Louis requires a minimum stay of 2 nights for short-term rentals. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in St. Louis?
No — in St. Louis hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in St. Louis?
Fully adjudicated violations prosecuted in municipal court involving a Short-Term Rental Unit are assessed a $500.00 fine per violation. Three violation notices at the same property within 24 consecutive months trigger revocation of existing permits and rejection of new applications for that property for up to 12 consecutive months. Revoked permits are posted on the official City website. Enforcement of the permit ordinance (71729) is currently paused: a St. Louis Circuit Court order (April 22, 2025) barred enforcement, and although Judge Joseph Whyte ruled on June 9, 2025 that the City could enforce everything except the $150 fee (and could not bar business entities from permits), the City has opted not to enforce and is not accepting or issuing STR permit applications or conducting inspections as of mid-2026. When operative, the Building Division monitors rental listing sites and runs an STR hotline at (314) 798-9245; permits are revoked after 3 violation notices at a property within 24 consecutive months, with a permit ban of up to 12 months. The 3% business-license fee under Ordinance 72095 is administered and enforced by the License Collector and is in effect.
›When did St. Louis's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on November 6, 2024. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
St. Louis's STR rules changed 5 times recently.
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Related
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More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in St. Louis
- St. Louis short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in St. Louis?
- All Missouri STR laws by city
- Occupancy tax calculator
- Compare STR permit costs across cities
- St. Louis ranks among cheapest str permit cities
- STR city rankings: strictest, cheapest permits & more
- What is transient occupancy tax?
- What are minimum-stay rules?
- Best STR compliance tools, compared
- Latest STR rule changes nationwide
Sources
- City of St. Louis — Short-Term Rental Permits (Building Division)retrieved July 20, 2026
- City of St. Louis — Short-Term Rental Permits FAQretrieved July 20, 2026
- Notice: Short Term Rental Permit Applications Paused Due to Court Orderretrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance 71729 — Short-Term Rentals (full text PDF)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance 71730 — Zoning Chapter 26.76 Short-Term Rentalretrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance 71940 — Short Term Rentals (zoning definition updates)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Ordinance 72095 — Short Term Rental Business License and 3% license feeretrieved July 20, 2026
- Airbnb Help — Occupancy tax collection and remittance in Missouriretrieved July 20, 2026
- St. Louis Magazine — Short-term rental regulations languish in St. Louis, despite judge's go-aheadretrieved July 20, 2026
- Avalara MyLodgeTax — St. Louis short-term rental operators must pay new 3% city feeretrieved July 20, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with St. Louis and a qualified professional before operating.