Yes—short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Midtown‑Saint‑Louis (City of St. Louis). Under Ordinance 71729 (adopted November 6, 2023), all platforms listing STRs and all STR operators must obtain a City permit. The ordinance’s operational requirements were scheduled to take effect November 6, 2024, and a permit application deadline of May 6, 2025 was established. However, a court order currently prohibits the City from enforcing Ordinance 71729, including its permit requirements. While the order is in effect, the City is not processing or enforcing STR permits; future enforcement may change once the legal status is resolved. Operators should plan to comply fully with City requirements once enforcement resumes. Citations in municipal court carry a $500 per violation penalty; violations continuing daily are treated as separate offenses. Use the City’s Citizen Service Bureau to report STR nuisances.

Source: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Midtown‑Saint‑Louis

• Confirm your unit is eligible for a City STR permit once enforcement resumes:
  • No minimum stay shorter than two (2) nights.
  • Not located on a parcel or within a structure actively benefiting from tax increment financing (TIF) or tax abatement.
  • Meet building and life‑safety standards (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguisher).
• Assemble required documentation (prepare now; file once enforcement resumes):
  • Property information and ownership/lease authorization.
  • Identification of a Short‑Term Rental Agent who can respond 24/7.
  • Affidavit regarding taxes and obligations owed to the City (must be current).
  • Proof of required safety equipment and posted rules in the unit.
• Submit permit application (when City can enforce):
  • Platforms listing City properties must also hold permits.
  • Application deadline: May 6, 2025.
  • Late/continued operation without a permit after the deadline is non‑compliant and subject to fines.
• If you are NOT the primary resident, obtain a Short‑Term Rental, Non‑Occupied Permit and observe per‑owner caps of up to four (4) STR units citywide (see caps section).
• If you reside in the unit, obtain a Short‑Term Rental, Occupied Permit and attest that the unit is your principal residence (limited to one per person).

Source: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permits

• Short‑Term Rental, Occupied Permit (owner‑ or tenant‑resident).
• Short‑Term Rental, Non‑Occupied Permit (investor/owner).
• Platform Permit (for listing/marketing platforms).

Eligibility requirements

• No minimum stay under two (2) nights.
• Property not on an active TIF or tax abatement benefit.
• Applicant is a natural person.
• All taxes and other obligations to the City must be current.
• No more than one occupant contract per rental period.

Documentation and compliance

• Designation of a 24/7 STR Agent capable of responding to concerns.
• Posted house rules inside the unit.
• Life‑safety compliance: working smoke detectors inside and outside every bedroom; carbon monoxide alarms outside every bedroom; properly maintained and charged fire extinguisher on all habitable floors.
• No exterior signage indicating STR use except a City‑issued marker no larger than 1 ft x 1 ft.
• No food service provided by the permit holder (only prepackaged food/beverage permitted).

Penalties and enforcement

• Municipal court fines: $500 per violation; continuous violations constitute separate offenses each day.
• Noncompliance after May 6, 2025 is a violation once enforcement is permitted.

Source: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (City and State)

City of St. Louis—Core operating rules

• Nuisance behavior triggers revocation: permit holders must use best efforts to prevent disruptions and interference with neighbors’ quiet enjoyment.
• Single‑contract rule: no more than one (1) renter during any given rental period.
• Event prohibition: STR units may not be used as reception, party, meeting, or similar event space.
• Agent availability: designated agent must be capable of responding 24/7 to address concerns.

Occupancy and structure caps

• Short‑Term Rental, Occupied (principal residence):
  • Only available to residents for their principal residence; a person may have only one principal residence.
• Short‑Term Rental, Non‑Occupied (investor/owner):
  • Per owner cap: no more than four (4) STR units in the City.
  • Structure caps by number of dwelling units:
    • 2 units: no cap listed—up to 2 STRs permitted (occupied, non‑occupied, or mix).
    • 3 units: STR non‑occupied may not exceed 50%; each of occupied and non‑occupied is limited to 1.
    • 4 units: STR non‑occupied may not exceed 50%; each of occupied and non‑occupied is limited to 1.
    • 5–23 units: STR non‑occupied may not exceed 25% of total units (e.g., 23 units → max 5 non‑occupied STRs).
    • 24+ units: STR non‑occupied may not exceed 12.5% of total units (e.g., 24 units → max 3; 50 units → max 6; 100 units → max 12).

Sanctions and revocation thresholds

• Three (3) violation notices at the same property within 24 consecutive months triggers revocation and a ban on new permits for that property for up to 12 months.
• Permit holders have 30 days to cure violations; 30‑day appeal right after revocation.
• The Building Commissioner may initiate revocation or review at any time for noncompliance or complaints.

State of Missouri (apply City rules first; state law is permissive unless/until the City’s rules are invalidated)

• Missouri Revised Statutes do not impose a statewide STR licensing or permit regime; the City’s Ordinance 71729 governs operations within City limits.
• Tax obligations:
  • Missouri lodging tax (typically 4.0%–4.5% at the state level) may apply depending on the property’s tax rate area and the transaction; confirm applicability with the City Collector/Revenue and Missouri Department of Revenue if you collect/ remit lodging taxes.

Sources:

• www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm
• www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/ordinances/ordinance.cfm?ord=71729

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• City of St. Louis—Building Division (Short‑Term Rental Permits)
  • Phone: 314‑622‑4800
  • Website: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm
  • Physical address: City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Saint Louis, MO 63103
• City of St. Louis—General Contact
  • Website: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/contact.cfm
• Citizen Service Bureau (CSB) — Report STR Nuisances
  • Website: www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/neighborhood-stabilization-office/citizens-service-bureau/csb-request-submit.cfm?action=level1&parentNodeId=43&instanceID=0
  • Phone (general City): 314‑622‑4800

Sources:

• www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm
• www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/contact.cfm
• www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/neighborhood-stabilization-office/citizens-service-bureau/csb-request-submit.cfm?action=level1&parentNodeId=43&instanceID=0

Source Pages and Links

• Short‑Term Rental Permits — City of St. Louis
  • www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/short-term-rental-permits/index.cfm
• Ordinance 71729 (Short‑Term Rentals) — City of St. Louis
  • www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/ordinances/ordinance.cfm?ord=71729
• City of St. Louis — Contact Page
  • www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/contact.cfm
• Citizen Service Bureau — Nuisance Complaint Form
  • www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/neighborhood-stabilization-office/citizens-service-bureau/csb-request-submit.cfm?action=level1&parentNodeId=43&instanceID=0

Note: Midtown‑Saint‑Louis is within the City of St. Louis, not St. Louis County. City rules apply; county rules do not govern operations in this market. State‑level Missouri law is largely permissive for STRs and defers to local ordinances like Ordinance 71729.