ST. LOUIS—Short-term rental housing permit applications should be available by the end of next year, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said Monday after signing two bills into law to regulate the industry after years of complaints about out-of-control parties that have led to violence.

What You Need To Know

  • After years of no regulation, St. Louis will now require a permit to operate a short-term rental property and a single owner will only be able to have a permit for four units citywide.

  • The permit must list an agent who would be available to address concerns and complaints

  • The new law bans single-night bookings

  • Violations of the city's noise ordinances could lead to fines and the immediate loss of a permit

“We’ve seen the headlines and videos from downtown, the Central West End, Shaw and other neighborhoods where parties at short-term rentals have led to escalated violence,” Jones said. “We do need more safe and productive spaces for our youth to have fun and make friends but a party at an Airbnb ain’t it. It’s a disruption to our neighborhoods and temporarily removing a listing is not enough." 

Under the new measures, short-term rentals, which the city says currently numbers around 4,000, will be allowed under the zoning code across St. Louis, but with several restrictions.

A permit holder will only be able to have four short-term rental units citywide, and there will be limits on the number of short-term rentals allowed in a multi-unit building.

Short-term rentals won’t be permitted in buildings funded through tax increment financing or tax abatement.

The new law also bans one-night stays.

“There’s virtually no accountability there, then, you’re not worried what the neighbors think. You’re not worried about what the police department thinks, you’re not even necessarily worried about what the owner of the home thinks because you’re there today and gone tomorrow,” said the bill sponsor, Alderman Bret Narayan. “I think the two-night minimum helps to alleviate the party situation while still ensuring that someone who wants to come into our city for the weekend with their family can find a place that’s going to be suitable for their needs.”

Violations of the city's noise ordinances could lead to fines and the immediate loss of a short-term rental permit.

The legislation crossed the finish line after years of debate and opposition from those who either wanted a complete ban on short-term rentals or no regulation.

“This piece is of legislation is the compromise point where the vast majority of my colleagues said we’re all equally frustrated with this and we can move forward,” Narayan said.