St. Louis City requires a Certificate of Inspection before a rental unit is occupied, with a $120 application fee, or $200 if the unit is already occupied without a current certificate.
St. Louis City ties rental occupancy to an inspection certificate and a mandatory registration program, so a newly purchased rental needs an inspection certificate before a tenant moves in and must also be registered. For the Missouri rules that apply statewide, see DSCR loans in Missouri.
What inspection does a St. Louis rental need?
St. Louis City requires a Certificate of Inspection before a rental unit is occupied, with reinspection every three years or at each change in occupancy, at a $120 application fee, or $200 if the unit is already occupied without a current certificate.
- A certificate is valid for 12 months.
- If a certificate issues with violations, the owner has 30 days to repair.
- Owner-occupied properties are exempt from the three-year reinspection.
Exception: Fees and procedures can change. Check the city's occupancy permit page before you buy.
According to City of St. Louis, Residential Occupancy Permits, as of October 2026.
Do St. Louis rentals have to be registered?
Yes. Ordinance 71835, effective April 26, 2024, establishes mandatory registration of residential rental units through the city's Housing Conservation Program, along with inspections and a penalty clause.
- The ordinance also covers issuance and revocation of Certificates of Inspection.
Exception: The registration fee, deadline and exemptions were not confirmed from the ordinance text. Check with the city's Housing Conservation Program.
According to City of St. Louis Ordinance 71835, as of October 2026.
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