Understanding Short-Term Rental Regulations
Imagine this: your neighbor decides to open up their home on Airbnb to rent out for a weekend getaway. Maryland Heights, after all, is a fantastic place to visit—from families attending sports tournament to groups of friends stopping in to watch their favorite band in concert. With nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, our city already boasts accommodations from all major hotel chains, as well as a variety of independent hotels.
Short-term rental, the opportunity to rent your place out through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, has gained population in recent years. For some of us, it's a great way to embrace the hospitality industry. However, you should know that City Council has recently adopted regulations for short-term rental of residential properties to strike a balance between enjoying the perks of playing host and preserving the integrity and peace of your hometown neighborhood.
While the Maryland Heights Municipal Code did not specifically prohibit short-term rental, the occupancy permit process (which requires an inspection and permit upon each change in tenant) made it quite impossible for short-term renting to exist legally. In an effort to facilitate well-ran, short-term rental properties and enforce strict regulations that control nuisance properties, the Maryland Heights Police Department and Department of Community Development have prepared regulations to govern short-term rental.
These regulations include:
These regulations will go into effect on January 1, 2024. They not only lay down ground rules for short-term rental to adhere to but they also prevent single-family homes from turning into bustling hotels. It's a win-win for everyone involved.
If you have any questions about short-term rental or would like to apply for an occupancy permit for a short-term rental, please contact the Department of Community Development at (314) 738-2232 or planning@marylandheights.com.
Short-term rental, the opportunity to rent your place out through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, has gained population in recent years. For some of us, it's a great way to embrace the hospitality industry. However, you should know that City Council has recently adopted regulations for short-term rental of residential properties to strike a balance between enjoying the perks of playing host and preserving the integrity and peace of your hometown neighborhood.
While the Maryland Heights Municipal Code did not specifically prohibit short-term rental, the occupancy permit process (which requires an inspection and permit upon each change in tenant) made it quite impossible for short-term renting to exist legally. In an effort to facilitate well-ran, short-term rental properties and enforce strict regulations that control nuisance properties, the Maryland Heights Police Department and Department of Community Development have prepared regulations to govern short-term rental.
These regulations include:
- Defining "short-term rental"
- Limiting the rental to the entire dwelling, rather than individual rooms, to prevent multi-family occupancy of single-family homes
- Detailing what type of parking control is required
- Prohibiting signage
- Limiting the number of occupants
- Limiting the duration of the rental
- Requiring that state the owner or manager must live within a one-hour drive to ensure responsiveness.
- Making initial and annual occupancy inspections required
- Enforcing the collection of fees, including a 0.5 cent lodging tax
- Establishing enforcement mechanisms, including a process for the City Council to revoke the permit for noncompliance.
These regulations will go into effect on January 1, 2024. They not only lay down ground rules for short-term rental to adhere to but they also prevent single-family homes from turning into bustling hotels. It's a win-win for everyone involved.
If you have any questions about short-term rental or would like to apply for an occupancy permit for a short-term rental, please contact the Department of Community Development at (314) 738-2232 or planning@marylandheights.com.