Historical November–December 2023 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
After years of procrastination, the city’s Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance on October 20 to regulate short-term rentals (STRs).
While neighborhood advocates contend the ordinance doesn’t go far enough, it has implications for Skinker-DeBaliviere.
On the effective date in one year (or sooner if “technically feasible”), operators must have an annual STR permit ($150.00), including an inspection for public health and safety, administered by the Building Division. Only individuals (not entities) may obtain a permit, with a limit of four per person, although entities may own the properties. Off-site operators (“Non-Occupants”) must also have a graduated business license. STRs may be located anywhere in the city, except that in singlefamily (District “A”) zones they will also require a conditional use permit (“CUP”).
This applies to the 61XX blocks of Washington, Westminster, Kingsbury and McPherson; Waterman between DeBaliviere and DesPeres; 58XX and 59XX blocks of Pershing; and all of DeGiverville.
The 60XX blocks are zoned “B” for duplexes. See: Citywide Zoning District Map (stlouis-mo.gov).
While Parkview is single-family residential, it must rely on enforcing its own private STR restrictions, which also applies to condominiums and homeowner associations.
The ordinance does not “supersede” private covenants and restrictions. STR listings in the city have more than doubled in the past four years from 1700 to approximately 3,800 today, generating resident complaints about nuisances, parties, parking, gun violence, eroding neighborhoods, and rising housing costs and rental rates.
As of August 2023, Skinker-DeBaliviere had 45 STR listings, which means we’ve lost a significant number of homeowners and long-term tenants.
The figure is higher in other neighborhoods: 397 STRs in the Central West End, 279 in Soulard, and 242 in Downtown. CUPs call for a public hearing allowing neighbors to raise concerns, and the city could deny the permit or add conditions.
However, neighborhood advocates contend that it transfers the burden from policymakers to individual residents, who must show up at hearings with objective concerns. Further, anecdotal experience from other cities indicates that the STR applicant may hire attorneys to tilt the playing field against neighbors who are unrepresented. For apartments, the ordinance limits the number of “Non-Occupant” STRs: for buildings with 3-4 units, not more than one permit and a cap of fifty percent (50%); buildings between five (5) and 23 units, not more than 25%; buildings with 24 or more units, not more than 12.5%.
A coalition of residents, “Neighborhoods are for Neighbors,” sought a total ban in all residential districts (A, B and C), except for owner-occupied STRs, and tighter limits on the number of STRs in apartment buildings.
These additional restrictions were supported by Ald. Cara Spencer (8th Ward) and Sharon Tyus (12th Ward) but rejected by the full BOA. “With this diluted ordinance,” said coalition organizer Michelle Pona, “the unrestricted growth of STRs will persist.
When we purchased our home in the Southeast Garden neighborhood, we never thought that a hotel would open up next door with transient guests that arrive at all hours of the day and night.
We have lost the stable residential environment that we had when we purchased our home. “Rather than be proactive and learn from other cities,” Pona added, “our aldermen opted for a ‘pass now, fix later’ strategy.
To preserve our right to quiet enjoyment of our homes, we need to prohibit non-owner occupied STRs in residential neighborhoods.” Additional restrictions: minimum stay of two (2) nights; limits on the number of occupants and parking spaces; proof of insurance and paid taxes. Internet platforms providing STR transactions must register.
The city may revoke a permit if the STR fails to comply with the ordinance or has at least three citations within a period of 24 months. Marvin Nodiff is a retired attorney and a long-time resident of Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood.
This story is not intended to provide legal advice.
Original photograph caption
Neighborhoods are for neighbors, not short term rentals sign.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2023.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2023_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 3.
