St. Louis Ordinance 71946: New Mold Requirements for Rental Properties

If you own rental property in St. Louis, you need to know about Ordinance 71946. It went into effect December 30, 2024, and sets clear requirements for how landlords handle mold.

This responds to a real problem. Nearly 20% of children in St. Louis have asthma, compared to less than 10% nationally. Mold contributes to respiratory issues, and about a quarter of landlord-tenant cases in the city involve mold disputes.

What the Ordinance Requires

Landlords must keep rental properties free from mold, prevent mold when possible, and fix any mold that appears.

Certificate of Inspection

You can't get or renew a Certificate of Inspection if mold is present. Inspectors find mold during an inspection? You need to remediate it before obtaining the certificate.

30-Day Timeline

When a Code Official notifies you that mold exists, you have 30 days to remediate it. You can request extensions if the work genuinely can't be done in that timeframe.

Tenant Notification

Within 5 business days of receiving notice about mold, you must inform affected tenants in writing and include information about mold hazards and remediation.

Penalties

Violations bring fines up to $500, with each day counting separately. The Code Official can also revoke your Certificate of Inspection, condemn the unit, and order it vacated.

Why This Matters Now

Before this ordinance, St. Louis had no specific mold regulations for rental properties. Tenants had limited recourse even when mold clearly caused health problems.

The ordinance also acknowledges climate reality. Intense storms and increased rainfall create conditions where mold thrives, especially in buildings that aren't properly maintained.

Landlord Responsibilities

Property owners must:

  • Keep units and common areas free from mold
  • Prevent foreseeable mold occurrence
  • Address root causes like roof leaks, plumbing problems, and poor ventilation
  • Fix mold quickly when discovered
  • Provide documentation to building inspectors
    • Cosmetic fixes don't count. You need to identify and fix the moisture source, not just wipe down visible mold.

    Tenant Responsibilities

    Tenants should:

  • Clean areas prone to mold (bathroom tiles, shower stalls, window moldings)
  • Use exhaust fans or open windows to vent moisture
  • Keep dehumidifiers running if the landlord provides them
  • Report mold as soon as they notice it

    • Tenants can't be fined for failing to do these things. The ordinance includes anti-retaliation protections. You can't defer maintenance or threaten tenants just because they reported code violations.

    Common Mold Scenarios in St. Louis Rentals

    We see these situations repeatedly:

  • Basement units with poor waterproofing or drainage
  • Bathrooms without exhaust fans
  • HVAC systems that aren't maintained
  • Unaddressed roof leaks
  • Plumbing leaks in walls or under sinks
  • Properties that flooded and weren't properly dried

    • Regular maintenance prevents many of these problems. But once mold establishes itself, you need professional remediation.

    How Claro - Complete Mold Remediation - St. Louis Helps

    Doing mold remediation right matters. Clean visible mold without fixing the moisture problem and you'll be back where you started in a few month.

    Inspection and Assessment

    We identify where mold is growing and why. Roof leak? Poor ventilation? Plumbing issues? Condensation? Knowing the cause means we can fix it permanently, which is what the ordinance requires.

    Proper Protocol

    We follow industry standards. We contain the affected area to prevent spore spread, remove contaminated materials safely, treat surfaces with antimicrobial solutions, and ensure everything is completely dry.

    Documentation

    You get thorough documentation of our work to provide to the Building Division. This shows you've taken necessary steps to remediate mold and address underlying issues.

    Fast Response

    With a 30-day window, you can't afford delays. We prioritize landlord projects and work efficiently to get properties back to habitable condition.

    Prevention Strategies

    Beyond immediate remediation, we help you prevent mold from returning. This might include ventilation improvements, dehumidification systems, drainage fixes, or maintenance schedules for high-risk areas.

    The Remediation Process

    Initial Assessment: We inspect the property, identify all mold growth, determine the moisture source, and assess contamination extent.

    Fix Moisture Sources: Before treating mold, we address the underlying moisture problems. This creates a dry, healthy environment where mold can't regrow.

    Air Filtration: We use HEPA air scrubbers to remove airborne spores during remediation.

    Whole-Home Dry Fog Treatment: Unlike traditional methods that only treat visible mold, our patented dry fog technology fills your entire property with ultra-fine particles that penetrate walls, ductwork, furniture, and all surfaces. This eliminates 99.9% of mold throughout your home in 6-12 hours. No demolition, no harsh chemicals, and you can re-enter within minutes of completion.

    Antimicrobial Barrier: We apply a protective barrier that stops future mold growth on contact, backed by our 1-year mold-free guarantee.

    Next Steps

    If you've received notice about mold or suspect you have a problem, Claro - Complete Mold Remediation - St. Louis can help you address it quickly and completely.

    We understand local building codes and Ordinance 71946 requirements. Our goal is getting your property back to safe, habitable condition while helping you stay compliant.

    Contact us to schedule an inspection. We'll assess the situation, explain what needs to be done, and give you a clear timeline and estimate.