Webster Groves council directs staff to draft new rules for accessory dwelling units and short‑term rentals

Planning Director John Wagner told the council that an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is “really just…a self‑contained residence” on the same lot as a primary home, with a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.

Wagner said municipalities vary widely in how they regulate ADUs: some require large minimum lot sizes, others cap unit square footage or forbid rentals. He listed potential benefits — housing for relatives or caregivers, supplemental rental income — and common community concerns, including changes to neighborhood character, privacy and parking demand.

Council members focused on two core questions: whether ADUs should be permitted to be rented and whether short‑term rentals (STRs) should be allowed in ADUs. Council Member Smith said he supported allowing ADUs but opposed using whole properties solely as short‑term rental hotels. “I don’t think it fits with the character of the Webster Groves community for a property to be used only for short‑term rentals,” Smith said. Council Member Alexander and others said ADUs that are never owner‑occupied may raise neighborhood concerns and suggested guardrails such as limits on the number of properties a single owner may operate as STRs.

Staff and other speakers explained technical constraints that influence rulemaking. Joe Rodriguez, building commissioner, discussed electrical‑service limits that can prevent separate meters for ADUs; Assistant Chief Wiemer noted safety and emergency‑response reasons for single‑service approaches. Council members asked staff to consult the fire department on whether separate electrical services can be permitted and raised permitting and inspection regimes for rental uses.

After discussion, council directed staff — specifically Planning Director John Wagner and Deputy City Manager David Bookless — to draft two redlined ordinance versions for future consideration: one set of changes focused on expanded ADU allowances including options for renting, and a second focused on short‑term rental regulation (owner‑occupancy requirements, caps on units owned by a single operator, registration/inspection and tax collection options). Council expressed interest in also considering an intermediate rental category for stays longer than 14 days but shorter than one month to accommodate visiting professors or traveling nurses.

Next steps identified by staff include community outreach, coordination with the fire and building departments on safety standards, and return of draft ordinance language for plan‑commission review and later council consideration.

Council did not adopt ordinance language at the meeting; it instead provided direction for staff redlines and further review.