Council tables short-term rental ordinance after owners and residents raise concerns

The St. Charles County Council on May 26 tabled a proposed ordinance that would add Section 660 (Bill No. 5490) to county code governing short‑term rentals after owners and residents urged clarifications and raised enforcement concerns.

Doug Cary and Ashley Cary, St. Charles residents who operate short‑term rentals, told the council they maintain their properties to high standards and asked for clarification of proposed fees, whether existing owners would be grandfathered and how a 600‑foot buffer would apply. "We want clarity on the fees and whether owners like us will be grandfathered," Ashley Cary said. Council members and the owners said they had not received clear notice or opportunity for input on some provisions.

Opponents including Tony Lovasco of Wentzville and resident Bob Eno described harms they attribute to some short‑term rentals. Lovasco said the bill's language could reach ordinary homeowner uses and was broader than intended; Eno said a five‑bedroom rental in his neighborhood had produced noise, fights and overoccupancy, arguing that some short‑term rentals behave like commercial operations and should be regulated.

Council members discussed the buffer, fees and scope and agreed additional work was needed. Councilman Joe Brazil moved to table the bill; the motion was seconded by Councilman Dave Hammond and approved by all members present. The council asked staff to schedule a work session to refine language and address grandfathering, buffers and fee structure before bringing the ordinance back for further consideration.

The ordinance would create Section 660 of the Ordinances of St. Charles County (OSCCMO) relating to short‑term rentals; sponsors listed in the minutes were Councilwoman Patti York and Councilman Tim Baker. No final vote on the ordinance occurred on May 26; next steps will depend on the work‑session outcome.