Cape Girardeau, MO local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Missouri landlord-tenant law and the Missouri landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rental licensing / registration | Rental housing covered by this code must be registered, licensed or permitted with the city. The code states: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or operate or cause to be rented within the city any dwelling or dwelling unit either as an owner or operator, unless the owner has obtained a landlord license and occupancy permit for each rental dwelling or dwelling unit and paid all applicable fees as provided in this article" (§ 15-373). |
Details & sources
Rental licensing / registration
Rental housing covered by this code must be registered, licensed or permitted with the city. The code states: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct or operate or cause to be rented within the city any dwelling or dwelling unit either as an owner or operator, unless the owner has obtained a landlord license and occupancy permit for each rental dwelling or dwelling unit and paid all applicable fees as provided in this article" (§ 15-373).
Verified Source: Cape Girardeau Code of Ordinances § 15-373 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Missouri rules that also apply in Cape Girardeau:
- Security deposit limit
- No more than two months' rent. Since Aug. 28, 2025, cities and counties may not set their own deposit caps (RSMo 441.043.2(3)). Verified Source: RSMo § 535.300(1); RSMo § 441.043.2(3) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Missouri security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Within 30 days after the tenancy ends: return the full deposit, or an itemized list of damages for any amount kept. Verified Source: RSMo § 535.300(3) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Missouri deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- Missouri's landlord-tenant statutes (RSMo ch. 441 and 535) set no notice requirement for landlord entry (full-text search of the chapters). Verified Source: RSMo ch. 441, 535 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Missouri notice to enter page
- Late fees
- Missouri's landlord-tenant statutes (RSMo ch. 441 and 535) set no late-fee cap or rule (full-text search of the chapters). Verified Source: RSMo ch. 441, 535 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Missouri late fees page
Other Missouri cities
- Belton landlord rules
- Branson landlord rules
- Columbia landlord rules
- Ferguson landlord rules
- Hannibal landlord rules
- Independence landlord rules
- Kansas City landlord rules
- Mountain Grove landlord rules
- Springfield landlord rules
- St. Louis landlord rules
- Sunset Hills landlord rules
Back to Missouri landlord-tenant law
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