St. Louis County, MO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SLCRO § 1003.111
- Domestic animals/farming
- Permitted use in R-1
- Private stables
- Permitted accessory use
- Dairy farms, riding stables
- Require conditional use permit
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Planning
Summary
St. Louis County's R-1 residential zoning district allows farming and domestic animals as a permitted use, with private stables allowed as an accessory use to a home.
Permitted land uses and developments...(6) Farming, including the cultivation and sale of any plant crops and domestic animals....Accessory uses include the following...(6) Private stables....Conditional land use and development permits...(19) Riding stables and kennels.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Traffic: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Unlike a straight prohibition, the county's baseline single-family zone treats keeping livestock as normal: Section 1003.111 lists "farming, including the cultivation and sale of any plant crops and domestic animals" among the by-right permitted uses in the R-1 Residence District, and lists private stables as a permitted accessory use to a residence. Larger-scale operations aren't automatic, though, a dairy farm or a riding stable/kennel in an R-1 district needs a conditional use permit from the County Council through the Planning Commission process, not just a building permit. The same permitted-use language for domestic animals also appears in the county's Non-Urban (NU) district, which is the default zoning for unincorporated land outside cities.
Violations & Fines
Operating a dairy farm, riding stable, or kennel in R-1 without an approved conditional use permit is a zoning violation subject to enforcement by the Department of Planning and possible court referral by the County Counselor's office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep livestock on my residential lot in unincorporated St. Louis County?
Do I need a permit to run a dairy farm or riding stable in an R-1 district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis County
How St. Louis County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare St. Louis County to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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