Backyard chickens are allowed in St. Louis under SLRC 10.28 with a limit of 8 hens on lots up to 10,000 sq ft. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must be 25 feet from any dwelling and 10 feet from property lines.
St. Louis City permits residential chicken-keeping under SLRC Chapter 10.28.020. Residents may keep up to 8 hens on lots up to 10,000 square feet and up to 12 hens on larger parcels. Roosters are completely prohibited within city limits due to noise. Coops and runs must be located at least 25 feet from any dwelling on adjacent property, at least 10 feet from any property line, and must be kept clean and odor-free. Coop construction requires no separate permit under 120 sq ft and not exceeding 8 feet in height. Slaughtering on-site is prohibited except for emergency humane dispatch. No sale of eggs or meat from residential properties without a food-handler permit. The St. Louis Food Policy Coalition and urban agriculture groups have supported expanded rules. Ducks and other fowl are treated similarly to chickens. Nuisance complaints are investigated by Animal Care and Control.
$100 first offense; $300 for rooster or oversized flock. Order to remove excess birds or relocate coop within 30 days.
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