Jefferson County, MO Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Table entry
- "Pet/animal grooming and/or training(H)"
- Home occupation floor-area cap
- 33% of dwelling's gross floor area
- Non-resident employees allowed at home
- One (1) person
- Appeal of denial
- 14 days to Planning and Zoning Commission
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 1 year jail, per day
- Geographic reach
- Unincorporated Jefferson County only
Summary
Jefferson County's Unified Development Order lists "Pet/animal grooming and/or training" as a Table 5-1 permitted use in the unincorporated county, tagged (H) for Home Occupation. Run from a house, it must satisfy Section 400.2890's accessory-use conditions, including a 33% floor-area cap and a one-outside-employee limit, or the operation is prohibited outright.
P = Use permitted by right ... X = Per approved plan ...
Pet/animal grooming and/or training(H) P X X
... Any proposed home occupation not specifically permitted in Table 5-1 of Article V, Zoning Districts, of this UDO shall be prohibited. ...
(7) No persons other than self or family members residing on the premises, plus one (1) additional person not residing on the premises, shall be employed or involved in any business activity related to the home occupation on the premises;
(8) No more than thirty-three percent (33%) of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit shall be used for the operation of the home occupation inside the residential dwelling or accessory structure
Full Breakdown
2890, but only if it stays clearly secondary to the home's residential use, does not change the home's outward appearance, uses no more than 33% of the dwelling's gross floor area, and employs no one besides household members plus one outside person. Deliveries must be limited to parcel-post-type vehicles, no outside storage is allowed, and noise, odor, vibration, heat or glare cannot exceed what a normal residence produces. The Director of County Services and Code Enforcement approves qualifying home occupations; a denial can be appealed in writing to the Planning and Zoning Commission within 14 days.
shall be prohibited," so a grooming business must appear on the table to qualify either as a stand-alone commercial use or as a home occupation. Because Missouri counties zone only the unincorporated area, this table has no reach inside Arnold, Festus, Pevely, De Soto or the county's other incorporated cities, which regulate grooming shops under their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Operating pet grooming or training outside a district where it is listed, or running it from home without meeting Section 400.2890's conditions, is a UDO violation under Section 400.140: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to one year imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Director can also order correction within 10 days before referring the matter for prosecution or injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I groom pets out of my house in Jefferson County?
Does a commercial pet grooming shop need a permit in Jefferson County?
What happens if a grooming business violates the zoning rules?
Does this rule apply inside Arnold or Festus?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.