St. Louis's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In St. Louis, Missouri, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing a tree from City-owned land or the street right-of-way requires a 'permit to maintain' from the Forestry Commissioner plus a reforestation fee: trees on private property aren't covered by this permit.

Key details: Applies to: City-owned trees and right-of-way trees. Issuing authority: Commissioner of Forestry. Fee: Reforestation fee scaled to trunk size. Private-property trees: Not covered unless declared a hazard. No-permit penalty: $500 fine per City tree.

Removing a City tree without a permit: $500 flat fine plus replacement costs, capped at $500 per tree (§ 22.48.150.D). Other chapter violations: $100–$500 fine or up to 30 days jail, each day a separate offense (§ 22.48.240.A).

Composting

St. Louis encourages residents to mulch or compost grass clippings and yard waste at home instead of using city refuse containers, with no permit or bin standard required under the code.

Key details: Composting requirement: Encouraged, not mandatory. Bin or method standards: None specified in code. Governing chapter: Revised Code Ch. 11.85. Non-composted yard waste: Must go in marked container. Violation penalty: $100-$500 fine, up to 90 days.

Violating Chapter 11.85's yard-waste placement and container rules carries a fine of $100 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, at the court's discretion.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find St. Louis gives residents more flexibility on composting.

Tree Trimming

St. Louis requires trees, shrubs and plants citywide to be kept clear of streets, sidewalks, traffic signs and intersections, and lets the Forestry Commissioner order an owner to fix or remove growth that blocks them.

Key details: Enforcing agency: Forestry Commissioner, Div. of Forestry. City-tree pruning: requires a permit to maintain. General fine: $100-$500, or 30 days jail. Private-tree nuisance order: abate or pay $250 fine. Covers: streets, sidewalks, signs, intersections.

General chapter violations: $100-$500 fine or up to 30 days jail, each day a continuing violation is a separate offense. Ignoring a Commissioner abatement order for a private-tree clearance hazard adds a $250 fine (§ 22.48.200.G).

Rainwater Harvesting

St. Louis homeowners in one- and two-family dwellings can install a rainwater collection tank up to 65 gallons, or interconnected tanks totaling 200 gallons, without hiring a licensed Master Drainlayer.

Key details: Homeowner tank limit: 65 gallons single tank. Interconnected tank cap: 200 gallons total. Eligible dwellings: One- and two-family attached homes only. Installer required otherwise: Licensed Master Drainlayer. Max penalty: $500 fine or 90 days jail.

Violating the Plumbing Code's rainwater-tank licensing rules, installing beyond the 65-gallon homeowner exemption without a Master Drainlayer, draws up to a $500 fine, 90 days in jail, or both; each day is a separate offense.

Weed Ordinances

St. Louis declares weeds and unattended vegetation over seven inches tall a public nuisance. The Forestry Commissioner can order or perform abatement and bill the property owner for the full cost of the work.

Key details: Height limit: 7 inches before it's a nuisance. Enforcing agency: Forestry Commissioner. Fine range: $50 to $500 per violation. Abatement window: Start in 2 days, finish in 5. Unpaid bill: Becomes a lien on the property.

Fine of $50 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, at the court's discretion; each day a weed or debris nuisance continues unabated after notice is a separate violation under § 11.04.140.

The Bottom Line

St. Louis's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming St. Louis is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects St. Louis's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.