What St. Louis Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

St. Louis is a mid-sized city in St. Louis City, Missouri, with about 302000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 204 ordinances across 42 categories that affect daily life in St. Louis.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: St. Louis street trees (in the public right-of-way between sidewalk and curb) require a permit from the Forestry Division before any trimming or removal under Ord.

Also covered: Water Restrictions (permissive), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Missouri §285.055 bars cities like St. Louis from setting a minimum wage above the state floor, ending the city's 2017 $10/hour ordinance and limiting living-wage rules to public contracts and subsidies..

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: St. Louis requires all residential pools with water deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a 48-inch minimum barrier under SLRC 25.60 and the 2018 IRC.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Height Limits (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for St. Louis for details.

Animal Ordinances

Dog Leash Laws: Dogs in St. Louis must be leashed in all public places under SLRC 10.08.010.

Also covered: Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Pet Limits (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for St. Louis for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: St. Louis allows state-licensed medical and adult-use (comprehensive) dispensaries in designated zoning districts subject to a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, daycares, and churches.

Also covered: Buffer Zones (moderate), Cannabis Delivery Rules (moderate), Personal Cultivation Limits (permissive). See the full cannabis regulations guide for St. Louis for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Stormwater in St. Louis managed by the Metropolitan St.

Also covered: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (permissive), Gas Leaf Blower Ban (permissive), Climate Emergency Mobilization (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Noise Ordinances

Construction Hours: Construction noise in St. Louis is generally permitted 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday and holiday work requiring special permission.

Also covered: Vehicle Noise (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for St. Louis for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open burning is generally prohibited within St. Louis City limits under both City Code and Missouri DNR air quality regulations.

Also covered: Smoke Detectors (strict), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for St. Louis for details.

Parking Rules

Overnight Parking: St. Louis generally permits overnight on-street parking in residential neighborhoods except during snow emergencies or on posted street cleaning routes.

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), EV Charging (permissive), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: St. Louis requires a building permit for all pools holding water 24 inches or deeper.

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for St. Louis for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: St. Louis home occupations are not permitted to display any external signage, window displays, or other visual evidence of the business..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for St. Louis for details.

Accessory Structures

Garage Conversions: Converting a garage into livable space in St. Louis requires a Building Division permit, zoning review, and compliance with residential code..

Also covered: ADU Rules (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate), Tiny Homes (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for St. Louis for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: St. Louis STRs must follow the Chapter 15 noise code with quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM.

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Occupancy Limits (moderate), Night Caps (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for St. Louis for details.

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: Missouri enforces HOA CCRs under the Merchants and Property Owners Association Act and covenant law. HOAs can fine, lien, and seek injunctions.

Also covered: Board Procedures (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate), Architectural Review (strict). See the full hoa rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: St. Louis city parks generally close to the public from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (strict). See the full curfew laws guide for St. Louis for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: St. Louis Lead Safe Housing Ordinance (Chapter 11.72) requires lead inspection and certification for pre-1978 rentals.

Also covered: Elevator Maintenance (strict), Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate), Pest Control (moderate). See the full building safety guide for St. Louis for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: St. Louis adopted welcoming-city policies in 2017 limiting local cooperation with ICE detainers, but Missouri's 2021 SAPA framework and §67.307 force the city to honor most federal cooperation requirements..

Local Taxes & Fees

Business Tax Classification: St. Louis imposes a 1% earnings tax on residents' wages, non-residents' wages earned in the city, and net business profits, requiring voter renewal every five years under Missouri statute..

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: Missouri Mo. §407.926 (effective 2024) raised the minimum tobacco and vape purchase age to 21 statewide, aligning with federal Tobacco 21.

Also covered: Vape Retail Rules (moderate). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for St. Louis for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: St. Louis requires a Certificate of Inspection for one and two-family rentals at change of occupancy, plus occupancy permits for tenants.

Also covered: Security Deposit Rules (moderate), No-Fault Evictions (permissive), Tenant Anti-Harassment (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Public Health Rules

Rodent Control: St. Louis maintains a Rodent Control Program through the Health Department's Vector Control unit, requiring property owners to abate harborage and authorizing city baiting of alleys and right-of-way..

Also covered: Restaurant Grade Cards (moderate), Bed-Bug Rules (moderate), Syringe Disposal (permissive). See the full public health rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: St. Louis enforces general sidewalk-obstruction and pedestrian-passage ordinances rather than a stand-alone sit-lie ban, while public-conduct and sleeping-in-public rules still allow officers to clear blocking encampments downtown..

Also covered: Encampment Sanitation (moderate), Bridge Housing Siting (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: St. Louis cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee.

Also covered: Polystyrene Foam Rules (permissive), Plastic Straw Rules (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for St. Louis for details.

Water Use Rules

Lawn Watering Restrictions: St. Louis has no day-of-week or time-of-day lawn watering restrictions.

Also covered: Leak Reporting Duty (moderate), Recycled Water Rules (permissive). See the full water use rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Specific Plans Overview: St. Louis adopted a citywide Form-Based Code in 2024, replacing the 1947/1993 Euclidean zoning.

Also covered: Density Bonus Law (moderate), Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for St. Louis for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: St. Louis permits shared e-scooters under a Streets Department permit framework with operator caps, geofenced no-ride zones, and 15 mph speed limits.

Also covered: Bike Lane Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Tree Protection

Parkway Planting: Title XX places street trees in the public right-of-way under the Forestry Division. Property owners abut but do not own parkway trees; planting, pruning, and removal require a city forestry permit and approved species list..

Also covered: Urban Forest Equity (moderate), Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (permissive). See the full tree protection guide for St. Louis for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Adult Entertainment: St. Louis regulates adult cabarets and bookstores under Title XI, requiring a special business license, distance buffers from schools, churches, parks, and residential zones, and on-site manager registration with SLMPD..

Also covered: Tobacco Retail License (moderate), Pawnbrokers (strict), Secondhand Dealers (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for St. Louis for details.

Public Conduct

Aggressive Panhandling: St. Louis prohibits aggressive panhandling — touching, blocking, threatening language, or solicitation near ATMs and bus stops — while leaving passive sign-holding protected under the First Amendment..

Also covered: Public Urination (moderate), Public Alcohol Use (permissive), Skateboarding Rules (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for St. Louis for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Hotel Living Wage: The St. Louis Living Wage Ordinance requires city contractors and tax-incentivized employers — including hotels receiving TIF or tax abatements — to pay above the Missouri minimum wage with health benefits..

Also covered: Transient Occupancy Tax (moderate). See the full hotels & lodging guide for St. Louis for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: St. Louis adopts the 2018 International Fire Code under SLRC Title 25.

Also covered: Smoker Rules (permissive), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for St. Louis for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: St. Louis has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights.

Also covered: Inflatable Display Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for St. Louis for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: St. Louis permits rooftop solar PV installations through the Building Division with electrical and building permits.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for St. Louis for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Temporary holiday decorations and lighting are generally allowed on residential property in St. Louis without a permit.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for St. Louis for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: St. Louis runs a formal Problem Properties Program and Building Division condemnation process targeting blighted, vacant, and derelict structures.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Vacant Lot Maintenance (strict). See the full property maintenance guide for St. Louis for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: St. Louis addresses light trespass through general nuisance provisions.

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (permissive). See the full outdoor lighting guide for St. Louis for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bin Placement Rules: St. Louis dumpsters and refuse carts must stay in the rear yard or alley service area.

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for St. Louis for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone pilots in St. Louis must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization for flights within Lambert Airport Class B airspace.

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for St. Louis for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: St. Louis setback requirements vary by zoning district.

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for St. Louis for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: St. Louis does not require a permit for occasional household garage sales.

Also covered: Frequency Limits (permissive), Time Restrictions (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for St. Louis for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: St. Louis restricts food truck vending near brick-and-mortar restaurants (typically 200 ft buffer downtown) and prohibits parking on residential streets.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for St. Louis for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door solicitors in St. Louis must obtain a Peddler or Solicitor license from the Business License office and carry the permit while working.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for St. Louis for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in St. Louis, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.