St. Louis single-family districts typically cap building lot coverage at 40-50% and total impervious coverage at 60-70%. Historic narrow lots in Soulard and Benton Park often exceed modern coverage ratios legally as nonconforming.
Title XXVI Zoning sets maximum lot coverage by district. A (Single-Family): building coverage typically 40-50%, total impervious including driveways and patios around 60-70%. B (Two-Family): 50-60% building coverage. C (Multifamily): up to 80% coverage. Downtown and form-based districts often allow 100% coverage with required setbacks only. St. Louis has many narrow 25-ft-wide lots in historic neighborhoods with brick row houses that cover most of the lot; these are legal nonconforming structures. New construction must meet current coverage standards. MSD stormwater requirements (see environmental/stormwater) add impervious surface review for larger projects.
Excess coverage: stop-work, redesign required, possible removal of impervious area.
St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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See how St. Louis's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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