Springfield, MO Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Auto repair/painting expressly prohibited
- Authority
- LDC § 36-451(5)(b)
- Only exception
- Accessory to store selling auto parts
- Applies
- Citywide, all residential districts
Summary
Springfield, Missouri's Land Development Code expressly excludes auto repairing and painting from the list of permitted home occupations, so residents cannot run a car repair or paint business out of their home.
(5)Particular home occupations prohibited. Permitted home occupations shall not in any event be deemed to include the following types of activities and uses:(a)Animal hospitals, stables, or kennels.(b)Auto repairing and painting.(c)Boarding and lodging houses, unless specifically permitted by the district regulations.(d)Dancing schools and studios.(e)Dispatching of transfer and moving vans.(f)Furniture repairing and refinishing.(g)Medical offices for doctors, dentists, and veterinarians.(h)Nursery schools and day care centers, unless specifically permitted by the district regulations.(i)Palm reading or fortune telling.(j)Photofinishing.(k)Portrait studios.(l)Preparation of food for sale, except as permitted by section 36-451(3).(m)Private clubs.(n)Radio and television repair shops.(o)Raising animals for sale.(p)Restaurants.(q)Shops for contractors and tradesmen, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.(r)Sign painting.(s)Trash hauler operations other than a home office.(t)Escort services. (Zoning Ord., § 5-1100; G.O. 4781, 3-2-08; G.O. 5594, 8-21-06; G.O. 6497, § 1, 1-28-19; G.O. 6520, § 1, 4-22-19; G.O. 6574, § 1, 2-24-20; G.O. 6624, § 1, 11-30-20; G.O. 6703, § 2, 1-24-22)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 36-451(5) of the Springfield Land Development Code lists the activities that 'shall not in any event be deemed' permitted home occupations, and subsection (b) names 'auto repairing and painting' outright. The only vehicle-related work the code allows at a residence is limited automobile service tied to a variety, discount, or department store as an accessory use under Section 36-450(3)(b)7: a commercial, non-residential setting. A homeowner who wants to run an auto repair or body shop must locate in a zoning district that permits that use as a principal business, not operate it as a home occupation.
Violations & Fines
Operating auto repair or painting as a home occupation is a listed prohibited use under Section 36-451(5)(b) and can draw zoning code enforcement and loss of any home occupation standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix cars for money out of my Springfield, MO home?
Is there any way to do auto repair work at a residence in Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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