Animal Ordinances in St. Louis, MO (2026)
16 verified animal ordinances for St. Louis, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Backyard chickens are allowed in St. Louis under SLRC 10.28 with a limit of 8 hens on lots up to 10,000 sq ft. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must be 25 feet from any dwelling and 10 feet from property lines.
Animals: Chickens Backyard
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Dogs in St. Louis must be leashed in all public places under SLRC 10.08.010. Maximum leash length is 8 feet. Off-leash is permitted only within designated dog parks at Shaw Park, Gravois Park, and Wilmore Park. Violations carry $100-$500 fines.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
St. Louis City has maintained a pit bull ordinance under SLRC 10.20 requiring registration, liability insurance, and strict confinement for American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, and mixes. The policy has been debated repeatedly by the Board of Aldermen.
Animals: Breed Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsBeekeeping
Urban beekeeping is allowed in St. Louis under SLRC 10.12 with registration at the Missouri Department of Agriculture required per RSMo 264.011. Hives must be set back 10 feet from property lines and screened from neighbors.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsRSMo § 264.011
264.011. Title of law. — Sections 264.011 to 264.111 shall be known and may be cited as the "Missouri Apiculture Law".
Exotic Pets
St. Louis prohibits ownership of dangerous wild animals under SLRC 10.16 and RSMo 578.023. Banned species include large cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, and crocodilians. Violations carry $500 fines and animal seizure.
Animals: Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsRSMo § 578.023
578.023. Keeping a dangerous wild animal — penalty. — 1. A person commits the offense of keeping a dangerous wild animal if he or she keeps any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long, in ...
Wildlife Feeding
St. Louis prohibits feeding of feral cats, deer, raccoons, and other wildlife on public property and in ways that create nuisance or rodent attractants under SLRC 10.32. Songbird feeders are allowed if maintained to prevent rodent infestation.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
St. Louis prohibits keeping animals in numbers or conditions that exceed an owner's ability to provide minimum standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care under Title VI of the Revised Code.
St. Louis Animal Hoarding Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
St. Louis limits households to 4 dogs and 4 cats over 6 months of age without a kennel license under SLRC 10.04.050. Exceeding the limit requires a multi-animal permit or commercial kennel license and zoning approval.
Animals: Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
St. Louis requires cats four months and older to be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, and kept under control; free-roaming cats may be impounded by Animal Care and Control under Title VI.
St. Louis Cat Licensing and Rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
St. Louis encourages spay/neuter through reduced licensing fees and free or low-cost surgery vouchers; intact pet permits and breeder rules apply under Title VI of the Revised Code.
St. Louis Spay/Neuter Incentives
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
St. Louis Animal Care and Control microchips dogs and cats at adoption and impound, and city ordinances under Title VI require updated owner contact information for licensed pets.
St. Louis Pet Microchip Rules
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
St. Louis residents share parks and neighborhoods with coyotes, foxes, and raccoons; the city coordinates with Missouri Department of Conservation on coexistence guidance and addresses sick or aggressive animals on a case basis.
St. Louis Coyote and Urban Wildlife
Few RestrictionsPet Store Rules
St. Louis restricts pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats, requiring most retail sales to come from shelters or rescues under Title VI to combat puppy-mill sourcing in Missouri.
St. Louis Pet Store Sourcing Rules
Heavy RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
Veterinary clinics in St. Louis are permitted in commercial and mixed-use zones under the 2024 Form-Based Code, with overnight boarding and outdoor runs subject to additional review and noise standards.
St. Louis Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Some RestrictionsBird Protection
St. Louis sits on the Mississippi Flyway, and the city encourages bird-safe glass, lights-out programs during migration, and respects federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections enforced alongside city wildlife rules.
St. Louis Migratory Bird Protections
Some RestrictionsWildlife Rescue Permits
Rehabilitating injured native wildlife in St. Louis requires Missouri Department of Conservation permits; city Title VI bars holding native species as pets and Animal Care and Control routes calls to licensed rehabbers.