Home Business in St. Louis, MO (2026)
6 verified home business rules for St. Louis, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning Restrictions
St. Louis Zoning Code §26.40 allows Home Occupations as accessory uses in all residential districts. Business must be clearly secondary to residential use, conducted by residents only (no non-resident employees), occupy no more than 25% of floor area, and generate no external evidence of activity.
home-business/zoning
Some RestrictionsSignage Rules
St. Louis home occupations are not permitted to display any external signage, window displays, or other visual evidence of the business.
Home Business: Signage
Heavy RestrictionsCustomer Traffic Restrictions
St. Louis home occupations may have only limited customer visits, typically not more than 1-2 clients per hour during normal business hours, with off-street parking required.
Home Business: Customer Traffic
Some RestrictionsCottage Food Operations
Missouri cottage food law (RSMo 196.298) allows St. Louis residents to sell non-potentially hazardous homemade foods directly to consumers without a health permit. Sales capped at $50,000 per year.
Home Business: Cottage Food
Few RestrictionsRSMo § 196.298
196.298. Definitions — operation not deemed food service establishment, when — no state or local regulation. — 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean: (1) "Baked good", includes cookies, cakes, breads, danish, donuts, pastries, pies, and other items that are prepared by baking the item in an oven. A baked good does not include a potentially hazardous food item as defined by ...
Home Daycare
Family child care homes in St. Louis need Missouri DHSS licensing under 19 CSR 30-61 when caring for 5 or more unrelated children. City zoning allows licensed home daycare as a home occupation in residential districts.
Home Business: Daycare Home
Some RestrictionsHome Occupation Permits
St. Louis requires a Home Occupation Waiver plus a Graduated Business License for home-based businesses. Zoning Code 26.08.380 bars outside employees and restricts customer visits and signage.