Building Setbacks & Zoning in Jefferson County, MO (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Jefferson County, Missouri.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Jefferson County's Unified Development Order fixes minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks by zoning district in unincorporated areas, measured from the street right-of-way or access easement line, whichever is more restrictive, under Table 5-3.
Jefferson County Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code § 400.1670 (Table 5-3)
All buildings on a lot shall be set back from the street right-of-way lines (property lines) or the edge of the access easement, not less than the distances shown in Table 5-3. The measurement shall be taken at the right-of-way line or the edge of an access easement, whichever is more restrictive. Note: minimum distance between detached buildings is dependent upon the International Fire Code.
Structure Height Limits
Jefferson County caps maximum structure height by zoning district in unincorporated areas under Table 5-4, ranging from 40 feet in most residential districts up to 70 feet in commercial and institutional districts, with listed exemptions.
Jefferson County Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO Code § 400.1680 (Table 5-4)
The maximum height of all structures in each zoning district (except as provided in Section 400.1690) shall be as follows: Table 5-4. Maximum Structure Heights. Zoning District / Maximum Structure Height (feet). "RA-5", "LR-2": 40. "R-40", "R-20", "R-10", "R-7": 40. "PR-1": 40. "PR-2": 50. "NC-1": 40. "CC-2": 50. "PC": 70. "PB": 70. "NPI": 70. "PI": 50.
Lot Coverage Limits
For industrially-zoned development in unincorporated Jefferson County, impervious surface (buildings, pavement) may cover up to 80% of the development site under the Industrial Design Standards, with porous paving encouraged for the remainder.
Jefferson County Industrial Impervious Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsJefferson County UDO § 400.2400(D)
D. Site Coverage. 1. Maximum FAR (see Table 5-2 of Article V). The FAR shall be applied only to the area proposed for initial development, not to area left undeveloped and reserved for future expansion. 2. Impervious area coverage may extend up to eighty percent (80%) of the development site. Porous surfaces that allow storm water to infiltrate below the surface, such as porous concrete or asph...
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