Fence Regulations in St. Charles County, MO (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated St. Charles County, Missouri.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Side and rear yard fences in unincorporated St. Charles County's residential districts cap at six feet with no openness requirement. Front yard fences are barred outright except on corner lots, where a six-foot fence is allowed if it sits at least a foot off the right-of-way and clears the sight triangle.
St. Charles County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSt. Charles County, MO Unified Development Ordinance § 405.415(F)(2)(a)(1)-(4); § 405.415(K)
(2) Side yards. All fences shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. There is no openness requirement. (3) Rear yards. All fences shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. There is no openness requirement. (4) Notwithstanding the above height restrictions, masonry pillars, including decorations and appurtenances thereon, in conjunction with ornamental iron fences cannot be more than twenty-five p...
Fence Permit Requirements
St. Charles County exempts fences up to seven feet from a building permit, but taller fences need one, and all fences must still meet zoning setback and height limits under the Unified Development Ordinance.
St. Charles County Fence Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBuilding Code of St. Charles County § 105.2 (adopted under County Code § 500.100)
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: ... 2. Fences not over seven (7) feet (2,134 mm) high.
Neighbor Fence Rules
A fence can sit right on the side or rear property line, but it can't cross onto the neighbor's land, and the owner who puts it up stays on the hook for maintaining it.
St. Charles County Boundary Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Charles County, MO UDO Section 405.415(F)(1)(a),(d)
A fence may be located on a side or rear lot line, but no such fence shall protrude in full or part on adjacent property or right-of-way. ... Fences shall be maintained by the property owner according to all other codes of St. Charles County.
Retaining Walls
St. Charles County exempts retaining walls up to four feet from a building permit under Residential Code Section R105.2, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Walls above that height, or any wall supporting a surcharge, need a permit from the Division of Building and Code Enforcement and cost $100 or the construction-cost fee formula, whichever is greater.
St. Charles County Retaining Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSt. Charles County Code § 500.150 (Residential Code § R105.2, Item 3)
R105.2 Work exempt from permits. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: 1. Other than storm shelters, one-story detached accessory structures, provid...
Material Restrictions
St. Charles County bans barbed wire and above-ground electrical fencing in the yards of R Districts outright. Every other residential fence must use the same or harmonious material throughout, solid metal panels are prohibited, and cross members must face the interior of the lot.
St. Charles County Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Charles County Code § 405.415(F)(1)(c)-(d); § 405.415(G)
c. All portions of any fence must be constructed of the same or harmonious material. Fences consisting of solid metal panels are prohibited. All vertical and/or horizontal supports and cross members must face the interior of the lot. d. Fences shall be maintained by the property owner according to all other codes of St. Charles County. ... G. Barbed wire and above ground electrical fences will ...
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