Landscaping Rules in St. Louis County, MO (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in St. Louis County, Missouri.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
New trees may not be planted on a St. Louis County right-of-way between the sidewalk and the curb (SLCRO §1218.140). Existing right-of-way trees are owned by the adjacent property owner who is responsible for fallen-tree removal.
Right-of-Way Planting Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County Code §1218.140
Sec. 1218.140. — New trees are not allowed to be planted on a St. Louis County right-of-way, between the sidewalk and the curb.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
St. Louis County's Property Maintenance Code does not require removal of tree stumps after a tree is cut, so leaving a stump is not a code violation. However, limbs and other cut tree portions must be removed under §1110.302.7.
Tree Stumps & Removal
Few RestrictionsSt. Louis County Ordinance Guidebook — Trees, Stumps
St. Louis County's Property Maintenance Code does not require the removal of a tree stump from private property after a tree has been cut, and, therefore it is not a violation of the ordinance if a tree stump remains on the property. Limbs, and other cut portions of the tree, however, must be removed.
Weed Ordinances
St. Louis County caps unmanaged grass, weeds and brush at 8 inches on most improved lots. Section 619.005(l) defines "unmanaged vegetation growth" as vegetation over that height "as a result of the absence of active cutting, mowing, or other maintenance," and Section 619.010 declares any lot with growth above that line, plus noxious weeds or invasive and nuisance plants, a public nuisance the owner must destroy.
St. Louis County Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSLCRO §§ 619.010, 619.070
All noxious weeds, invasive and nuisance plants, and unmanaged vegetation growth growing or being upon any property for which a subdivision plat has been recorded in accordance with law and all property within one hundred (100) feet from the out-boundary of such subdivision in that portion of St. Louis County outside incorporated cities, towns and villages is hereby declared to be a public nuis...
Native Plants
Developments that must file a landscape plan with St. Louis County have to make at least half of it native or drought-tolerant plant material. Section 1003.162.5 also caps any single species at 33 percent of the plan and bans invasive plants and state-listed noxious weeds, though ordinary single-family homes on platted lots are exempt from the whole section.
St. Louis County Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County Code § 1003.162.5
5.Plant materials and native vegetation. This section requires the use of native landscaping for at least one-half (½) of the landscaping on site.(1)Plant selection and design.(a)The overall landscape plan shall not contain more than thirty-three (33) percent of any one (1) plant species.(2)Native plants.(a)All landscape plans must use at least fifty (50) percent native and/or drought tolerant ...
Composting
St. Louis County Code § 607.1005 lets residents compost yard by-product at home without a license, but sets firm standards: piles stay at least 3 feet behind the front of the main residential structure, leachate stays on your own lot, and meat scraps, bones, fatty foods and pet feces are banned. Violations draw a $25 citation, then $50 for a second within 12 months.
St. Louis County Backyard Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County Code § 607.1005
1. All residential yard by-product compost shall be maintained using accepted composting methods to comply with the following requirements: a. All composting shall be maintained so as to prevent the harborage of rodents and pests. b. All composting shall be maintained so as to inhibit the generation of odors. c. All composting shall be at least three (3) feet behind the front of the main reside...
Landscaping Rules by City in St. Louis County
1 cities in St. Louis County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All St. Louis County ordinances
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