St. Louis County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 1003 allows boundary walls or fences six (6) feet or less in height within minimum structure setback requirements in residential districts (Sec. 1003.115). No accessory building (which the code treats fences as a related structure) may exceed the primary structure's height. City limits within the county (Florissant, Kirkwood, Ferguson, etc.) set their own fence rules.
Chapter 1003 (Zoning Ordinance) governs fences in unincorporated St. Louis County. Section 1003.115(7)(3)(b) allows boundary walls or fences six (6) feet or less in height to encroach within the minimum structure setback requirements of residential districts. Accessory structures and design criteria are governed by Section 1003.115(4)(B): detached above-ground accessory structures cannot cover more than 7% of lot area; individual structures up to 400 sq ft or 50% of the primary structure's footprint (whichever is greater); aggregate cap of 1,000 sq ft; no accessory building taller than the primary structure; and no accessory building permitted in the front yard. Fence permits in unincorporated areas are issued by the St. Louis County Department of Public Works through the Code Enforcement / Plan Review section. Within incorporated cities, the city's own fence and zoning code applies and supersedes county zoning.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how St. Louis County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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