St. Louis, MO Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

St. Louis City has no ordinance requiring neighbors to share the cost of a boundary fence in residential zones. Missouri Revised Statutes 272.010 through 272.370 (the partition fence law) apply only to agricultural and rural lands where fences are needed to confine livestock. For urban residential properties, fence construction, maintenance, and cost are the sole responsibility of the owner who installs the fence, unless the neighbors enter into a private cost-sharing agreement. Best practice is to have the fence set entirely on your own side of the property line to avoid future disputes, typically 3-6 inches inside the line. A current survey is recommended before installation. Mutual fences built directly on the property line can be removed only with consent of both owners. The finished or good side traditionally faces the neighbor, but this is custom and not required by St. Louis code. Disputes over encroachments are civil matters handled in St. Louis Circuit Court, 22nd Judicial Circuit.