Before You Build in St. Louis, MO: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

St. Louis fence heights are capped at 4 feet in front yards and 7 feet in side and rear yards under SLRC 26.32.030 and the St. Louis Zoning Code. Historic districts like Lafayette Square, Soulard, and Compton Heights have additional design review.

St. Louis requires all residential pools with water deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a 48-inch minimum barrier under SLRC 25.60 and the 2018 IRC. Self-closing, self-latching gates with latches 54 inches high are mandatory.

Fence permits in St. Louis are required for fences over 4 feet tall or in historic districts. Permits are issued by the Building Division at 1200 Market Street with a base fee of $50 plus $0.50 per linear foot.

St. Louis does not mandate shared fence costs for urban residential property. Missouri RSMo 272.010 partition fence law applies only to agricultural land. The good-side-out tradition is customary but not legally required.

Hot tubs in St. Louis need electrical permits and must meet NEC 680 bonding and GFCI. A lockable ASTM F1346 safety cover exempts the spa from the 48-inch barrier. VGB drain covers are required.

St. Louis requires a building permit for all pools holding water 24 inches or deeper. Plans must show barriers, setbacks, and electrical. Inspections cover bonding, barrier, and final installation per IRC Appendix G.

St. Louis requires a 48-inch barrier around all pools 24 inches or deeper. Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward. Latch release must be at least 54 inches above grade per IRC Appendix G.

St. Louis pools must meet federal VGB Act anti-entrapment drain covers plus NEC 680 bonding for all metal within 5 feet of water and GFCI on all pool circuits. Single-drain pools need a safety vacuum release system.

Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep in St. Louis need a permit and IRC barrier protection. A 48-inch pool wall can serve as the barrier if the ladder is removable or lockable when not in use.

Converting a garage into livable space in St. Louis requires a Building Division permit, zoning review, and compliance with residential code.

St. Louis allows accessory dwelling units in many residential zones through a 2023 zoning code update supporting infill housing.

Carports are treated as accessory structures in St. Louis and must comply with setback, size, and design review rules. Permits are required for any carport regardless of size.

Tiny homes on permanent foundations are allowed in St. Louis as ADUs or primary dwellings subject to zoning district minimums, building code, and historic district review.

St. Louis allows residential sheds up to 200 sq ft without a building permit but requires zoning compliance under Ord. §26.52. Sheds must be set back at least 3 ft from rear and side lot lines, cannot exceed 12 ft in height, and may not be placed in front yards or easements.

Open burning is generally prohibited within St. Louis City limits under both City Code and Missouri DNR air quality regulations. Burning of leaves, trash, construction debris, and yard waste is banned.

St. Louis allows recreational fire pits on residential property with restrictions. Fires must be contained in an approved pit or chiminea, kept at least 15 feet from structures, and attended at all times.

St. Louis has no permanent irrigation schedule. The City Water Division, which draws from the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers via Chain of Rocks and Howard Bend plants, may impose emergency restrictions during drought declarations but none are currently in effect. Missouri follows riparian reasonable use water law.

St. Louis street trees (in the public right-of-way between sidewalk and curb) require a permit from the Forestry Division before any trimming or removal under Ord. §22.20. Private yard trees are not regulated except during construction. Illegal street tree removal carries fines up to $500 plus replacement cost.

St. Louis property owners are responsible for trimming trees on their property that overhang public sidewalks (minimum 8 feet clearance) and streets (14 feet).