St. Louis, MO Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Reviewing body
- Preservation Board
- Response window
- 45 days from submission
- Final authority
- Board of Aldermen / Public Service
- Covers
- monuments, statues, fountains, memorials
- Penalty
- $1–$500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
In St. Louis, no public monument, statue, memorial, or fixture may be erected, altered, relocated, or removed in a public place until the Preservation Board reviews the plans and issues a recommendation, per City Code § 24.24.010.
No such public structure or monument shall be erected or installed in any public place, or removed, relocated, or altered in any way until the plans therefor have been submitted to the Preservation Board and the recommendations of the Preservation Board, or a majority thereof, have been made to the property authority. Such recommendations must be made within a period of 45 days from submission to the Preservation Board.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).
Full Breakdown
St. Louis Revised Code § 24.24.010 requires Preservation Board review before any public building, bridge, fountain, arch, lamppost, stained glass, tablet, statue, gateway, fence, monument, or memorial of a permanent character is erected, installed, removed, relocated, or altered in a public place. Plans go to the Board first; its recommendation then goes to the Board of Aldermen and Board of Public Service, who hold final authority. The Board has 45 days to act: miss that window and its review becomes unnecessary, letting the project proceed. Section 24.24.020 extends the same design review to City-funded structures and private fixtures built over public streets, parks, or squares.
Violations & Fines
Violating this title is a general offense under § 24.48.030: a fine of $1 to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to a statue on my own property?
What if the Preservation Board never responds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis
Compare St. Louis to another location·View the Missouri historic preservation overview
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