St. Louis home occupations are not permitted to display any external signage, window displays, or other visual evidence of the business.
A core principle of the St. Louis home occupation zoning rule is that no external evidence of the business may be visible from the street. This includes: no signs of any kind (including window signs, door plaques, vehicle lettering beyond standard business name on an owner-operated vehicle parked in a garage or driveway), no changes to exterior lighting for business purposes, no outdoor storage or display of merchandise, no external speakers, and no modifications that give the property a commercial appearance. Digital presence (website, social media, phone listings) is unrestricted. In Local Historic Districts, the Cultural Resources Office adds another layer of review that further restricts exterior changes. Home-based professional offices, consulting businesses, and online retailers easily comply; businesses that want walk-in traffic generally cannot operate legally as home occupations in St. Louis.
Unauthorized sign: citation, $100-$500 fine, order to remove. Business license may be revoked for repeat violations.
St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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St. Louis, MO
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