St. Louis City Property Standards Code (Ord. §11.72) limits grass and weeds to 7 inches maximum on residential and vacant lots. Citizens' Service Bureau (CSB) enforces complaints; unabated lots are cut by Forestry Division at owner expense plus a lien.
St. Louis Revised Code Title 11 Chapter 11.72 (Property Maintenance) declares grass, weeds, or rank vegetation exceeding 7 inches a public nuisance on any occupied or vacant lot within city limits. Complaints are filed through the Citizens' Service Bureau (CSB) via 314-622-4800 or the MySTL app, and route to the Forestry Division. Property owners receive a Notice of Violation with typically 10 days to cut and remove. If not abated, Forestry Division contractors perform the cutting and the cost is billed to the owner plus a $75-150 administrative fee and special tax bill lien attached to the property. Chronic violators (3+ cuts in a season) face Municipal Court summons under §11.72.040.
Initial Notice of Violation: 10-day compliance window. City-performed abatement: contractor cost (typically $75-$200 per cut) plus $75-$150 administrative fee added to property tax bill as a special tax lien. Municipal Court summons for chronic violators: fines up to $500 per offense plus court costs. Each day of continued violation may constitute a separate offense.
St. Louis, MO
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See how St. Louis's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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