St. Charles County, MO Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in St. Charles County, MO, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Minimum preservation
- 10% of site or 25% of woodlands, greater
- Low-cover sites
- 50% of existing trees retained
- Replacement ratio
- 3 trees per tree removed if waived
- Applies to
- New residential subdivisions only
- Exempt
- Single lots outside a subdivision
Summary
New residential subdivisions in unincorporated St. Charles County must preserve a set share of existing trees and woodlands before any clearing or grading begins.
Subject to paragraph (2), below, all developments shall meet a minimum tree preservation requirement of ten percent (10%) of the site or twenty-five percent (25%) of existing woodlands and trees as they existed three (3) years prior to submittal of the Preliminary Plat; whichever is greater. If the total area of trees on the site is equal to or less than ten percent (10%) of the total site area, fifty percent (50%) of the existing trees shall be retained.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4863880; v61 updated 2026-05-11; through 05-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under UDO Section 410.145, preliminary and final plats for new residential subdivisions must show tree preservation areas, and developments must retain at least 10% of the site or 25% of existing woodlands and trees (whichever is greater), or 50% of existing trees if tree cover is already under 10% of the site. Individual single-family or two-family homes built outside a subdivision, and land in A, RM, RF, CO, C1, C2, HTCD, I1, I2, or SWD zoning districts, are exempt. The Director of Community Development can waive the requirement if it would render the property undevelopable, but then requires a 3-to-1 replacement ratio for any preserved tree later destroyed, damaged, or removed.
Violations & Fines
Disturbing a marked tree preservation area (clearing, grading, filling, or construction activity) or destroying a credited tree without the required 3-for-1 replacement planting is a violation enforced by the Division of Planning and Zoning under the penalty provisions of Sections 405.640-405.655.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply if I want to cut down a tree on my own lot?
Can the tree preservation requirement be waived?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Charles County
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