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St. Louis, MO Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Pole height cap
22 feet
Max spillover
0.5 footcandle at grade
Where it applies
lots bordering dwelling districts
Pole construction
metal or masonry, underground wiring
Enforcement
infraction; conditional use permit revocable

Summary

St. Louis caps drive-through carry-out restaurant parking lot light poles at 22 feet and limits spillover to no more than 0.5 footcandle on any abutting residential lot when the site borders a dwelling district.

Parking area light poles shall be metal or masonry with underground wiring and not exceed 22 feet in height and adjusted so that no more than 0.5 footcandle (measured at grade) falls on any abutting residential lot.

View official code

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

Under the Zoning Code's carry-out restaurant site standards, drive-through carry-out lots that touch or sit across a street, alley, or easement from a dwelling district must use metal or masonry parking-lot light poles with underground wiring, capped at 22 feet, and aimed so no more than 0.5 footcandle measured at grade reaches any abutting residential lot. Lots not adjacent to a dwelling district still get the 22-foot pole cap but no brightness limit applies.

Violations & Fines

A violation is an infraction punished under the general penalty in Chapter 1.12. The City Counselor may sue to enjoin noncompliance, and because drive-through carry-out use is a conditional use, the Board of Public Service can revoke the conditional use permit after a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 0.5 footcandle limit apply to every business?
No: it applies specifically to drive-through carry-out restaurants under § 26.40.026(B)(1), and only when the lot borders or faces a dwelling district.
What if my carry-out restaurant isn't near homes?
The 22-foot pole height cap still applies under § 26.40.026(B)(2)(k), but the 0.5 footcandle residential spillover limit does not.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Louis

Parking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All St. Louis rules

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