St. Peters, MO Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

City Code Section 215.010(H)(1) sets height limits for weeds and grass on undeveloped land, separate from the limits applying to developed tracts. Undeveloped lots or tracts in a residentially zoned district, or undeveloped residential-use lots in other districts, may not carry jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cocklebur, milkweed, buckthorn, dandelion, henbit, crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail, nutsedge, poison ivy or similar rank vegetation, or any grass, taller than seven inches. Undeveloped land in commercial, industrial or institutional zoning districts gets a taller allowance of twelve inches before the same subsection is violated.

Growing brome, alfalfa, timothy, clover or other hay-purpose grasses is separately prohibited in residentially zoned districts regardless of the height reached. Section 215.010(H)(2) reaches the other half of the vacant-lot problem: it is unlawful for an owner or occupant to let undergrowth, trash, garbage, building materials, glass, wood or miscellaneous refuse accumulate on vacant lots or land, or to dump such material onto adjacent premises or any public place outside an authorized collection program. Repeat violations matter: under Section 215.010(H)(1)(f), if weeds regrow past the limit more than once in the same growing season, or trash reaccumulates more than once in a calendar year, the Chief of Police or another designated City official may skip further notice, remove the weeds or trash directly, and bill the property owner for the cost.

Agricultural, floodplain and designated natural-area parcels are exempted under Section 215.010(H)(1)(g). Violations of Chapter 215 are punished under the City's general penalty, Section 100.060, by a fine of up to five hundred dollars, imprisonment of up to ninety days, or both, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense.