St. Louis, MO Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Chapter 11.08, Part III of the Revised Code makes rat-stoppage a standing duty: owners/agents must seal exterior openings against rats and keep buildings rat-stopped, while occupants must keep the interior rat-free. The health officer inspects rat-stopped business, apartment and tenement buildings at least every six months and issues written abatement notices when infestation or new gaps appear. If the owner or agent misses the notice deadline, the Health Commissioner is directed to competitively bid the repair work, contract it out, and bill the owner or agent; unpaid bills become a lien on the property collected through the City Counselor. Separately, letting garbage, rubbish, or unstacked lumber/debris accumulate so it affords rat harborage is independently unlawful.