St. Peters, MO Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Section 405.110 of the St. Peters Municipal Code creates the "A-1" Agricultural District specifically for land on the fringe of the city that is still used for agriculture but is expected to urbanize eventually. The Board of Aldermen's stated purpose is to keep agricultural uses from becoming detrimental to nearby urban development while the area transitions, rather than to lower development standards. Only seven categories of use are permitted as of right: single-family dwellings; agricultural uses and their accessory buildings as defined in Section 405.100; public and private parks and open space; public and private golf courses; churches or similar worship places with accessory structures; public schools and institutions of higher learning; and greenhouses and plant nurseries.

All other uses are expressly prohibited unless a special use permit is obtained, which the code requires for rodeo or fairgrounds, kennels, accessory or primary wind turbines, and hunting of wildlife (Section 405.110(C), as amended by Ord. No. 6598 and Ord. No. 7192). Because the district is a holding classification rather than a permanent farm-protection overlay, the code marks building height, lot area, percentage of lot coverage, and yard requirements as "Not applicable" in Subsections D through G, leaving those dimensional standards to be set case by case as land develops. Planning, Community and Economic Development staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission administer rezoning out of A-1 as urbanization proceeds.