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St. Louis has no permanent irrigation schedule. The City Water Division, which draws from the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers via Chain of Rocks and Howard Bend plants, may impose emergency restrictions during drought declarations but none are currently in effect. Missouri follows riparian reasonable use water law.
St. Louis street trees (in the public right-of-way between sidewalk and curb) require a permit from the Forestry Division before any trimming or removal under Ord. §22.20. Private yard trees are not regulated except during construction. Illegal street tree removal carries fines up to $500 plus replacement cost.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and unregulated in St. Louis. Missouri does not restrict private rainwater collection.
Construction noise in St. Louis is generally permitted 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday and holiday work requiring special permission. SLRC 15.42 prohibits construction impact noise outside these hours in residential zones.
Commercial noise from loading docks, HVAC, refrigeration, and delivery operations in St. Louis is regulated under SLRC 15.42.070. Mixed-use zones near the Central West End and downtown have stricter decibel caps at the residential property line.
St. Louis does not have a leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Gas and electric blowers are allowed during general construction hours of 7 AM to 7 PM under SLRC 15.42, but must not exceed plainly-audible thresholds at night.
Vehicle noise in St. Louis is regulated under SLRC Chapter 17 and state RSMo 307.170. Modified exhaust, loud stereos, and engine revving are prohibited. SLMPD Traffic Division actively enforces on Kingshighway, Gravois, and downtown.
Aircraft noise from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is preempted by the FAA under 49 USC 40103. The Lambert Noise Abatement Program mitigates impacts in affected neighborhoods including Bridgeton, Berkeley, and parts of North City.
Habitual barking is prohibited under SLRC Chapter 10 (Animal Care and Control) and Chapter 15.42 noise rules. A dog that barks continuously for 15 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes can trigger a citation from Animal Care and Control.
St. Louis enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under the St. Louis Revised Code (SLRC) Chapter 15.42. Sound that is plainly audible beyond 50 feet of a dwelling during those hours is presumptively unreasonable and can trigger a citation from the Citizens Service Bureau or SLMPD.
Amplified music in St. Louis is regulated under SLRC 15.42 and the Outdoor Entertainment Permit rules. Sound plainly audible at 50 feet after 10 PM is prohibited; outdoor venues in The Grove, Soulard, and Washington Avenue require sound permits.
Open burning is generally prohibited within St. Louis City limits under both City Code and Missouri DNR air quality regulations. Burning of leaves, trash, construction debris, and yard waste is banned.
St. Louis requires working smoke detectors in all residential dwellings. Rental properties need hardwired, interconnected alarms on every level and in each sleeping area, verified at occupancy permit inspection.
St. Louis allows recreational fire pits on residential property with restrictions. Fires must be contained in an approved pit or chiminea, kept at least 15 feet from structures, and attended at all times.
St. Louis does not have wildland-urban-interface brush clearance rules like western states, but the Forestry Division enforces weed and overgrowth nuisance standards.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in St. Louis when contained in an approved pit, kept under 3 feet in diameter, set back 15 feet from structures, and fueled only with clean seasoned firewood.
St. Louis is a dense urban city with no designated wildfire hazard zones. The City is not in a wildland-urban interface, and Missouri does not maintain statewide fire hazard severity zone mapping like California.
Propane cylinders in St. Louis must be stored, transported, and connected per the adopted International Fire Code, with tank size, distance, and ventilation rules enforced by the St. Louis Fire Department.
St. Louis City bans all consumer fireworks year-round under home-rule authority (RSMo 71.012). Possession, sale, and discharge are prohibited even on July 4th. Professional displays require Fire Department permits.
St. Louis generally permits overnight on-street parking in residential neighborhoods except during snow emergencies or on posted street cleaning routes. Metered and downtown areas have specific overnight rules that vary by block.
St. Louis limits RV and boat storage on residential streets to 24 hours. On-lot RV and boat parking generally allowed behind the front building line, not in front yards. Trailers over a certain length require off-street screened storage.
St. Louis encourages EV charging through Ameren Missouri rebates and city-installed public chargers at garages and civic facilities. No city mandate for EV-ready parking, though new developments often install chargers voluntarily.
St. Louis prohibits parking commercial vehicles over a certain weight or length on residential streets overnight. Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and large box trucks must use industrial zones or truck terminals.
Vehicles left on St. Louis streets or private property more than 48 hours, expired tags, or in derelict condition can be tagged and towed as abandoned. Report through Citizens Service Bureau at 314-622-4800.
St. Louis prohibits parking in one spot for more than 48 consecutive hours on public streets. Metered parking enforced downtown and in CWE, Grand Center, and the Loop. Residential permit parking zones exist in high-density neighborhoods near SLU and WashU.
St. Louis requires driveway curb cuts to be permitted by the Street Department. Paved surface generally required; parking on unpaved front yards prohibited. Historic districts (Lafayette Square, Soulard, Compton Heights) have additional design review.
St. Louis fence heights are capped at 4 feet in front yards and 7 feet in side and rear yards under SLRC 26.32.030 and the St. Louis Zoning Code. Historic districts like Lafayette Square, Soulard, and Compton Heights have additional design review.
St. Louis requires all residential pools with water deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a 48-inch minimum barrier under SLRC 25.60 and the 2018 IRC. Self-closing, self-latching gates with latches 54 inches high are mandatory.
Fence permits in St. Louis are required for fences over 4 feet tall or in historic districts. Permits are issued by the Building Division at 1200 Market Street with a base fee of $50 plus $0.50 per linear foot.
St. Louis does not mandate shared fence costs for urban residential property. Missouri RSMo 272.010 partition fence law applies only to agricultural land. The good-side-out tradition is customary but not legally required.
St. Louis permits wood, vinyl, masonry, and wrought iron fencing in residential zones. Chain link is restricted in historic districts. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential areas under SLRC 26.32.
St. Louis corner lots must maintain a sight-triangle with fences, hedges, and vegetation no taller than 3 feet within 25 feet of street intersections under SLRC 17.44.020. Violations create traffic hazards and trigger abatement orders.
Urban beekeeping is allowed in St. Louis under SLRC 10.12 with registration at the Missouri Department of Agriculture required per RSMo 264.011. Hives must be set back 10 feet from property lines and screened from neighbors.
St. Louis prohibits feeding of feral cats, deer, raccoons, and other wildlife on public property and in ways that create nuisance or rodent attractants under SLRC 10.32. Songbird feeders are allowed if maintained to prevent rodent infestation.
Backyard chickens are allowed in St. Louis under SLRC 10.28 with a limit of 8 hens on lots up to 10,000 sq ft. Roosters are prohibited. Coops must be 25 feet from any dwelling and 10 feet from property lines.
St. Louis limits households to 4 dogs and 4 cats over 6 months of age without a kennel license under SLRC 10.04.050. Exceeding the limit requires a multi-animal permit or commercial kennel license and zoning approval.
St. Louis prohibits ownership of dangerous wild animals under SLRC 10.16 and RSMo 578.023. Banned species include large cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, and crocodilians. Violations carry $500 fines and animal seizure.
St. Louis City has maintained a pit bull ordinance under SLRC 10.20 requiring registration, liability insurance, and strict confinement for American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, and mixes. The policy has been debated repeatedly by the Board of Aldermen.
St. Louis prohibits keeping animals in numbers or conditions that exceed an owner's ability to provide minimum standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care under Title VI of the Revised Code.
St. Louis requires cats four months and older to be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, and kept under control; free-roaming cats may be impounded by Animal Care and Control under Title VI.
Veterinary clinics in St. Louis are permitted in commercial and mixed-use zones under the 2024 Form-Based Code, with overnight boarding and outdoor runs subject to additional review and noise standards.
St. Louis encourages spay/neuter through reduced licensing fees and free or low-cost surgery vouchers; intact pet permits and breeder rules apply under Title VI of the Revised Code.
St. Louis Animal Care and Control microchips dogs and cats at adoption and impound, and city ordinances under Title VI require updated owner contact information for licensed pets.
St. Louis residents share parks and neighborhoods with coyotes, foxes, and raccoons; the city coordinates with Missouri Department of Conservation on coexistence guidance and addresses sick or aggressive animals on a case basis.
St. Louis restricts pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats, requiring most retail sales to come from shelters or rescues under Title VI to combat puppy-mill sourcing in Missouri.
St. Louis sits on the Mississippi Flyway, and the city encourages bird-safe glass, lights-out programs during migration, and respects federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections enforced alongside city wildlife rules.
Rehabilitating injured native wildlife in St. Louis requires Missouri Department of Conservation permits; city Title VI bars holding native species as pets and Animal Care and Control routes calls to licensed rehabbers.
Dogs in St. Louis must be leashed in all public places under SLRC 10.08.010. Maximum leash length is 8 feet. Off-leash is permitted only within designated dog parks at Shaw Park, Gravois Park, and Wilmore Park. Violations carry $100-$500 fines.
Hot tubs in St. Louis need electrical permits and must meet NEC 680 bonding and GFCI. A lockable ASTM F1346 safety cover exempts the spa from the 48-inch barrier. VGB drain covers are required.
St. Louis requires a building permit for all pools holding water 24 inches or deeper. Plans must show barriers, setbacks, and electrical. Inspections cover bonding, barrier, and final installation per IRC Appendix G.
St. Louis requires a 48-inch barrier around all pools 24 inches or deeper. Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward. Latch release must be at least 54 inches above grade per IRC Appendix G.
St. Louis pools must meet federal VGB Act anti-entrapment drain covers plus NEC 680 bonding for all metal within 5 feet of water and GFCI on all pool circuits. Single-drain pools need a safety vacuum release system.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep in St. Louis need a permit and IRC barrier protection. A 48-inch pool wall can serve as the barrier if the ladder is removable or lockable when not in use.
Converting a garage into livable space in St. Louis requires a Building Division permit, zoning review, and compliance with residential code.
St. Louis allows accessory dwelling units in many residential zones through a 2023 zoning code update supporting infill housing.
Carports are treated as accessory structures in St. Louis and must comply with setback, size, and design review rules. Permits are required for any carport regardless of size.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations are allowed in St. Louis as ADUs or primary dwellings subject to zoning district minimums, building code, and historic district review.
St. Louis allows residential sheds up to 200 sq ft without a building permit but requires zoning compliance under Ord. §26.52. Sheds must be set back at least 3 ft from rear and side lot lines, cannot exceed 12 ft in height, and may not be placed in front yards or easements.
St. Louis's Zoning Code (SLRC Title 26) does not impose a blanket citywide owner-occupancy mandate on ADUs following the 2021 reforms. However, both the primary dwelling and the ADU, if rented to non-owners, must comply with the City's Occupancy Permit requirement under SLRC Title 25 and any applicable Local Historic District guidelines. Missouri has no state preemption — STL retains full home-rule discretion.
St. Louis ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) subject to the City's Occupancy Permit requirement under SLRC Title 25. Short-term rentals under 30 days are regulated by St. Louis Revised Code Chapter 11.55 (Short-Term Rental Ordinance, Ordinance 71596), which requires a Short-Term Rental Operator Permit and collection of the 3.5% Convention and Tourism Tax plus state and local sales taxes.
St. Louis does not charge true impact fees on ADUs because Missouri has not granted municipalities statutory authority to impose development impact fees on residential construction. ADU costs are limited to Building Division permit fees, plan-review charges, and Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) and city water connection charges based on actual service.
St. Louis allows accessory dwelling units in several residential zoning districts following the 2021 ADU reform under Ordinance 71591, which amended the City's Zoning Code (SLRC Title 26). ADU applications are processed by the Building Division within the Department of Public Safety, with zoning review by the City Planning Commission staff. Missouri has no statewide ADU mandate.
St. Louis home occupations are not permitted to display any external signage, window displays, or other visual evidence of the business.
St. Louis home occupations may have only limited customer visits, typically not more than 1-2 clients per hour during normal business hours, with off-street parking required.
Family child care homes in St. Louis need Missouri DHSS licensing under 19 CSR 30-61 when caring for 5 or more unrelated children. City zoning allows licensed home daycare as a home occupation in residential districts.
Missouri cottage food law (RSMo 196.298) allows St. Louis residents to sell non-potentially hazardous homemade foods directly to consumers without a health permit. Sales capped at $50,000 per year.
St. Louis requires a Home Occupation Waiver plus a Graduated Business License for home-based businesses. Zoning Code 26.08.380 bars outside employees and restricts customer visits and signage.
St. Louis Zoning Code §26.40 allows Home Occupations as accessory uses in all residential districts. Business must be clearly secondary to residential use, conducted by residents only (no non-resident employees), occupy no more than 25% of floor area, and generate no external evidence of activity.
St. Louis STRs must follow the Chapter 15 noise code with quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM. Two verified complaints in 12 months can trigger permit suspension. House rules must be posted inside the unit.
St. Louis Ordinance 71635 requires STR permits from the Building Division, $500,000 liability insurance, and a local responsible party available 24/7 for complaints.
St. Louis STRs follow the IBC formula of 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, capped at the unit permit maximum. Infants under 2 typically do not count. Over-occupancy is a common permit violation.
St. Louis does not impose annual night caps on short-term rentals. Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs can operate year-round if properly permitted and zoned. HOAs may impose separate limits.
St. Louis STR registration requires Building Division application, safety inspection, insurance proof, and tax registration with the Collector of Revenue. Permits are annual and non-transferable on sale.
St. Louis STR permits require parking matching the underlying zoning requirement. In historic neighborhoods with no off-street parking, hosts must document legal on-street options in house rules.
St. Louis STRs must carry general liability coverage of at least $500,000 per occurrence. Airbnb AirCover and VRBO Liability Insurance generally qualify. Lapsed coverage triggers automatic permit suspension.
St. Louis expects booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to remove listings without a valid city STR permit number once the License Collector issues a written takedown or non-compliance notice naming the property.
St. Louis does not require the host to live on-site or be present during a short-term rental stay, allowing whole-home rentals citywide subject to permit and zoning rules under Title XI.
St. Louis does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, so investor-owned non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed citywide subject to permits, hotel tax, and zoning compliance.
St. Louis can suspend or revoke a short-term rental permit when the property accumulates repeated verified noise, occupancy, or nuisance violations within a rolling twelve-month period under Title XI enforcement provisions.
St. Louis STRs face roughly 14 percent combined tax including state sales, local sales, convention/tourism, and sports facility taxes. Hosts register with the Collector of Revenue for city remittance.
Stormwater in St. Louis managed by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), the regional authority covering the City and St. Louis County. Projects disturbing 1+ acre require MSD permits and water quality controls per MSD Stormwater Design Manual.
St. Louis has no comprehensive citywide vehicle idling ban. Missouri state law and EPA diesel rules apply, but the city itself does not generally limit how long passenger vehicles can idle at curbs or in driveways.
St. Louis does not ban gas-powered leaf blowers. Operation is permitted year-round subject only to general noise-hour limits in Title V, unlike California and East Coast cities that have phased out gas units.
St. Louis adopted a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan in 2017 and joined the Global Covenant of Mayors. The Board of Aldermen has issued climate-emergency resolutions, but most measures are non-binding goals rather than enforceable mandates on private property.
St. Louis follows the International Energy Conservation Code adopted under Title X for new construction and major roof replacements on commercial buildings, requiring reflective or insulated roof assemblies but lacking a dedicated cool-roof retrofit mandate.
St. Louis treats heat-island mitigation through Climate Action Plan goals, the Forestry Division's tree canopy program, and Form-Based Code green-space provisions, but no single ordinance mandates cool surfaces or canopy on private parcels.
Erosion and sediment control in St. Louis enforced by MSD under its Land Disturbance Permit program. Sites 1+ acre require SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) with silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilization per MSD Design Manual.
St. Louis includes significant FEMA SFHA areas along the Mississippi River, Missouri River (north city edge), and River des Peres. Historic flooding (1993 Great Flood, 2015, 2022) shapes floodplain management. NFIP participation requires elevation 1 ft above BFE and floodproofing.
While St. Louis is not on an ocean coast, the city sits on the western bank of the Mississippi River. Development along the riverfront is regulated through the city's zoning code and the Riverfront Overlay District. The Gateway Arch National Park and levee system dominate the downtown riverfront. Floodwall and levee setbacks apply to properties near the river. The city works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on flood control along the Mississippi.
St. Louis grading and drainage regulated by the Building Division and MSD. Positive drainage away from structures required. Lot grading must not divert stormwater onto neighboring property. Older neighborhoods have complex historical drainage patterns.
Missouri HOA boards operate under governing documents and Chapter 355 RSMo nonprofit corporation law. Annual meetings, quorum, and voting follow the declaration and bylaws. Missouri lacks a general HOA sunshine law.
Missouri enforces HOA CCRs under the Merchants and Property Owners Association Act and covenant law. HOAs can fine, lien, and seek injunctions. Selective enforcement and waiver are common defenses.
Missouri HOA disputes go through internal procedures, optional mediation, and the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit. Missouri has no dedicated HOA agency like Nevada or Florida. Courts apply the business judgment rule.
St. Louis HOA architectural committees operate under CCRs. Missouri courts enforce reasonable, consistently applied restrictions. Historic district homes also need St. Louis Cultural Resources Office approval.
Missouri HOAs levy assessments per the declaration and record liens for unpaid amounts. Chapter 448 RSMo governs condominium super-priority liens. Foreclosure is available through judicial process.
St. Louis city parks generally close to the public from 10 PM to 6 AM. Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, Carondelet Park, and other parks are subject to closed-hours enforcement by Park Rangers and SLMPD; trespassing during closed hours can result in citations.
St. Louis has a youth curfew that restricts minors under 17 from being in public places late at night unless accompanied by a parent or on legitimate errands. Hours are typically 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights and midnight to 6 AM on weekends.
St. Louis Lead Safe Housing Ordinance (Chapter 11.72) requires lead inspection and certification for pre-1978 rentals. The city runs an aggressive childhood lead poisoning program through the Department of Health.
St. Louis elevators fall under the Missouri Elevator Safety Act (RSMo 701.350-701.380). Annual state inspections are required, mechanics must hold Missouri licenses, and code basis is ASME A17.1.
St. Louis requires scaffolding used on building construction to meet OSHA standards and ICC building code provisions. Sidewalk protection and right-of-way permits needed when scaffolding extends into public space downtown or in dense neighborhoods.
St. Louis property owners must keep buildings free of rodents, roaches, and bedbug infestations under the Property Maintenance Code. Landlords bear primary responsibility for treatment in rental units with infestations affecting common areas or multiple tenants.
St. Louis requires fire sprinkler systems in most new commercial, multifamily, and high-rise buildings under the adopted International Building Code and International Fire Code, with retrofits triggered by major renovation thresholds.
St. Louis encourages green construction through the Climate Action Plan, building benchmarking ordinance for large buildings, and incentive programs aligned with the Form-Based Code and adopted energy code.
Licensed childcare centers in St. Louis must meet Missouri DHSS licensing rules plus city building, fire, and zoning standards including egress, sprinklers in larger facilities, and lead-paint clearance under Title IX.
Egress doors in St. Louis commercial and multifamily buildings must comply with International Building Code hardware rules requiring single-action release, panic hardware where applicable, and no key-operated locks blocking exit.
St. Louis controls oversized infill homes through Form-Based Code height, lot coverage, and frontage rules and through historic district design review in Local Historic and National Register overlays.
St. Louis allows state-licensed medical and adult-use (comprehensive) dispensaries in designated zoning districts subject to a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, daycares, and churches. Local operators must hold DHSS licenses and obtain City of St. Louis business licenses and occupancy permits.
Missouri requires comprehensive cannabis facilities to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, daycares, and churches under Article XIV. St. Louis enforces buffers via zoning review by the Cannabis Regulation Division.
Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation authorizes licensed dispensaries to offer delivery and curbside pickup statewide. St. Louis dispensaries follow state delivery rules with no additional city ordinance restriction.
Missouri Article XIV allows registered adults 21 and over to home-cultivate up to six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six clones in a secure, locked indoor space invisible from public view.
Missouri Article XIV created a microbusiness program issuing licenses by lottery to applicants meeting social-equity criteria, including residents of high-incarceration ZIP codes that include parts of St. Louis.
Missouri Amendment 3 (2022) allows adults 21+ with a cultivation identification card to grow up to 6 flowering plants, 6 nonflowering plants, and 6 clones at home. Plants must be in a locked, enclosed, non-public space. St. Louis cannot ban home cultivation by registered users.
Missouri statute caps residential security deposits at two months' rent and requires landlords to return the deposit within thirty days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions, applied to all St. Louis rentals.
Missouri permits no-fault termination of month-to-month tenancies in St. Louis with one month's written notice, and there is no city just-cause-eviction ordinance limiting the landlord's reasons for ending tenancy.
St. Louis lacks a stand-alone anti-harassment ordinance, but state law and city housing-conservation rules prohibit lockouts, utility shutoffs, threats, and self-help eviction against residential tenants in occupied units.
St. Louis amended its civil-rights ordinance to prohibit housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, child support, and veterans benefits, beyond Missouri's narrower state law.
The St. Louis Housing Authority administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers and project-based units, while the city's source-of-income ordinance limits landlords' ability to refuse voucher holders solely because of voucher status.
St. Louis does not regulate cash-for-keys negotiations between landlords and tenants, so payment-to-vacate agreements are private contracts governed by general Missouri contract law and ordinary court enforcement.
During the COVID-19 emergency, St. Louis paused eviction filings and used CDC and CARES Act protections, but no local moratorium remains in effect today, and standard Missouri eviction procedure now governs all cases.
St. Louis does not have a broad citywide relocation-assistance ordinance for no-fault evictions, but tenants displaced by code-condemned buildings or federally funded projects may qualify for state, federal, or Building Division-coordinated relocation aid.
St. Louis requires a Certificate of Inspection for one and two-family rentals at change of occupancy, plus occupancy permits for tenants. Larger multifamily properties must obtain a Conditional Use Permit and pass periodic building inspections administered by the Building Division.
Rent control is prohibited in Missouri. Under RSMo 441.043, political subdivisions including St. Louis cannot enact ordinances controlling rent on private residential property. Market-rate rent increases are legal regardless of amount.
St. Louis follows Missouri statutory landlord-tenant law. Missouri does not require just cause for eviction. Month-to-month tenancies terminate with one full rental period written notice under RSMo Chapter 441, and nonpayment evictions follow RSMo Chapter 535 rent-and-possession procedures.
St. Louis maintains a Rodent Control Program through the Health Department's Vector Control unit, requiring property owners to abate harborage and authorizing city baiting of alleys and right-of-way.
St. Louis Department of Health inspects food establishments at least twice yearly under City Health Code, posting inspection results publicly online with priority and non-priority violation counts.
St. Louis Property Maintenance Code requires landlords to remediate bed bug infestations in rental units, with the City Health Department investigating tenant complaints under habitability standards.
St. Louis residents may not place loose syringes in household trash or recycling. The Health Department supports community sharps drop-off and Missouri's syringe services program rules under state law.
St. Louis pursues healthy food access through corner store conversions and the Food Policy Coalition, with no mandated stocking rules but zoning and grant incentives in identified food-insecure neighborhoods.
St. Louis food establishments must employ a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, following Missouri Food Code adoption. Frontline food handlers are not individually card-required citywide.
St. Louis enforces general sidewalk-obstruction and pedestrian-passage ordinances rather than a stand-alone sit-lie ban, while public-conduct and sleeping-in-public rules still allow officers to clear blocking encampments downtown.
St. Louis Department of Human Services and Streets coordinate noticed sanitation cleanups of unsheltered encampments, pairing trash removal with outreach, shelter referrals, and limited storage of seized personal property.
St. Louis funds emergency, bridge, and transitional housing through the Continuum of Care and Department of Human Services, prioritizing intake by vulnerability, with rules covering length of stay, sobriety, and case-management participation.
Missouri Mo. §260.288 preempts local bans on auxiliary containers, including polystyrene foam foodware. St. Louis cannot prohibit foam cups, plates, or clamshells through city ordinance.
Plastic straw regulation by St. Louis is preempted under Mo. §260.288. The city cannot mandate straw-on-request policies or ban plastic drinking straws through local ordinance.
St. Louis cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 260.283 bars every Missouri political subdivision from imposing any ban, fee, or tax on paper or plastic carryout bags. The statute, enacted in 2015 (HB 722), specifically blocked a St. Louis bag-ban proposal then under consideration.
Missouri Mo. §407.926 (effective 2024) raised the minimum tobacco and vape purchase age to 21 statewide, aligning with federal Tobacco 21. St. Louis enforces this through retailer compliance checks.
Vape and e-cigarette retailers in St. Louis must hold a Missouri tobacco/vapor permit, verify customer ages under Mo. §407.926, and follow city zoning and business license requirements under Title XI.
Missouri has no statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products, and RSMo 407.927 governs sales standards while leaving questions about local flavor bans unresolved at the state level.
St. Louis has no day-of-week or time-of-day lawn watering restrictions. The city draws abundant supply from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers via the Chain of Rocks plant, so STL Water customers may irrigate without seasonal caps.
St. Louis Water Division requires customers to report visible leaks promptly and maintain private service lines from the curb stop to the meter. MSD Project Clear handles sewer leaks and the lateral repair program funded by a citywide fee.
St. Louis does not operate a municipal recycled-water network. Greywater reuse on private property is governed by Missouri plumbing code and the city Plumbing Division, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation is allowed under MSD Project Clear stormwater incentives.
St. Louis adopted a citywide Form-Based Code in 2024, replacing the 1947/1993 Euclidean zoning. The FBC organizes regulation by transect zones (T3 through T6) plus special districts, controlling building form, frontage, and use mix.
St. Louis offers density and height incentives within the Form-Based Code and through Tax Increment Financing or Chapter 353/99 tax abatement when a project includes affordable units, historic rehab, or LRA infill on the city's vacant land bank.
St. Louis encourages transit-oriented development around MetroLink light-rail stations and high-frequency MetroBus corridors via the Form-Based Code's T5/T6 transect zones, which permit higher density and reduced parking minimums near transit.
St. Louis permits shared e-scooters under a Streets Department permit framework with operator caps, geofenced no-ride zones, and 15 mph speed limits. Lime and Bird have operated under city contracts; sidewalk riding downtown is restricted.
St. Louis Bike STL plan, adopted 2014 and updated 2022, builds out roughly 90 miles of bike lanes including protected lanes on Tower Grove, Chouteau, and the Riverfront Trail. Cyclists must follow Title XV traffic rules and Missouri statute Chapter 307.
Title XX places street trees in the public right-of-way under the Forestry Division. Property owners abut but do not own parkway trees; planting, pruning, and removal require a city forestry permit and approved species list.
St. Louis canopy averages 27% citywide but drops below 20% in north-side neighborhoods like Wells-Goodfellow and Hyde Park. The Forestry Division and Climate Action Plan target equity-focused planting funded by federal Inflation Reduction Act dollars.
St. Louis manages public trees through the Forestry Division. Street trees are city property, and their removal or pruning requires authorization from the Forestry Division. On private property, tree removal is generally not regulated outside of development review. However, the city's zoning code may require tree preservation as part of site plan approval for larger projects. Dead or hazardous private trees must be maintained by the property owner.
St. Louis does not have a formal heritage tree registry with legal protections. The city values its mature urban canopy but does not have an ordinance specifically designating or protecting landmark trees. Significant trees may receive consideration during development review. The Forestry Division manages public trees and replaces those lost to disease, age, or construction. Forest Park and Tower Grove Park contain notable specimen trees.
The St. Louis Forestry Division replaces public trees that are removed due to disease, damage, or construction. The city plants thousands of trees per year through its reforestation program. Private developers may be required to include replacement trees as part of landscape plans during site review. The loss of ash trees to Emerald Ash Borer has driven significant replanting with diverse species throughout the city.
St. Louis regulates adult cabarets and bookstores under Title XI, requiring a special business license, distance buffers from schools, churches, parks, and residential zones, and on-site manager registration with SLMPD.
Tobacco and vape retailers in St. Louis must hold a city business license and comply with Missouri's statewide Tobacco 21 law, with city inspectors and SLMPD checking ID compliance and signage.
Pawnbrokers in St. Louis must hold a city license, electronically report every transaction to SLMPD, hold pledged items for a mandatory waiting period, and cap interest under Missouri pawn statutes.
Secondhand dealers, scrap-metal buyers, and resale shops in St. Louis must hold a city license, log seller ID for every transaction, and report sales electronically so SLMPD can trace stolen goods.
Massage establishments in St. Louis must hold a city business license, employ only Missouri-licensed therapists, comply with health inspections, and meet zoning rules under Title XI.
Tow operators in St. Louis must hold a city license, register each truck and driver with SLMPD, post regulated rates, and follow Missouri towing statutes for non-consensual tows.
St. Louis prohibits aggressive panhandling — touching, blocking, threatening language, or solicitation near ATMs and bus stops — while leaving passive sign-holding protected under the First Amendment.
St. Louis prohibits public urination and defecation under Title VII as a nuisance offense, with heightened enforcement in entertainment districts like Ballpark Village, Soulard, and the Grove.
St. Louis allows open containers of alcohol on public sidewalks and streets in much of downtown and Soulard, but bans drinking in vehicles, city parks (without permit), and during glass-bottle restrictions.
St. Louis restricts skateboarding on certain downtown sidewalks, in front of the Gateway Arch grounds, and in Kiener Plaza, but allows it broadly in residential streets and dedicated skate parks.
St. Louis hotel guests pay roughly 17% in combined taxes — city hotel/convention tax, St. Louis County tax for some properties, Missouri state sales tax, and a Convention and Sports facility surcharge.
The St. Louis Living Wage Ordinance requires city contractors and tax-incentivized employers — including hotels receiving TIF or tax abatements — to pay above the Missouri minimum wage with health benefits.
Missouri §285.055 bars cities like St. Louis from setting a minimum wage above the state floor, ending the city's 2017 $10/hour ordinance and limiting living-wage rules to public contracts and subsidies.
Missouri RSMo 71.010 also limits cities and counties from mandating paid leave or other employment benefits beyond state law, keeping benefit standards uniform across Missouri employers.
Missouri RSMo 71.010 preempts local predictive scheduling ordinances, preventing cities and counties from imposing fair workweek or advance-notice rules on private employers.
St. Louis adopted welcoming-city policies in 2017 limiting local cooperation with ICE detainers, but Missouri's 2021 SAPA framework and §67.307 force the city to honor most federal cooperation requirements.
Missouri RSMo 285.530 requires state contractors and public employers to enroll in E-Verify and bars employment of unauthorized aliens, creating a uniform statewide standard for verifying work authorization.
St. Louis adopts the 2018 International Fire Code under SLRC Title 25. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (charcoal, wood) and propane tanks larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings with three or more dwelling units. Single-family backyard grilling is unrestricted. Open burning of trash and yard waste is prohibited under SLRC Ch. 11.66.
St. Louis has no city-specific ordinance regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at single-family properties. Operation is governed by IFC §308 clearance rules (SLRC Title 25), the open-burning ban (SLRC Ch. 11.66, with cooking exempt), and AMC-style nuisance provisions if smoke crosses property lines. Multi-family balcony use is restricted by IFC §308.1.4.
Built-in outdoor kitchens in St. Louis require permits through the Building Division: a building permit for the structure, a gas-line permit for natural-gas connections, an electrical permit, and a plumbing permit for sinks. Structures must comply with SLRC Title 26 (Zoning) accessory-structure setbacks. Properties in Local Historic Districts require Preservation Board review through the Cultural Resources Office.
St. Louis has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to right-of-way obstruction rules and SLRC Ch. 15.42 noise standards for blower motors and audio. Local Historic Districts may restrict large yard installations through Preservation Board guidelines. HOAs commonly impose limits.
St. Louis has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Lights may stay up year-round on private property. Amplified outdoor audio must comply with SLRC Ch. 15.42 noise standards. Local Historic Districts (Lafayette Square, Soulard, Central West End, etc.) may restrict permanently mounted fixtures through Preservation Board review. HOAs are largely a private matter under Missouri law.
St. Louis has no city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. Property maintenance code under SLRC Title 25 applies only to dilapidated or junk-like accumulations. Local Historic Districts may require Preservation Board review for permanent visible installations. Political signs receive First Amendment protections. HOAs are private under Missouri law.
St. Louis permits rooftop solar PV installations through the Building Division with electrical and building permits. Typical residential permit fees $100-$300. Historic district review required in Lafayette Square, Soulard, Compton Heights, and other designated areas.
Missouri does not have a comprehensive solar access law preempting HOA restrictions. Some St. Louis HOAs and private place associations (Portland Place, Westmoreland, Kingsbury) restrict visible solar panels. Negotiation and variance common.
Temporary holiday decorations and lighting are generally allowed on residential property in St. Louis without a permit. Displays cannot obstruct sidewalks, create traffic hazards, or include electrical cords across public rights-of-way.
Political signs in St. Louis are permitted in residential yards as non-commercial speech with size limits similar to other temporary signs. First Amendment protections and Reed v. Town of Gilbert require content-neutral treatment. Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited.
Garage sale signs in St. Louis must be placed on private property with permission and removed promptly after the sale ends. Signs on utility poles, traffic signs, street trees, or in the public right-of-way are prohibited and subject to removal and fines.
Refuse containers in St. Louis must be stored behind the front building line, kept closed, and not overflowing. Shared dumpsters must have functional lids and be maintained free of debris under Title 11 property maintenance provisions.
St. Louis runs a formal Problem Properties Program and Building Division condemnation process targeting blighted, vacant, and derelict structures. Owners face daily fines, board-up orders, tax liens, and potential demolition under Title 25.
St. Louis allows residential garage and yard sales as accessory uses in residential districts. No business license is required for occasional sales, but sales are limited in frequency and duration and cannot create ongoing retail traffic.
Vacant lots and vacant buildings in St. Louis must be registered with the Building Division and maintained free of trash, overgrowth, and unauthorized access. The city also imposes a Vacancy Fee on certain long-term vacant structures and aggressively uses LRA tools.
St. Louis City Revised Code requires property owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting their property within a set time after the storm ends. Failure to clear can trigger citations and city abatement billed to the owner.
St. Louis addresses light trespass through general nuisance provisions. Lighting directed onto neighboring property in a manner that unreasonably interferes with use and enjoyment can be abated through Citizens Service Bureau complaints.
St. Louis does not have comprehensive dark-sky lighting ordinance. General nuisance and zoning provisions address light trespass. New commercial development often required to use shielded full-cutoff fixtures through site plan review.
St. Louis dumpsters and refuse carts must stay in the rear yard or alley service area. Carts cannot block alleys, sit on sidewalks, or be left in front yards. Loose refuse outside the container is a code violation under Title 11.
St. Louis residents can schedule bulk pickup through the Citizens Service Bureau or drop off items at the city Household Hazardous Waste and bulk waste facilities. Most appliances, furniture, and yard waste require advance scheduling; dumping bulk items in alleys is illegal dumping.
St. Louis provides single-stream curbside or alley recycling for city-serviced residences at no additional fee. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, and rigid plastics 1 through 5. Plastic bags, food waste, and electronics are excluded.
St. Louis Refuse Division collects residential trash weekly for buildings with six or fewer units using city-issued dumpsters placed in rear alleys. A monthly refuse service fee appears on the water bill, and set-out times are restricted to the collection day.
Recreational drone flights in St. Louis are governed by FAA rules, including TRUST certification, remote ID, and 400-foot altitude limits. The city lies under Class B airspace near Lambert Airport, so most neighborhoods require LAANC authorization before flying.
Commercial drone pilots in St. Louis must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization for flights within Lambert Airport Class B airspace. City property use requires a permit and insurance from the Parks Department or relevant agency.
St. Louis setback requirements vary by zoning district. Typical single-family: front 25 ft, side 5 ft, rear 25 ft. Historic neighborhoods often have reduced setbacks reflecting pre-war urban fabric. Dense two-family and multifamily districts allow zero-lot-line on sides.
St. Louis residential height limits typically 35-45 ft or 2.5-3 stories in single-family zones. Downtown and form-based districts allow much taller buildings. No height restriction on historic spires like the Arch or Cathedral Basilica.
St. Louis single-family districts typically cap building lot coverage at 40-50% and total impervious coverage at 60-70%. Historic narrow lots in Soulard and Benton Park often exceed modern coverage ratios legally as nonconforming.
St. Louis does not publish a specific annual limit on the number of garage sales per residence. Occasional sales are considered normal residential activity. Frequent or ongoing sales may be considered a commercial operation requiring a business license. The city's approach is that occasional garage sales do not require commercial licensing.
St. Louis does not require a permit for occasional household garage sales. The zoning code limits sales to a few per year per address (commonly three) and no more than three consecutive days each. Regular resale activity requires a home occupation permit and business license.
St. Louis does not mandate specific hours for garage sales. Sales should be conducted during reasonable daytime hours. The city's noise ordinance would apply if a sale creates disturbance during early morning or late evening hours. Typical garage sale hours are between 8:00 AM and late afternoon.
St. Louis restricts food truck vending near brick-and-mortar restaurants (typically 200 ft buffer downtown) and prohibits parking on residential streets. Designated vending zones in downtown, CWE, Grand Center, and at approved events. Private property operation with landowner permission allowed.
St. Louis requires food trucks to obtain a Mobile Food Vendor permit from the City Health Department plus a business license. Annual permit fees apply. Commissary kitchen required; trucks cannot operate from a residential address.
Door-to-door solicitors in St. Louis must obtain a Peddler or Solicitor license from the Business License office and carry the permit while working. Solicitations must stop at houses posted with No Solicitors signs, and operation is limited to daytime hours.
St. Louis recognizes No Solicitors signs as legal notice that solicitation is refused. Commercial solicitors who knock despite a posted sign commit trespass and violate city solicitation ordinances; non-commercial speech remains constitutionally protected but should respect posted notice.
Missouri is a permitless concealed carry state and bars localities from imposing additional rules on concealed firearms beyond what RSMo 21.750 and Chapter 571 permit, ensuring uniform statewide carry standards.
Missouri broadly preempts local firearm regulation under RSMo 21.750, reserving most gun-related legislation to the state legislature and barring city or county ordinances on possession, transport, or registration.
Missouri permits open carry statewide, but RSMo 21.750 lets cities restrict open carry within their limits while exempting valid concealed carry permit holders from those local restrictions.
Missouri RSMo 571.030 allows adults 19 and older to carry concealed firearms in vehicles without a permit, and state preemption blocks cities from adding stricter local vehicle-carry rules.
Missouri RSMo 537.295 and constitutional protections constrain how counties and cities may zone agriculture, limiting local authority to restrict expansions or modernization of established farms.
Missouri RSMo 537.295 shields established agricultural operations from most nuisance lawsuits, codifying a constitutional right to farm and limiting damages available against compliant farms and ranches.