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.
Title VIII Land Use was rewritten by Board Bill in 2024 to install a Form-Based Code drafted with the Planning Commission and a citywide steering committee. T3 zones cover lower-density neighborhoods; T4 covers most residential streets; T5 covers walkable corridors like South Grand and Manchester; T6 covers downtown and the Central West End. Civic, Open Space, and Special Districts (e.g., Riverfront, Cortex) carry custom standards. The FBC emphasizes building form, build-to lines, and active frontages over rigid use separation while preserving historic character through Title XXIV preservation overlays.
Construction inconsistent with the FBC transect zone — wrong setback, missing frontage features, prohibited use — is denied at plan review and risks stop-work orders if built without approval.
St. Louis, MO
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 ...
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis encourages transit-oriented development around MetroLink light-rail stations and high-frequency MetroBus corridors via the Form-Based Code's T5/T6 ...
See how St. Louis's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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