St. Louis Zoning & Permits
Zoning rules, permit requirements, and building codes for St. Louis, MO. Source-cited from official municipal code.
Quick Facts
Population
281,754
Total Zone Types
22
Planning Department
St. Louis City Planning and Urban Design Agency
Zoning Map
Interactive online map
County
City of St. Louis (independent city)
Metro Area
St. Louis-Clayton-Chesterfield
St. Louis Zoning System
The St. Louis zoning system includes 22 total zone classifications: 6 residential zones (A, B, C, D, E, and others) and 5 commercial zones (G, H, I, J, and others), as well as 2 mixed-use zones (UR, URX) and 3 industrial zones (L, M, N). St. Louis is one of only two independent cities in the United States that is not part of any county (the other being Baltimore, MD). The City of St. Louis separated from St. Louis County in 1876 through the Great Divorce, and has functioned as its own county-equivalent jurisdiction ever since. This independent city status means all zoning, permitting, and land use authority rests entirely with the City government — there is no county oversight. St. Louis uses a traditional alphabetical zone system (A through N) from the 1994 zoning code, now largely being replaced through the City's Form-Based Code initiative focused on the historic neighborhoods of the Near South Side and Old North St. Louis. St. Louis's celebrated architectural heritage includes tens of thousands of red brick rowhouses and four-flat buildings, which define the urban fabric of neighborhoods like Soulard, Tower Grove, and Shaw. The city maintains an interactive zoning map for property lookup.
View St. Louis Zoning Map (interactive online map)
Building & Planning Departments
The St. Louis Building Department (St. Louis Building Division (Community Development Administration)) handles all building permit applications, inspections, and code enforcement. You can reach them by phone at (314) 622-3313 or apply online through their permit portal. Office hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:00pm. For zoning questions and land use determinations, contact the St. Louis City Planning and Urban Design Agency at (314) 622-3400. Zoning information is available online. Always verify current requirements directly with the department before beginning any project, as regulations and fees may have changed since this data was last verified.
Building Department
St. Louis Building Division (Community Development Administration)
(314) 622-3313
Visit WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Is St. Louis City the same as St. Louis County?
No — and this is a critical distinction. St. Louis City is an independent city that separated from St. Louis County in 1876. The City is not part of any county and functions as its own county-equivalent. When searching for zoning, permit, or land use information, make sure you are looking at St. Louis City resources (stlouis-mo.gov), not St. Louis County resources (stlouisco.com). Properties within city limits use the City's zoning code; properties in the suburbs use St. Louis County or their respective municipality's codes.
Can I build an ADU on my St. Louis rowhouse lot?
Yes. St. Louis allows ADUs in residential zones. The traditional St. Louis rowhouse lot typically has a rear yard with alley access — the natural location for a detached ADU or carriage house conversion. No replacement parking is required. Contact the St. Louis Building Division for current requirements and the Planning and Urban Design Agency for zoning questions. If your home is in a local historic district (Soulard, Lafayette Square, etc.), you'll need a Certificate of Appropriateness before building.
What is the St. Louis City home business permit process?
St. Louis does not require a separate home occupation permit, but home businesses must comply with zoning code restrictions: no customers visiting the premises in residential zones A-E, no exterior signage, no non-resident employees, and no more than 25% of floor area used for business. If you plan to operate a business requiring a state or city license (e.g., daycare, food service, professional services), contact the St. Louis License Collector for applicable license requirements.
How does St. Louis handle short-term rentals like Airbnb?
St. Louis requires an STR license ($200/year) for rentals of less than 31 consecutive days. Both hosted (room rental while owner is present) and whole-home rentals may be allowed depending on the zone. All listings must include the license number. St. Louis imposes a Hotel/Motel Guest Tax on STR revenues in addition to Missouri state sales tax. Contact the St. Louis License Collector at (314) 622-4111 for current licensing requirements.
My home is in the Soulard Historic District — what does that mean for renovations?
Soulard is one of St. Louis's most celebrated historic neighborhoods, designated as both a local historic district and a National Register Historic District. For exterior changes (including additions, window replacements, siding, fences, roofing material changes, and ADU construction visible from public right-of-way), you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the St. Louis Preservation Board before beginning work. Interior changes do not require Preservation Board review. Applications are reviewed at monthly Preservation Board meetings. Contact the Cultural Resources Office at (314) 622-3400.
Source: St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 26 (Building); St. Louis Zoning Code (Ordinance 69560). Last verified April 6, 2026. View source