City Ordinance Guide

Backyard Chicken Rules in St. Louis, MO

Exact hen limits, permit requirements, coop setback distances, and HOA notes for St. Louis, MO — in plain language, not legalese.

Updated: 2025Source: St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 10.16

📋 St. Louis, MO — At a Glance

Hen Limit

Up to 6 hens

Permit Required

Yes — annual, $30/year

Permit Fee

$30/year

Renewal

Annual

Setback — Property Line

15 ft from property line

Setback — Neighbor's Home

No specific dwelling setback

Roosters Allowed

Not permitted

Yard Requirement

Rear yard

Neighbor Notice

Check at application

What the Ordinance Actually Means

St. Louis City (not St. Louis County — separate jurisdiction) allows up to 6 hens with an annual permit. The 15-foot property line setback is manageable on most city lots. MISSOURI HOA NOTE: HB 2062 ruled unconstitutional Oct. 2025 — HOAs can enforce chicken bans again. See our Missouri 2025 Ruling guide for full details.

Where to Apply for Your Permit

St. Louis City Animal Control — 314-657-1500

Before going in person, call ahead to confirm current hours, whether online applications are accepted, and the exact documents required. Application requirements can change without updates to the city's public-facing website.

What You'll Need at Application

While requirements vary slightly by city, most St. Louis, MO chicken permit applications require:

Completed application form (available from the office above or on the city's website)
A hand-drawn site plan showing your lot dimensions, house location, and proposed coop position with setback measurements to property lines and neighboring homes
Number of hens requested (do not exceed the city maximum)
Permit fee (cash, check, or card — confirm accepted payment methods)
Neighbor notification forms if required (see the At a Glance box above)

Coop Requirements in St. Louis, MO

Most cities require coops to meet basic standards regardless of whether a formal permit is required:

Fully enclosed — walls, roof, and floor or predator-proof skirting
Predator-proof — hardware cloth (not chicken wire) over all openings; buried or skirted to prevent digging predators
Weather-tight — protects hens from rain, wind, and temperature extremes
Maintained — no accumulated waste, no visible rodent activity, no standing water
Located in the rear yard as specified above

Most Common Violations in St. Louis, MO

The most frequent reasons people get cited for backyard chicken violations in this city: exceeding the hen limit, keeping a rooster, and coop setback violations. Measure your setbacks before building — not after.

FAQs — St. Louis, MO

Can I have chickens in a rental property in St. Louis, MO?

Possibly — if the city ordinance permits chickens in your zone and the property meets setback requirements. However, your landlord must also agree. Most lease agreements give landlords authority over animals kept on the property. Some cities explicitly require landlord written consent for chicken permits in rental properties.

What happens if I get a rooster by accident (wrong sexing from hatchery)?

Roosters are banned in St. Louis, MO. If your hatchery provides a rooster when you ordered pullets, you'll need to rehome or return the bird before it begins crowing — typically at 4–6 months. Document the hatchery error in writing. Once a rooster begins crowing, neighbors will notice quickly.

My neighbor complained about my chickens. What happens next?

Animal control will typically make an initial visit to verify whether a violation exists. If your setup is compliant (correct hen count, no rooster, coop in required location, setbacks met), document that clearly during the inspection. If a violation is found, you'll typically receive a notice with a correction deadline before any fine is imposed.

Does the hen limit change if I have a larger lot?

In St. Louis, MO, the hen limit as stated above applies to standard residential lots. Some cities do scale hen limits with lot size. Verify with the permit office whether your specific lot size qualifies for a higher limit.

Informational Only. Ordinances change. Always verify current requirements with St. Louis City Animal Control — 314-657-1500 before acquiring chickens. Not legal advice.