Chesterfield Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Chesterfield Zoning Overview
Chesterfield is a city of approximately 50,000 residents in St. Louis County, Missouri, located in the western St. Louis metropolitan area. Land use and development are regulated through the city's zoning ordinance as codified in the Chesterfield Municipal Code. The code establishes a range of districts from estate residential through commercial and planned industrial, each with specific standards for lot size, setbacks, height, and permitted uses.
Residential Zoning Districts
Chesterfield has five residential zoning districts. The R-1 estate district requires the largest lots at 40,000 square feet (nearly one acre) with generous setbacks, while R-4 permits single-family homes on lots as small as 10,000 square feet. The R-5 multi-family district allows apartments, townhomes, and condominiums with building heights up to 45 feet.
| District | Type | Min Lot Size | Front Setback | Side Setback | Rear Setback | Max Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 | Single-Family Estate | 40,000 sq ft | 50 ft | 20 ft | 40 ft | 35 ft |
| R-2 | Single-Family | 20,000 sq ft | 40 ft | 12 ft | 30 ft | 35 ft |
| R-3 | Single-Family | 15,000 sq ft | 35 ft | 10 ft | 25 ft | 35 ft |
| R-4 | Single-Family | 10,000 sq ft | 30 ft | 8 ft | 25 ft | 35 ft |
| R-5 | Multi-Family | Varies | 30 ft | 15 ft | 30 ft | 45 ft |
Commercial and Industrial Districts
Chesterfield provides two commercial districts and a planned industrial district:
- C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) -- Small-scale retail, office, and service uses serving surrounding neighborhoods
- C-2 (General Commercial) -- Broader range of retail, office, and service uses with heights up to 45 feet
- PI (Planned Industrial) -- Office parks, light manufacturing, research, and technology uses developed under unified site plans
Chesterfield is known for its significant commercial and employment centers, including the Chesterfield Valley area, which contains major retail and office developments.
ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Chesterfield does not currently have a specific ordinance authorizing ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). Missouri has no statewide ADU mandate, so local jurisdictions set their own rules. While accessory structures like detached garages and sheds are permitted under general zoning provisions, constructing a separate dwelling unit within an accessory building is not expressly allowed. Property owners interested in adding a secondary dwelling should contact Chesterfield Planning & Development Services for guidance.
Development Process
Development in Chesterfield generally requires obtaining the appropriate permits from Planning & Development Services. The process typically involves:
- Zoning Verification -- Confirm that your proposed use is permitted in the applicable zoning district by reviewing the municipal code or contacting Planning & Development Services
- Site Plan Review -- For commercial, multi-family, and industrial projects, submit a site plan for review by the Planning Commission
- Building Permit -- Apply for a building permit with construction documents that comply with the 2018 IBC/IRC as locally adopted
- Inspections -- Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy -- Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
For projects that do not conform to existing zoning, property owners may need to seek a variance, conditional use permit, or rezoning through the Board of Adjustment or Planning Commission.
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Chesterfield, property owners should:
- Verify the zoning classification of their property through St. Louis County GIS or by contacting the city
- Review setback, height, and lot coverage requirements for their specific zoning district
- Check for any overlay districts or special regulations that may apply
- Determine if the property is in a flood zone using FEMA's Flood Map Service Center -- Chesterfield Valley properties are particularly susceptible to flood zone designations
- Confirm whether HOA covenants or deed restrictions apply -- many Chesterfield subdivisions and planned developments have active HOAs with architectural review requirements
- Contact Planning & Development Services at (636) 537-4000 for pre-application guidance
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Chesterfield and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with Chesterfield Planning & Development Services or the municipal code before making development decisions.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Chesterfield
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Missouri
- Building Code: IBC/IRC (locally adopted with amendments)
County — St. Louis County
- Role: County-level property records, tax assessment, and GIS mapping services.
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Many Chesterfield subdivisions and planned developments have active HOAs with CC&Rs that may impose restrictions beyond city zoning, including architectural review requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 40,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 50 ft
- Side Setback
- 20 ft
- Rear Setback
- 40 ft
- Min Lot
- 20,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 40 ft
- Side Setback
- 12 ft
- Rear Setback
- 30 ft
- Min Lot
- 15,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 35 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 10,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 30 ft
- Side Setback
- 8 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 30 ft
- Side Setback
- 15 ft
- Rear Setback
- 30 ft
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
- Min Lot
- Varies
- Max Height
- 50 ft
- Front Setback
- Varies
- Side Setback
- Varies
- Rear Setback
- Varies
ADU Rules in Chesterfield
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Chesterfield are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Chesterfield permit fees →