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1. How can I determine if my property is located in unincorporated St. Charles County?

St. Charles County’s GIS mapping service indicates whether each property is located within unincorporated county or within a municipality St. Charles County GIS Mapping Service

2. Where on my property can I build?

County Planning and Zoning staff can provide you with the minimum setback requirements for improvements to your property. The specific development standards are contained within the Unified Development Ordinance. St. Charles County’s Zoning Illustrated can be very useful for understanding these regulations. The County also provides online guidance about installing fences and swimming pools.

3. How can I determine how my property is zoned?

For properties located in unincorporated St. Charles County, the County’s GIS mapping service also indicates the zoning classification for each property. To access this information, first click on the “Layers” button and then on the “Planning and Zoning” and “Zoning Information” check boxes. St. Charles County GIS Mapping Service

4. How can I apply to the County to rezone my property?

To request that the County change the zoning classification for any property, a property owner (or agent for the property owner) can submit an application and copy of their deed to rezone their property along with the application fee. Using the County Master Plan as a guide, County staff will refer the application to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a staff recommendation. After holding a public hearing and taking public comments, the Planning & Zoning Commission will forward the application and its recommendation to the County Council. The County Council will either approve or deny the application. Rezoning a property is typically a three-month process. Visit the Rezoning webpage for more information on the steps to rezone properties.

5. Will improvements to my property require a Floodplain Development Permit?

To determine whether any project or improvements you plan to undertake on your property would require a Floodplain Development Permit, please contact the County Planning & Zoning Division (201 N. Second St., Suite 412, St. Charles, MO 63301, 636-949-7345, (fax) 636-949-7336, Planning@sccmo.org).

6. How do I open a business?

Before purchasing or leasing a property from which to operate a business, contact the County Planning & Zoning Division at Planning@sccmo.org or 636-949-7335 to verify that the zoning classification for the property allows your specific type of business. Following initial verification, you should apply for a Business Occupancy Permit by submitting the application to the County Building Division (201 N. Second St., Suite 412, St. Charles, MO 63301, 636-949-7345, (fax) 636-949-7336, bldgpermit@sccmo.org). If you plan to modify the building or site, you will need to discuss those changes with Building Division staff to determine if a building permit will be required. You should also contact the appropriate fire district to see if they will require an inspection. If your business will prepare or serve food you must contact the County’s Public Health Department (1650 Boone's Lick, St. Charles, MO 63301, 636-949-1800, pubhealth@sccmo.org) regarding any additional license requirements.

7. How do I obtain approval to operate a business from my home?

If you wish to operate a business from your home, you should submit a Home Occupation Permit application to the County Planning and Zoning Division (201 N. Second St., Suite 420, St. Charles, MO 63301, 636-949-7335, (fax) 636-949-7336, Planning@sccmo.org).

8. How can I subdivide my property?

Property owners have two options for subdividing property, depending on the lot size complexity of the subdivision. For the division of land into lots of five (5) acres or greater in size, provided the land is located within "A," "R" or "RR" zoning districts and outside of any existing subdivisions, you may submit a minor subdivision plat. For all other land divisions, a preliminary plat and a final plat will be required. Please note that all plats must be prepared by a professional engineer or land surveyor currently licensed by the State of Missouri. Minor subdivision plats are reviewed by County staff, and once approved by County staff must be recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds office. All other subdivision plats must be approved and signed by both the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Director of the Planning and Zoning Division. Once these plats have been signed and approved, they must also be filed in the County Recorder of Deed’s office.

St. Charles County ordinances do not require subdivision plats to be created for new parcels or tracts of land if the property to be subdivided is located outside of recorded subdivisions and its legal description was recorded prior to August 23, 1999.