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1. How far off the property line must I be if I want to build something on my residential lot?

It depends on the zoning district in which your house is located. In the "A" Residential District, you must be at least eight (8) feet from the side property line – more if you live on a corner lot. In the "B" Residential District, the distance changes to five (5) feet – more if it is a corner lot. For house additions, or for anything else that attaches to the house, the rear building setback line is: “A” district, a minimum of 25 feet; and for the "B" district, a minimum of 20 feet. If this is for a yard shed or detached garage, the minimum rear setback for the "A" district is 8 feet, and for the "B" district, 5 feet.

2. Can I put a yard shed in the back yard and is a permit required?

A small yard shed may be placed in the back yard of a residential lot. However, there must be a house on that property and the shed must be at least the side yard setback distance off all of the property lines. In addition, the size of such a structure is limited to less than 200 feet in area and 16 feet in height.

3. My neighbor is building a sundeck and doesn't have a permit. Can he do that?

Not legally. A building permit is required for any new construction in the City.

4. I live on property that abuts commercial ground. Can you make the business put up a fence?

Although our law requires a fence between commercial and residential property, if the commercial business was there prior to the enactment of the law, we cannot make the business erect a fence until there is a change in ownership or occupancy of the property. When the requirement for a fence was added to the zoning chapter, the governing body did not mandate fences be erected by any certain date. Hence, the business may continue to operate under what is known as a "grandfather clause."

5. How can I find out when the Board is considering zoning issues?

Not all zoning issues are required to have a public hearing. The best way to find out what is going on is by looking at either the Planning and Zoning Commission agenda or the Board of Aldermen agenda. Prior to being acted upon by the Board, all zoning issues go to the Planning & Zoning Commission for their recommendation. The P&Z meets on the second Wednesday of the month. In the event that there is no business pending, the meeting is canceled. The Board of Aldermen then votes on the matter after P&Z has forwarded their recommendation on the issue. Board of Aldermen meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays of the month; this may be adjusted due to holidays and summer months. (Check the calendar on the City's website.)

Some zoning issues such as a conditional use permit or rezoning require the Board to have a public hearing on the issue under consideration. Public hearings are advertised in the St. Louis Countian (a legal newspaper) at least 15 days in advance of the hearing date. In addition, public hearing notices are placed on public notice boards around the City. Last, a notification of the hearing is sent to any person who owns property within 300 feet of the site of a zoning change or use permit.