City of St. Louis Invites Community to Zoning Upgrade “ZOUP” Open House

Date Posted: November 20, 2025

Posted In: Ideas, What we are thinking about,

The City of St. Louis is inviting residents, business owners, developers, and other stakeholders to weigh in on the next phase of its Zoning Upgrade Project — known as ZOUP — during a public open house on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex (4343 W. Florissant Ave.).

The session will offer hands-on opportunities to review the City’s Code Diagnostic, a document outlining existing conditions and shortcomings in the current zoning code, which has not undergone a comprehensive rewrite since the 1950s. Participants will also be able to explore early concepts for new abstract zoning districts tied to the City’s Strategic Land Use Plan (SLUP) and recently adopted neighborhood plans.

Mayor Cara Spencer said the zoning rewrite is a chance to ensure land-use regulations better reflect community priorities. “Updating our zoning code is essential to making sure that St. Louis grows in a way that reflects our community’s values and priorities,” she said. “This next phase gives residents the opportunity to see what we’ve learned, react to early concepts and help shape the zoning districts that will guide the future of our neighborhoods.”

Led by City Agencies

The Zoning Upgrade process is being led jointly by the Planning and Urban Design Agency (PDA) and the Zoning Section of the Building Division. Building on community engagement from the SLUP process, the effort aims to deliver a modern code that is clearer, more equitable, and easier to use for homeowners, neighborhood advocates, and development professionals alike.

“We’re excited to share the results of the diagnostic phase and to begin testing ideas for a more user-friendly, flexible zoning code that reflects contemporary best practices,” said Don Roe, executive director of PDA. “Public feedback at this stage is critical to ensuring the new code reflects the unique character and needs of all of St. Louis’ neighborhoods while holding true to the goals and vision set in the Strategic Land Use Plan and neighborhood planning efforts.”

Multi-Year Process

ZOUP’s multi-year process runs through 2026 and includes:

A full audit and diagnostic of the existing code;
Input from residents, a Zoning Upgrade Advisory Committee, and technical working groups;
Public workshops, webinars, and “Code Connect” educational sessions; and
Development of new zoning districts, development standards, and a revised zoning map aligned with the SLUP.

“Our goal is to build a zoning code that is understandable, equitable, and effectively implemented,” said Mary Hart Burton, the City’s zoning administrator. “This open house is an opportunity for residents to see the progress, ask questions, and make sure the new code reflects what’s most important to them.”

The Dec. 3 event is open to drop-in participation any time between 4 and 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be available.

For those unable to attend in person, a virtual Code Connect session will be held Dec. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. Registration is available through Zoom. Join the discussion via Zoom by registering at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83911709124?jst=2

More information about ZOUP and upcoming engagement opportunities is available at www.zoup-stl.com, or by contacting info@zoup-stl.com or 314-266-8620.