Residents and community stakeholders of St. Louis are being called to have their say on the future zoning of their city. Mayor Cara Spencer announced an open house event set for December 3, where locals can engage, hands-on, with the Zoning Upgrade (ZOUP) project. This open house will be at the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex from 4 to 7 p.m., and according to a release from the City of St. Louis, the session will allow attendees to review the Code Diagnostic and provide feedback on the crafting of new zoning districts.
"Updating our zoning code is essential to making sure that St. Louis grows in a way that reflects our community’s values and priorities,” Mayor Spencer emphasizes, recognizing the need for progress that mirrors the sentiments of the city’s population. The ZOUP project aims to be a comprehensive overhaul, the first of its kind since the 1950s, and it is constructed upon previous community engagement for the city's Strategic Land Use Plan (SLUP). Don Roe, executive director of the Planning and Urban Design Agency, stated, “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," as per the City of St. Louis.
The initiative promises a modern code that is supposed to be easily understood and equitable. The development of new zoning codes and maps will draw upon the SLUP, and the participation of residents is touted as a key element in this transformation. Mary Hart Burton, the Zoning Administrator, highlighted the importance of community involvement, saying, “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 project team is inviting people to drop in anytime during the three-hour event, where light refreshments will also be provided, according to the City of St. Louis.
The roadmap to revamp St. Louis’s zoning code involves several stages; a full audit of the existing code is just the beginning. Resident feedback will be combined with insights from the Zoning Upgrade Advisory Committee, and working groups that include technical experts and practitioners. Public workshops, webinars, and educational events grouped under the “Code Connect” series will serve as channels for wider community engagement. The process will continue through 2026, with future events already anticipated to refine draft code language and solicit further public commentary. More details about the event, including the location, can be found on the project's official website.
