The City of St. Louis’ goal of changing inappropriate, illegal or nuisance type behavior within our neighborhoods is very important as well as challenging. To address such issues, the following programs were developed to respond to neighborhood, family and social problems that tend to negatively impact the quality of life in our community.

Public Nuisance Ordinance #67600 establishes a procedure for abating public safety nuisances on both vacant and occupied property, regardless of whether it is private or commercial. The intent of this ordinance is to simplify the abatement process in an effort to further stabilize our neighborhoods. By law, a public safety nuisance is defined as any ongoing act or physical condition on a property, both public and private, that is detrimental to the safety of the inhabitants of the city. Specific nuisances may include, but are not limited to:

• Prostitution

• Illegal gambling

• Illegal sale, manufacture, storing, possession, distribution or use of narcotics or other controlled substances

• Any other condition or activity that may constitute a felony, misdemeanor or ordinance violation under federal, state, or municipal law which is detrimental to the safety, welfare or convenience of the inhabitants of the City of St. Louis or a part thereof.

A suspected nuisance should be reported to your Alderman and Neighborhood Stabilization Officer (NSO). Your NSO can help you through the nuisance resolution process by coordinating information between you, the police, property owner, city counselor, Alderman and others involved in resolving the situation.

Even after contacting your Alderman and NSO, it is critical that you call the police EACH AND EVERY TIME you observe bad behavior.

To report a nuisance to the police:

1. Dial 911 for an emergency or 231-1212 for a non-emergency.

2. Say “THIS IS A NUISANCE PROPERTY” and give the address of the property you are reporting – not your own address. (Calls to an entire block and/or street corner/intersection will not be counted towards the Nuisance Procedure.)

3. Be prepared to give specifics about What, Who, When and Where.

4. Leave a call back number so the police can contact you if they need more information, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THAT THE POLICE NOT COME TO YOUR DOOR.

If you are calling from a cell phone BE SURE to give the operator your cell phone number. If you don’t leave a number, the call will not count towards the Nuisance Procedure.

Click on the link to the right to obtain a Nuisance Reporting Card, which can help you in reporting information to the police.

The NSO will monitor your case and communicate with you about various problem solving strategies. If these strategies fail to end the nuisances, the City can order the owner to take corrective action or else risk having the City bring the case to a public hearing. If, after the hearing, the administrative hearing officer determines that the property is a public nuisance then the property may be closed for up to one year.

Citizens' Service Bureau
City Hall
Room 234
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103-2805
Phone: 314-622-4800
Fax: 314-622-4310
Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM M - F Closed Holidays.