All Laws Decoded

Eviction in St. Louis County, Missouri

Where eviction cases are filed in St. Louis County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in St. Louis County

Eviction court
Circuit Court of St. Louis County (21st Judicial Circuit), associate circuit division — Associate circuit court (division of the state circuit court) Court page
Filing fee
$53.50 filing deposit for Associate Circuit cases under RSMo Ch. 535 (landlord-tenant / rent and possession) or Ch. 534 (unlawful detainer); sheriff service fee extra 21st Judicial Circuit Schedule of Deposits and Fees (CCOPR101-WS), effective January 1, 2026
Notice before filing (state law)
No fixed pay-or-quit notice period. Landlord must demand the rent; if it is unpaid, landlord may file a rent-and-possession statement. The one-month termination notice of 441.060 is not required before filing. Missouri rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,218/month HUD
Renter households
127,319 (31% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in St. Louis County

Eviction cases in St. Louis County are heard by the Circuit Court of St. Louis County (21st Judicial Circuit), associate circuit division (Associate circuit court (division of the state circuit court)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Rent-and-possession (RSMo ch. 535) and unlawful detainer (ch. 534) cases are heard by associate circuit judges. Circuit Clerk: 314-615-8029, Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00. The court site has no dedicated landlord-tenant page.

How much it costs to file an eviction in St. Louis County

$53.50 filing deposit for Associate Circuit cases under RSMo Ch. 535 (landlord-tenant / rent and possession) or Ch. 534 (unlawful detainer); sheriff service fee extra

From the court's official fee schedule PDF (rev. 01/2026, effective January 1, 2026). Trial de novo from Associate Circuit Division $45. The sheriff's service fee is not on this schedule (Sheriff publishes a separate schedule; not verified).

Source: 21st Judicial Circuit Schedule of Deposits and Fees (CCOPR101-WS), effective January 1, 2026

The Missouri eviction process

Missouri state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including St. Louis County:

  1. Nonpayment: landlord demands rent (no fixed notice period). Lease breach, waste, or unauthorized sublet: 10-day notice to vacate (441.040). Holdover/month-to-month: one-month written termination notice (441.060).
  2. Landlord files a rent-and-possession statement (Ch. 535) or an unlawful detainer complaint (Ch. 534) with an associate circuit judge in the county
  3. Summons served at least 4 days before the court date, or by posting plus mailing at least 10 days before it. The court date is within 21 business days of issuance.
  4. Hearing. In a rent case, the tenant may stop it by tendering all overdue rent and costs (535.160).
  5. Judgment for possession, rent, and costs. Tenant has 10 days to move to set aside or apply for a trial de novo before the judgment becomes final.
  6. Execution issues. The officer (sheriff) delivers possession to the landlord within 5 days of receiving the execution (535.040).

Full Missouri eviction rules with sources →

Rent in St. Louis County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the St. Louis, MO-IL HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$955
1 bedroom$995
2 bedrooms$1,218
3 bedrooms$1,568
4 bedrooms$1,812

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in St. Louis County: $1,209/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

HUD designates this metro a Small Area FMR area: Housing Choice Voucher programs here use ZIP-code-level Small Area FMRs; figures shown are the metro-wide FMRs used for other programs.

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; city ordinances (if any) are covered on city pages.

Eviction help in St. Louis County

Free legal help

Other Missouri counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in St. Louis County?
Eviction cases in St. Louis County are filed with the Circuit Court of St. Louis County (21st Judicial Circuit), associate circuit division.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in St. Louis County?
$53.50 filing deposit for Associate Circuit cases under RSMo Ch. 535 (landlord-tenant / rent and possession) or Ch. 534 (unlawful detainer); sheriff service fee extra.
Where can I get help with an eviction in St. Louis County?
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri - Housing Law Program.
What is the fair market rent in St. Louis County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,218 per month (1-bedroom: $995).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.