Section 7.32 Is the Regulatory Means Chosen Reasonably Related to the Public Purpose That Is Being Promoted?

• Library: Local Government Deskbook (2017 Ed.)

2. (§7.32) Is the Regulatory Means Chosen Reasonably Related to the Public Purpose That Is Being Promoted?

In City of St. Louis v. Brune, 515 S.W.2d 471, 474 (Mo. banc 1974), the Court indicated that local regulations must “bear a reasonable and substantial relation” to the public purpose being promoted. The requirement of a reasonable relationship has been interpreted to mean that an individual’s rights should not be restricted by regulations that go further than necessary to achieve a legitimate purpose or that do not in fact promote what is acknowledged to be a legitimate purpose. Both aspects of the reasonable relationship requirement were discussed in Mid-State Distributing Co. v. City of Columbia, 617 S.W.2d 419, 423–26 (Mo. App. W.D. 1981).

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