§ 20-31. Use of unapproved plat in sale of land prohibited; penalty.

(a)

No owner, or agent of the owner, of any land located within the platting jurisdiction of the city, knowingly or with intent to defraud, may transfer, sell, agree to sell, or negotiate to sell that land by reference to or by other use of a plat of any purported subdivision of the land before the plat has been approved by the city council or by the planning commission and recorded in the office of the county recorder.

(b)

Any person violating the provisions of this section shall forfeit and pay to the municipality a penalty not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each lot transferred or sold or agreed or negotiated to be sold. The description by metes and bounds in the instrument of transfer or other document used in the process of selling or transferring shall not exempt the transaction from this penalty.

(c)

The city may enjoin or vacate the transfer or sale or agreement by legal action, and may recover the penalty in the action.

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSMo 89.450.