How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?

The minimum permit fee is Not stated on the county landing page located during this research. Fees are calculated as: Varies by permit type. Plan check fee: Not clearly summarized on the main county page located during this research.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?

The following work is generally exempt: Minor repair work below county code permit thresholds; county does not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list on the landing page reviewed.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Online through the county permitting portal after permit issuance.

County Building Permits

St. Louis City, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Missouri Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated St. Louis County where there is no municipal permit authority

Department: St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Code Enforcement / Permit Processing
Address: 41 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 615-5184
Email: Not clearly published for general county permit intake on the main permit page , use portal and county phone
Website: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/transportation-and-public-works/residential-building/

Online Permit Portal

Open https://aca.stlouisco.com/CitizenAccess/Cap/CapHome.aspx?TabName=PublicWorks&module=PublicWorks

Platform: Accela Citizen Access • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

//my.stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/transportation-and-public-works/accela-aca-training/how-to-schedule-an-inspection/

Application Process

Confirm the property is in unincorporated St. Louis County
Prepare the permit application, site plan, and drawings required by the applicable county checklist
Submit directly to St. Louis County through Accela or at permit processing
Address review comments, pay fees, receive the issued permit, then schedule inspections through the portal

Typical processing time: Not published as a single countywide SLA; depends on scope and review complexity

Source: St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Code Enforcement / Permit Processing

General Requirements

For construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and other work requiring county code review

Required Documents

When a permit is required: For construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and other work requiring county code review
Required documents: Permit application, site plan, construction-ready drawings, and sealed plans/calculations when required by project type
Permit validity/expiration: Not clearly summarized on the county landing page
Owner-builder rules if available: Property owner or contractor may apply; some trades must be signed by the licensed trade contractor
Contractor license requirements: Electrical work must be by a licensed and bonded electrical contractor; other trade permits follow county licensing rules
Building code adopted: County public guides cite 2015 IBC, 2015 IRC, 2015 UPC, 2014 NEC, and related county ordinances; verify current code cycle before filing

Permit validity: Not clearly summarized on the county landing page
Building code: County public guides cite 2015 IBC, 2015 IRC, 2015 UPC, 2014 NEC, and related county ordinances; verify current code cycle before filing
Owner-builder: Property owner or contractor may apply; some trades must be signed by the licensed trade contractor
Contractor requirements: Electrical work must be by a licensed and bonded electrical contractor; other trade permits follow county licensing rules

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Not stated on the county landing page located during this research
Plan check fee: Not clearly summarized on the main county page located during this research
Permit fee formula: Varies by permit type
Reinspection fee: Not clearly summarized on the main county page located during this research
Payment note: Portal supports online workflow; confirm accepted payment methods and any convenience fees at checkout

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Code Enforcement / Permit Processing to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Online through the county permitting portal after permit issuance ()

Inspection hours: Portal guidance says inspections may be scheduled up to 8 business days in advance

Typical inspection sequence: Depends on permit type; rough and final inspections are commonly required

Additional Resources

Building code: County public guides cite 2015 IBC, 2015 IRC, 2015 UPC, 2014 NEC, and related county ordinances; verify current code cycle before filing
Zoning information: View zoning info
stlouiscountymo.gov
my.stlouiscountymo.gov
License lookup guide: Missouri Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Missouri Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Missouri hub: Missouri Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Code Enforcement / Permit Processing before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?: For construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and other work requiring county code review
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?: The minimum permit fee is Not stated on the county landing page located during this research. Fees are calculated as: Varies by permit type. Plan check fee: Not clearly summarized on the main county page located during this research.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?: 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated St. Louis County 2. Prepare the permit application, site plan, and drawings required by the applicable county checklist 3. Submit directly to St. Louis County through Accela or at permit processing 4. Address review comments, pay fees, receive the issued permit, then schedule inspections through the portal
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?: Typical processing time is Not published as a single countywide SLA; depends on scope and review complexity.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?: The following work is generally exempt: Minor repair work below county code permit thresholds; county does not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list on the landing page reviewed.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Online through the county permitting portal after permit issuance.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated St. Louis County can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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