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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for St. Louis City
For construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and other work requiring county code review
Minor repair work below county code permit thresholds; county does not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list on the landing page reviewed
- Exempt Minor repair work below county code permit thresholds; county does not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list on the landing page reviewed
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
- Building code
- 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
- 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
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not published as a single countywide SLA; depends on scope and review complexity
- 01 Confirm the property is in unincorporated St. Louis County
- 02 Prepare the permit application, site plan, and drawings required by the applicable county checklist
- 03 Submit directly to St. Louis County through Accela or at permit processing
- 04 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
§ 04
Fee schedule
St. Louis City building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not stated on the county landing page located during this research
02
Plan check fee
Not clearly summarized on the main county page located during this research
03
Permit fee formula
Varies by permit type
04
Reinspection fee
Not clearly summarized on the main county page located during this research
Portal supports online workflow; confirm accepted payment methods and any convenience fees at checkout
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Depends on permit type; rough and final inspections are commonly required
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated St. Louis City permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO? ▸
For construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and other work requiring county code review
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO, follow these steps: 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
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO typically run Not published as a single countywide SLA; depends on scope and review complexity. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Louis City, MO via: Online through the county permitting portal after permit issuance.
last verified April 2026
source St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Code Enforcement / Permit Processing ↗
entry id permits/missouri/st-louis-city/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Code Enforcement / Permit Processing before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.