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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Chesterfield
For construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and other work requiring county code review.
- Exempt Minor repair work below county code permit thresholds
- Exempt Some work may avoid a county building permit but still require municipal zoning approval
Note: County does not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list. Confirm edge cases with the permit authority before proceeding.
- Permit application
- Municipal zoning approval
- Site plan
- Construction-ready drawings
- Sealed plans and calculations when required
- Building code
- 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.
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm county jurisdiction and any matrix exclusions for the municipality.
- 02 Obtain municipal zoning approval before county permit filing when the project is inside the municipality.
- 03 Submit the permit application, drawings, and supporting documents through Accela or at county permit processing.
- 04 Respond to review comments, pay fees after approval, then print the issued permit and schedule inspections through the portal.
Fee schedule
Chesterfield building permit fees
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.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Accela Citizen Access portal (online)
- (314) 615-5184 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspections may be scheduled up to 8 business days in advance.
Typical sequence: Depends on permit type; rough and final inspections are commonly required, with specialty inspections as needed.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Chesterfield permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Chesterfield, MO? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in Chesterfield, MO? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Chesterfield, MO? ▸
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Chesterfield, MO? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Chesterfield, MO? ▸
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.