Administrative overview · FIPS 29510
St. Louis City County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
City of St. Louis Building Division, Permit Section
For a project in or near St. Louis City, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
314-622-3313
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Permit Section, 1200 Market Street, Room 425, St. Louis, MO 63103
Operating hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Hot Spot Desk 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Review expectation
N/A; the city describes multi-agency review and notification after approvals but does not publish a standard 2026 review timeline.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for St. Louis City
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
City of St. Louis Building Division, Permit Section is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 314-622-3313.
How long might review take?
N/A; the city describes multi-agency review and notification after approvals but does not publish a standard 2026 review timeline.
How are inspections scheduled?
Apply online through the City permit portal; once assigned agencies approve, the city notifies the applicant and the permit may be paid and printed. Building inspections and occupancy inspections are handled by the Building Division; call 314-622-3313 for permit/inspection questions.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Existing Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 International Fire Code, 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, and 2017 National Electrical Code, plus City zoning ordinances. Ordinary residential repairs and maintenance usually do not require a permit; examples include painting, floor refinishing, like-for-like flooring, cabinets, gutters, unchanged windows/doors, certain on-grade steps, limited site work, awnings under 40 square feet, small accessory buildings 50 square feet or less, qualifying pools, like-for-like roof replacement up to 25% of sheathing, replacement fencing in the same location, retaining walls 18 inches or less, small antennas/tents, and statues. Historic districts/landmarks may require approval even for otherwise exempt exterior work; flood areas require a Floodway Development Permit.