A building permit is an agreement between the City of St. Louis and the applicant whereby the applicant agrees to follow all the City Codes, and the City agrees to inspect the construction to ensure that all Codes are followed. A building permit issued by the Building Division - Permit Section serves as a formal and legal authorization to start the construction work. All building permits are issued in the name of the Owner.

Building Permits for new construction, additions or alterations to existing buildings on private property are issued by the Building Division - Permit Section. All permits issued by the Building Division - Permit Section are building permits. There is no differentiation and/or special permits such as foundation only permits, shell building permits, interior finish building permits, renovation permits and general repair permits. The building permit work, which is authorized, is described in a general manner on every building permit issued.

For all construction projects in an area designed as a flood area per the FEMA Floodway or FIRM maps, a Floodway Development Permit must be issued even though a building permit may not be required by the Building Code.

The Building Division - Permit Section does issue partial building permits, if desired by the applicant. Generally, this method is used on construction projects know as "Fast Tracking". The entire building permit normally is not able to be issued by the Building Division - Permit Section due to time restraints on the reviews. The issuance of building permits in this manner does allow for building construction to begin before all contract documents are completed by the Design Professionals, and in that sense, may save Owners, Developers and Contractors construction time and capital.

Building permits for walls, fences, accessory buildings and swimming pools are issued by the Building Division - Permit Section. For swimming pools, separate permits are also required from the Plumbing Section and the Department of Health.

Separate building permits for fire detection, fire alarm systems, and fire suppression systems are required from the Fire Marshal, and Mechanical Section, or Plumbing Section. These permits must be applied for by a certified Fire Alarm and/or Sprinkler Contractor.

Building permits do not include plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work. Permits for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work are required to be applied for by the appropriate Licensed Contractor from the Section which reviews, issues, and performs the inspection of this work.

In addition to a building permit for items such as above-ground tanks, underground tanks and commercial exhaust hoods, separate permits are required from the Fire Marshal, Air Pollution and Mechanical Sections. All construction work located on public right-of-way, such as sidewalks, curb cuts for driveway aprons, alley, awnings, canopies and marquees require permits from the Street Department.

All construction work that involves encroachments, high hazard uses and special conditional use permits must be referred to and approved by the Board of Public Service before a building permit may be issued.

If the project is in a Chapter 99 or 100 Redevelopment Area, the Building Division will request a letter of approval from the St. Louis Development Corporation - Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority before a building permit may be issued.

If the project is in a Chapter 353 Redevelopment Area, the Building Division will request a signed release from the Board of Public Service before a building permit may be issued.

All applications for building permits in City Historic Districts, City Landmarks, all projects located within a City park or paid for from City General Revenue Funds, all encroachments on or over public right-of-way and all demolition permit applications must be referred to and approved by the Cultural Resources Office before a building permit may be issued. Copies of design standards for the 14 historic districts or 112 landmarks can be obtained by contacting the Cultural Resources Office at (314) 622-3400 or from the Register's Office in City Hall.

The Cultural Resources Office is authorized to require and issue permits in matters under its jurisdiction even though a building permit is not required by the Building Code. These permits are generally referred to as "CRO Only" permits.

Plumbing Permits are applied for, reviewed, approved and issued in the Plumbing Section. Plumbing permits are issued to Master Plumbers and Drainlayers who are licensed by the City of St. Louis.

Mechanical Permits are applied for, reviewed, approved, and issued in the Mechanical Section. Mechanical permits include heating, ventilation and air conditioning, elevators, escalators, lifts, and exhaust hoods.

Electrical Permits are applied for, reviewed, approved, and issued in the Electrical Section. Electrical permits are only issued to Electrical Contractors who are licensed by the City of St. Louis.

Demolition Permits are issued by the Building Division - Permit Section. The application process for a demolition permit begins by obtaining a house numbering slip in the Building Division - Permit Section. This house numbering slip is taken to the Customer Service Representative where the demolition application is completed. All requests for demolition permits are reviewed by the Cultural Resources Office. The Cultural Resources Office requires a minimum of two (2) photographs of all buildings that are to be demolished and a site plan drawing indicating the location and extent of the proposed demolition. The photographs must be submitted at the time the application is made.

Demolition permit must be obtained by a Demolition Contractor licensed by the City of St. Louis. The cost of the demolition permit is based on the size of the building to be demolished.

Occupancy Permits are issued by the Building Division - Permit Section. All commercial occupancy permit applications require a notarized letter (See attached Letter of Authorization which may be utilized) from the Owner of the property if the application is being made by someone other than the Owner of the property authorizing the applicant to apply for the occupancy permit or a signed copy of the lease with the Owner.

Occupancy permits may require an inspection by one or more of the following sections: Building Inspection, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, and Fire Marshal.

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This Page Last Modified: Monday, 19-Nov-2007 16:42:42 CST