Overview
The City of St. Louis Building Division is a separate authority from St. Louis County. Its Permit Section provides building and specialty permit services.
Authority
City Building Division, Permit Section
Boundary
St. Louis City; not St. Louis County
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
City electrical permits
City Building DivisionApplicable Code
City electrical code and amendments; verify adopted edition.
License Requirement
Confirm electrical contractor qualification and City permit eligibility.
License Fee
City credential schedule
CEUs
Credential issuer requirements
Permit Fee
Current project-specific electrical fee amount not verified; excluded from the worked example. Electrical assessment is separate; the building application offers associated-trade information.
Plan Review Time
Confirm electrical plan and permit routing.
Common Pitfalls
- City and County electrical processes are separate.
- A declared associated trade is not proof its permit is issued.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Confirm City property
Establish jurisdiction and intended building use.
Prepare drawings
Follow the application’s plan requirements.
Apply and pay application fee
Declare estimated construction cost and associated trade work.
Complete review
Clear approvals and pay the permit balance.
Inspect the work
Coordinate building and required trade inspections.
Complete occupancy
Confirm residential/commercial occupancy and construction closeout requirements.
Permit fees and worked estimates
The live official building application page lists project-cost brackets; it does not state a separate fee effective date. Confirm the assessment before payment.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| City electrical permits | Current project-specific electrical fee amount not verified; excluded from the worked example. Electrical assessment is separate; the building application offers associated-trade information. | City credential schedule |
| Plumbing permits and inspections | Current project-specific plumbing fee amount not verified; excluded from the worked example. Obtain City plumbing assessment rather than applying building-cost rates to fixtures. | City trade schedule |
| Mechanical equipment and ventilation | Current project-specific mechanical fee amount not verified; excluded from the worked example. Confirm the separate mechanical permit category and equipment charges. | City credential schedule |
| Fire-protection coordination | Current project-specific fire-system fee amount not verified; excluded from the worked example. Request the system review/permit assessment; do not reuse building valuation fees. | System credential schedule |
| Buildings and renovation approvals | Official building page: over $3,000, $10 per $1,000 or fraction plus $25 application; smaller brackets differ. | City business/contractor schedule |
Codes and amendments
Confirm the City technical-code editions and amendments for the design. The Permit Section page identifies solar-ready plan requirements for new construction; verify applicability for the specific building.
Submission checklist
Homeowner rules
The Permit Section says some trade permits can be issued to homeowners. Confirm the specific eligible trade and documentation before acting as the applicant; no universal DIY exemption is assumed.
Inspections and closeout
Complete construction and trade inspections, then confirm the relevant construction and residential/commercial occupancy approvals. Housing-conservation occupancy services are not identical to a construction permit.