Demolition Permits

The following information is for demolition permits obtained by Owners only.

An Owner may be issued a demolition permit provided the building to be removed is no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet in height and contains less than 10,000 cubic feet in volume and 1,000 square feet in floor area with no basement.

The Owner may be issued a demolition permit for a garage or shed. 

If only engaging in partial demolition, call the Permit Section for more information on the permits requirements.

Note to Contractors

Demolition permits must be obtained by a Demolition Contractor certified by the City of Saint Louis. 

Before conducting any demolition or wrecking activity in the City of St. Louis, applicants must receive a Demolition Certification as a demolition contractor from the Demolition Contractors’ Certification Board.

Review the City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook to learn how to become a licensed contractor.

The handbook covers everything from becoming a certified demolition contractor to applying for permits to on-site procedures and reporting requirements. 

Confirm Property Ownership

If you are the owner of the structure, you can file for the permit under your name. 

If you are not the owner of the structure, you must obtain a notarized letter from the building owner.

This letter should include:

• the owner’s contact information
• the name of the individual or company that will be demolishing the structure 
• the cost of the demolition.

Photos of Structure to be Demolished

All demolition permit applications must include photographic documentation of the structure to be demolished. When documenting the structure to be demolished, there are a few key things that need to be captured including:

• photos of all four sides of the structure
• photos show neighboring structures or lots on all sides
• photos of any visible damage of neighboring structures (this will help to protect against any potential damage claims).

1. To begin the demolition permit process, the owner of the structure that is to be demolished needs to submit the application in person during business hours at: 
    
   Building Division, Permit Section 
   City Hall, Room 425
   St. Louis, MO 63103 

If the applicant is a representative of the owner, present the notarized letter of the owner granting permission.

2. Present the prepared supporting documentation.
3. The Customer Service Representative will process the demolition permit application and guide the applicant through the process.

Call (314) 622-3313

• The cost of the demolition permit is based on the size of the building to be demolished.
• The permit fee for a garage or shed is $25.00.

A Customer Service Representative will process the demolition permit application.

The permit is good for 30 days.

The Cultural Resources Office works with the Building Division to ensure structures with cultural and historic significance are not damaged or demolished without reasonable cause. The structures that may be flagged through the Cultural Resources Office would be structures that are within Local Historic Districts (about 10% of the city), within Preservation Review Districts, or are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. If a building meets one of these criteria, the Cultural Resources Office will undergo a review process to determine whether the structure should be demolished. The review process will take into account factors including architectural quality, structure condition, neighborhood effect, reuse potential, and proposed subsequent construction. For more information review Ordinance 64832 that designates a portion of the City as Preservation Review Districts.