Can You Demolish Your Own House in St. Louis City?

Can you demolish your own house in St. Louis City?

Only a small one. The City lets an owner pull a demolition permit if the building is no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet in height, has less than 10,000 cubic feet in volume and 1,000 square feet of floor area, and has no basement. If your house is bigger than that or has a basement, a City-certified demolition contractor must pull the permit.

Many houses fail at least one of those limits. A two-story brick house, a bungalow with a full basement, or a house over 1,000 square feet all fall outside the owner path. The owner path fits sheds, small garages, and some small structures.

This post explains what the rules say, how the permit process works, and what you still have to handle even when a contractor does the work. For the service itself, see house demolition.

What are the owner limits, and does my house qualify?

A house must meet the height, volume, floor area, and basement limits together. Use this table to check your building before you call the City.

If you are unsure, measure the height, the footprint, and the volume, then call the Permit Section at (314) 622-3313. The City says to call about partial demolition, because permit requirements for it differ.

If the answer is no, you need a contractor. The City says demolition permits must be obtained by a Demolition Contractor certified by the City of Saint Louis, and that applicants must receive a Demolition Certification from the Demolition Contractors’ Certification Board before doing demolition or wrecking in the City.

How do I apply for the permit?

In person at City Hall. The owner of the structure submits the application during business hours at the Building Division, Permit Section, City Hall, Room 425, St. Louis, MO 63103. Prepare these items first:

1. Proof you own the building. If you are the owner, file under your name. If someone applies for you, they need a notarized letter from the owner with the owner’s contact information, the name of the person or company demolishing the structure, and the cost of the demolition.
2. Photos. The City requires photographic documentation: all four sides of the structure, neighboring structures or lots on all sides, and any visible damage to neighboring structures. The City says this helps protect against damage claims.
3. Supporting documents. A customer service representative processes the application and guides you through.

The City lists the Permit Section hours as Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The permit fee is based on the size of the building. For a garage or shed it is $25.00. The permit is good for 30 days, so line up your crew before you apply.

Do I need anyone else’s approval before I tear it down?

Possibly your lender. Dumpsters.com, a dumpster rental company, says that if you still owe a bank or mortgage lender, you will need approval before proceeding with a demolition project. That is a general national point, not a City rule. Check your loan papers before you spend money on a permit. Also check whether any utility, insurance, or neighbor issue applies, and ask the Permit Section if you are unsure.

What about asbestos before demolition?

You must deal with it. Missouri DNR says regulated structures must be thoroughly inspected by a Missouri certified asbestos inspector before demolition. DNR also requires notice at least 10 working days before demolition of any regulated structure, even if no asbestos is found.

The state exception covers a single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units. It does not cover two or more residential structures, and it does not cover a building used for any purpose other than residential, such as one converted from residential to commercial use or from commercial to residential use.

Do not rely on the exception alone in the City. The Department of Health is the delegated authority for asbestos and demolition notifications and inspections, and the City has its own ordinance for abatement. Call Air Pollution Control before work starts. For the full process, see our guide to St. Louis City asbestos and demolition permits, and our post on the 10 working day notice. If you plan to pull out suspect material yourself first, read can I remove asbestos myself in Missouri. Our post on where asbestos hides in old St. Louis houses lists what to expect in an older house. The glossary explains NESHAP, asbestos-containing material, and regulated asbestos-containing material.

If a survey is needed, our asbestos survey page explains it.

What happens if the house is falling down or the notice is skipped?

Skipping the notice is a violation. DNR says the owner and any contractors involved are obligated to make sure the notifications reach the department, and that failure to submit the notification is a violation of the department’s requirements. Both the owner and the contractor have a stake in getting it right.

An unsafe building has its own path. DNR says that if a regulated structure is structurally unsound and unsafe to enter, there may be provisions that allow demolition without inspection or removal of regulated asbestos-containing material, and tells you to contact the Air Pollution Control Program. DNR also says that if a government agency has ordered a building in imminent danger of collapse demolished, the 10 working day period can be waived, with notice no later than the following working day and a copy of the order. Do not guess here. Call the program first.

Will my house need extra historic review?

Possibly. The City’s Cultural Resources Office works with the Building Division on structures with cultural and historic significance. The ones it may flag are within Local Historic Districts (about 10% of the city), within Preservation Review Districts, or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. If a building meets one of those tests, the office reviews whether the structure should be demolished.

That review weighs architectural quality, structure condition, neighborhood effect, reuse potential, and proposed subsequent construction. Add time and ask early. If your house sits in a historic district, call the Permit Section before you hire anyone, since a review can change your schedule.

What does a contractor handle that an owner would not?

The permit and the certification. A certified contractor holds the City certification and applies for the permit. Ask each contractor who handles the asbestos inspection and the notice. Our guide to demolition from survey to debris lays out the sequence.

AES holds a City of St. Louis Demolition Certificate, Class II, certificate #877, for the period from 02/28/2026 to 02/28/2027. The certificate does not define Class II, so ask AES whether your building falls within it. See also demolition.

AES does not publish demolition prices. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use /contact.

What should I do first?

1. Measure the height, floor area, and volume, and note whether the house has a basement.
2. Check if your address sits in a historic or preservation district.
3. Decide whether the owner path fits. If not, ask for quotes from certified contractors.
4. Ask each contractor how they handle the asbestos inspection and notice.
5. Gather your ownership proof and photos before the permit visit.

Next step

If your house is too big or has a basement, call AES at (314) 865-2662 or use /contact to ask about house demolition in St. Louis City.