--- title: "Do You Need a Permit to Tear Down a Shed in St. Louis?" description: "Yes. The City of St. Louis requires a demolition permit for wrecking work, and an owner may pull one for a shed. The fee is $25.00 and it lasts 30 days." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/do-you-need-a-permit-to-tear-down-a-shed-in-st-louis publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- Local: St. Louis: 7 min read, published August 14, 2026 # Do You Need a Permit to Tear Down a Shed in St. Louis? Yes. The City of St. Louis requires a demolition permit for wrecking or demolishing work, and says an owner may be issued one for a garage or shed. The City lists the permit fee for a garage or shed as $25.00, and the permit is good for 30 days. [Request a Quote](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact)[(314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662) ![Building wrapped in white containment sheeting during an AES lead abatement project](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/127.BqgpMQY__7ReD8.webp) ![AES lift and equipment parked between brick buildings on a job site](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/lead-abatement-2025-12-03-11.52.58.B1pmqNuI_2tzsob.webp) ![Worker in an orange lift working on the upper floor of a brick building](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/Lead-2.9LKWOFtB_1gAHyw.webp) ## Do you need a permit to tear down a shed in the City of St. Louis? Yes. The City’s Building Division says demolition permits are required for wrecking or demolishing work in the City. Its page lists no size exemption for small outbuildings. It does say an owner may pull the permit for a garage or shed, and it lists a $25.00 fee for that case. Many pages that rank for this question are national. PermitFlow, for one, says a permit might not be required for “small accessory structures (like a shed or detached storage) under a certain size threshold, typically 200 square feet or less.” That depends on the city. The City of St. Louis page states no such exemption, so plan on a permit. This post covers City limits only. See the last sections for the County. ## What does the permit cost and how long does it last? The fee is $25.00 for a garage or shed, and the permit is good for 30 days. For any other building, the City says the fee depends on the size of the building. That is why a house costs more than a shed. Item What the City of St. Louis says Permit required? Yes, for wrecking or demolishing work Fee for a garage or shed $25.00 Fee for a larger building Based on the size of the building How long the permit lasts 30 days Who may apply for a garage or shed The owner, within the owner limits below Where to apply In person, Building Division, Permit Section, 1200 Market, Room 425 Phone (314) 622-3313 The 30-day clock matters. A permit that expires before you start is wasted money and a second trip downtown. Book your dumpster, helper and utility shutoff first. Then pick up the permit. ## Who can pull the permit for a shed? You can, if you own the shed and it fits the owner limits. The City says an owner may be issued a permit when the building is no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet high, holds less than 10,000 cubic feet and less than 1,000 square feet of floor area, and has no basement. Most backyard sheds fit. A large two-story garage with a basement may not. Two other cases change the process: - **You rent or manage the property.** The City says that if you are not the owner, you must get a notarized letter from the building owner. The letter should include the owner’s contact information, the name of the person or company doing the work, and the cost of the demolition. - **A contractor does the work.** The City says demolition permits must be obtained by a demolition contractor certified by the City of St. Louis. Ask any hired crew to show that certification. The owner must submit the application in person during business hours. The Permit Section lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (314) 622-3313 to confirm before you drive down. ## What do you bring to the Permit Section? Bring photos, and bring the owner letter if someone else is applying. The City requires photos with every demolition application. Use this checklist. 1. **Photos of all four sides** of the shed. 2. **Photos that show the neighbors.** Capture the structures or lots on every side of the shed. 3. **Photos of any visible damage** to neighboring structures. The City says this helps protect you from damage claims later. 4. **Proof you own the shed**, or the notarized owner letter if you do not. 5. **Utility status.** Know whether the shed has electric service. If it does, have the power shut off by the utility first. The City’s 2018 handbook tells contractors to get written proof of electric and gas disconnection, and it names Ameren for electric and Spire for gas. Photos are the item most people forget. Take them before you leave the house, in daylight, with a neighbor’s fence in frame. ## Do you need another permit for the dumpster? Possibly. If the dumpster sits in the street or blocks any part of the sidewalk, the City says you need a Blocking Right of Way permit. That permit is separate from the demolition permit. A dumpster in your own driveway does not block the right of way, but ask the Permit Section if you are unsure. Many homeowners learn this after the permit is already running its 30 days. ## Does a shed need an asbestos check first? Possibly. The City’s 2018 demolition handbook says all structures to be demolished must undergo an asbestos inspection by a licensed contractor before wrecking starts. The handbook is written for contractors, and it does not say how the rule applies to a backyard shed. Ask the Permit Section before you assume either way. Here is why it matters. Older sheds can have asbestos-containing material in cement-board siding, roofing felt, shingles, floor tile or sealants. The City’s Air Pollution Control office handles asbestos notices, and its abatement rule starts at greater than 10 square feet, 16 linear feet or 3 cubic feet of [asbestos-containing material](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-containing-material-acm). A single wall of old siding can cross that line. The state rule has its own limits. Missouri DNR says an exception to its rule is “a single residential structure that contains four or fewer dwelling units.” That exception does not cover two or more residential structures or a building converted from another use. Whether a detached shed counts as that kind of structure is a question for DNR or the City. Our guides explain both sets of rules: [St. Louis City demolition permits and asbestos notices](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-city-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) and the state’s [10 working day notice](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/missouri-asbestos-notification-10-working-days). If you are unsure what your shed is made of, a lab test settles it. See our [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/asbestos-survey) page and the glossary entry for an [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey). Do not break up suspect material to see what is inside. ## Does a historic district change the answer? It can. The City’s Cultural Resources Office reviews demolitions of structures in Local Historic Districts, which cover about 10% of the city, in Preservation Review Districts, or that are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. If your lot is flagged, the office runs a review before the permit moves ahead. The City page does not say how long a review takes. A shed on a lot in Soulard, Lafayette Square or another historic area deserves a phone call before you buy a dumpster. Ask the Permit Section whether your address is flagged. ## What if the shed is in St. Louis County or another city? Do not rely on the City rules. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are separate governments with separate permit offices. The cities inside the County can also have their own rules for small structures, so check with your city hall first. Start with our [St. Louis County permits guide](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-county-asbestos-and-demolition-permits). Then call your city or the County and ask three things: is a permit required for a shed, what does it cost, and does any asbestos notice apply. ## What if the shed is attached to a house or garage? Then the project may be partial demolition, not a simple shed teardown. The City says that if you are only engaging in partial demolition, you should call the Permit Section about the permit requirements. A wall shared with a house, a roof tied into a garage, or a slab that serves two buildings can turn a $25.00 job into a larger one. Describe the structure to the clerk before you pay. If the work is bigger than you expected, our glossary entry on [interior demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/interior-demolition) explains the terms, and our [building demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/building-demolition) page covers larger jobs. If you are weighing a whole house, read [can you demolish your own house in St. Louis](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/can-you-demolish-your-own-house-in-st-louis). ## What should you ask before you tear it down? Ask these questions. They take ten minutes and save a return trip. - Is a demolition permit required for my shed, and what is the fee today? - Does my shed meet the owner limits on height, volume, floor area and basement? - Does my address fall in a historic or preservation district? - Does the shed need an asbestos inspection first, given what it is made of? - Who must disconnect electric service, and how long does that take? - Will the dumpster sit in the street, and do I need a Blocking Right of Way permit? - If a contractor does the job, can they show their City demolition certification? ## Next step Tearing down a clean shed with a permit is simple. Tearing down a building with unknown material, or a whole garage or house, is not. Read our [demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/demolition) page, then call Advanced Environmental Services at (314) 865-2662 or send the quote form at [/contact](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact) with the address and what the building is made of. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much is a demolition permit for a shed in St. Louis? The City of St. Louis lists the permit fee for a garage or shed as $25.00. For other buildings, the City says the fee is based on the size of the building. Call the Permit Section at (314) 622-3313 to confirm the fee before you go. ### Can I pull the shed demolition permit myself? Yes, if you own it and it fits the City's owner limits: no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet high, under 10,000 cubic feet and 1,000 square feet of floor area, with no basement. If you are not the owner, you need a notarized letter from the owner. ### How long is the permit good for? The City says the demolition permit is good for 30 days. Plan to start soon after you pick it up. Line up your helper, dumpster and any utility shutoff before you apply, so the 30 days do not run out while you wait. ### Do I need photos to get the permit? Yes. The City says every demolition permit application must include photos of the structure. Take photos of all four sides, show the neighboring structures or lots on every side, and photograph any visible damage to a neighbor's property. ### Does the shed need an asbestos check? The City's 2018 demolition handbook says all structures to be demolished must have an asbestos inspection by a licensed contractor before wrecking starts. A shed with old siding, roofing or flooring may hold asbestos. Ask the Permit Section how it applies to your shed. ### Do the same rules apply in St. Louis County? Not necessarily. This post covers the City of St. Louis only. Each County city and the County itself can have its own demolition permit rules. Call your city hall or the County before you start, and read our County permits guide. ## Terms on this page - [Asbestos-containing material (ACM)](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-containing-material-acm) - [Interior demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/interior-demolition) - [Asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) ## Sources 1. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (permit required)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 2. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (owner limits)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 3. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (owner, garage or shed)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 4. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (fee)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 5. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (validity)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 6. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (photos)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 7. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (not the owner)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 8. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (historic review)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 9. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (dumpster permit)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/permits/demolition-permits.cfm) 10. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (asbestos inspection)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 11. [City of St. Louis Air Pollution Control (City asbestos trigger)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/health/environmental-health/air-pollution/index.cfm) 12. [Missouri DNR: Asbestos Requirements for Demolition and Renovation Projects (PUB2157), exemption](https://dnr.mo.gov/document-search/asbestos-requirements-demolition-renovation-projects-pub2157/pub2157) 13. [PermitFlow: Demolition Permits, What Builders Need to Know](https://www.permitflow.com/blog/demolition-permit) Written by Advanced Environmental Services and checked against the sources above on August 14, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Can You Demolish Your Own House in St. Louis City?Rarely. In St. Louis City an owner can get a demolition permit only if the building is no more than 1 1/2 stories or 15 feet tall, under 10,000 cubic feet and 1,000 square feet of floor area, with no basement. Many houses are bigger, so a City-certified demolition contractor must pull the permit.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/can-you-demolish-your-own-house-in-st-louis) - [City of St. Louis demolition permits and asbestos notices: who files, what it costsIn the City of St. Louis, two offices work side by side. The Building Division issues the demolition permit. Air Pollution Control takes the asbestos notices. An owner may pull a permit only for a small building. Larger jobs need a City-certified demolition contractor. The City's asbestos trigger is 10 square feet, lower than the state's.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-city-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) - [St. Louis County demolition permits and asbestos rules: who issues what, and what it costsIn St. Louis County, Public Works issues demolition permits for unincorporated areas and for cities that contract with the County. Air Pollution Control must clear asbestos first. The base permit fee is $126. Twelve named cities also require a letter from the municipality. Utilities, septic tanks, wells and propane tanks must be handled before the permit issues.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-county-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) - [How Long Does It Take to Demolish a House? A Missouri TimelineAES says that if all the paperwork is present, a house can often be demolished in as little as 3 to 5 days. AES also says a small to medium building takes 5 to 10 days without extra work such as asbestos removal. Permits and notices can take a minimum of 10 working days first.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-demolish-a-house) - [Missouri asbestos notice: the 10 working day rule explainedMissouri requires notification to the Department of Natural Resources at least 10 working days before crews start a demolition or asbestos abatement project on a regulated structure. Demolition notices are required even when no asbestos is found. The inspection report and lab results must go with the notice. The owner and the contractors share the duty to file.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/missouri-asbestos-notification-10-working-days) - [Demolition in Missouri, From Survey to Debris: Every Step in OrderA Missouri demolition starts with a survey for asbestos, lead and mold, not with equipment. Next come notices to DNR or the city, utility disconnects and abatement. Only then does teardown begin, followed by salvage sorting and hauling debris to a regulated landfill. Each step protects the next one.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/demolition-from-survey-to-debris) ## Request your custom environmental remediation estimate Contact us for a free environmental remediation or restoration estimate and a personalized solution to your problems. [Or call (314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662)