--- title: "How Long Does a Demolition Permit Take in St. Louis?" description: "The City of St. Louis Building Division says it processes a contractor's application in under 30 days. The paperwork before that sets your real timeline." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-to-get-a-demolition-permit-in-st-louis publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- Local: St. Louis: 6 min read, published August 17, 2026 # How Long Does a Demolition Permit Take in St. Louis? The City of St. Louis 2018 demolition handbook says the Building Division will process a complete application in less than 30 days. The permit then lasts 30 days. The longer wait is usually the paperwork first: utility disconnects, the asbestos inspection and notices, and a historic review if the building is flagged. [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) ## How long does it take to get a demolition permit in St. Louis? The City’s 2018 demolition handbook says the Building Division will process a submitted application in less than 30 days. The City permit page gives no current processing time. So treat “under 30 days” as a ceiling from an older document, and call the Permit Section at (314) 622-3313 for the wait today. That number is only the City’s review step. Most delays come before it, because the City will not take a thin application. This post walks the whole path in the order it happens, so you can see where the weeks go. ## What are the steps, and what does each one take? Six steps stand between you and a permit, and only two have a time attached by an official source. The table shows each step and what the sources say about its length. Step Who does it Time the sources state Asbestos inspection and lab results Licensed asbestos inspector Not stated. Ask your inspector. Asbestos notice to Missouri DNR Owner and contractors At least 10 working days before demolition of a regulated structure Utility and sewer disconnects Ameren, Spire, a licensed plumber, City Water Not stated. Ask each one. Historic review, if flagged City Cultural Resources Office Not stated Building Division review City Building Division Less than 30 days (2018 handbook) Work after the permit Certified demolition contractor Permit good for 30 days Notice the pattern. The long steps are the ones nobody publishes a time for. Start those first. ## What are “walk around papers” and why do they slow things down? They are the approvals you collect from other offices before the Building Division will take your application. The 2018 handbook calls them “walk around papers.” Each one has its own office, hours and wait. The handbook lists these items: 1. **Electric and gas disconnect proof.** Contractors must get written verification from both utilities. The handbook names Ameren for electric and Spire for natural gas. 2. **Water and sewer disconnect approval.** The handbook says contractors disconnect sewer lines and water taps using a licensed plumber, which needs plumbing permits. Then they get approval from the St. Louis Water Department. 3. **Asbestos inspection report and notice.** Contractors give the City’s Air Pollution Control the inspection report and the asbestos NESHAP notification. The handbook says Air Pollution Control then approves or denies. 4. **Photos, an owner letter if the owner is not the applicant, and insurance and bond.** The City requires photos of all four sides and the neighbors. Contractors must provide insurance and a bond for approval by the Comptroller’s Office. 5. **A Solid Waste Management Plan**, for structures of 10,000 square feet or larger. The handbook is addressed to contractors, because the City says demolition permits must be obtained by a demolition contractor certified by the City. An owner can pull a permit only for a small building or a garage or shed. See our [City permits guide](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/st-louis-city-asbestos-and-demolition-permits) for the owner limit. ## Does the asbestos notice add 10 working days? For a regulated structure, yes. Missouri DNR says demolition notifications must reach the department at least 10 working days before the demolition of any regulated structure. Ten working days is about two calendar weeks. DNR says the notice is required even if no asbestos is identified. The [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) glossary entry shows what the inspection covers. The exception is narrow. DNR exempts a single residential structure that contains four or fewer dwelling units. Two or more residential structures are not exempt. A building converted from residential to commercial use, or the reverse, is not exempt. A house that fits the exception can still need a City inspection and notice, because the 2018 handbook says all structures to be demolished must be inspected for asbestos. The City also says demolition, renovation and abatement projects must be reported on the STL City Permits website. Read our [10 working day post](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/missouri-asbestos-notification-10-working-days) for how to count the days. Terms like [NESHAP](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/neshap) and [regulated asbestos-containing material](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/regulated-asbestos-containing-material-racm) are in the glossary. ## What is a realistic timeline from start to demolition? Add the published numbers, then add the unknowns. For a regulated structure the stated minimums are 10 working days for the DNR notice and, for a contractor’s application, up to 30 days for the City’s review. The permit then runs 30 days. The inspection, the utility shutoffs and any historic review have no published time, so they sit on top. Phase Published time Can overlap with other phases? Asbestos inspection and report Not published Start first Utility and sewer disconnects Not published Yes, while the inspection runs DNR notice At least 10 working days before demolition Needs the inspection report first City review of the application Less than 30 days (2018 handbook, contractor applications) Starts after all papers are in Permit life 30 days Starts when the permit is issued Pick a start date only after the inspector and the utilities give you their dates. ## What can add weeks to the timeline? Three things do. A flagged building, a rejected application, and a schedule that runs backward. - **Historic review.** The City says buildings in Local Historic Districts (about 10% of the city), Preservation Review Districts, or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places may be flagged. The Cultural Resources Office then runs a review. No time is published. - **Missing papers.** If one approval is absent, expect to come back. Check the list twice. - **Asbestos found.** Abatement by a registered contractor adds its own days, and the DNR notice clock may apply. See our [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/asbestos-survey) page. ## How long does the permit last once you have it? Thirty days. The City says the permit is good for 30 days. The 2018 handbook says extensions are granted only if extenuating situations exist, must be requested in writing before the permit expires, and that private jobs can be extended by a district inspector. Do not start the clock until the crew, the dumpster and the utility shutoffs are ready. The handbook also warns that for work started before a permit is obtained, the total fees increase by a surcharge. Starting early costs more, not less. ## What does the permit cost? The City says the cost depends on the size of the building to be demolished. It lists one flat number: $25.00 for a garage or shed. The fee tables in the 2018 handbook are old, so this post prints no house fee. Ask the Permit Section at (314) 622-3313 for the current amount. Contractors are quoted the cost after all documentation is submitted, according to the handbook, so you learn the fee at the end, not the start. Fees are not the only cost of delay. A late permit holds a crew, a dumpster and sometimes a lender. If your schedule has a hard date, work backward from it: inspection, notice, permit, then the 30 days of work. ## How do you shorten the wait? You control the paperwork, not the City’s desk. These moves cut the most time: - Order the asbestos inspection first. Everything else waits on its report. - Call Ameren, Spire and your plumber on day one. Ask for their lead times in writing. - Ask the Permit Section whether your address is in a historic or preservation district before you plan dates. - Hire a City-certified demolition contractor who files these every month. - Bring one complete package on the first visit. ## Next step Planning a demolition inside the City? If you are only taking down a small outbuilding, read [do you need a permit to tear down a shed](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/do-you-need-a-permit-to-tear-down-a-shed-in-st-louis). For a 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). Then read our [demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/demolition) page and the [house demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/house-demolition) page. Then call Advanced Environmental Services at (314) 865-2662 or use [/contact](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact) with the address, building type and your target start date. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does the City take to issue a demolition permit? The City's 2018 demolition handbook says that once a contractor submits the application, the Building Division will process it in less than 30 days. That figure comes from an older document. The current City permit page gives no processing time, so call (314) 622-3313 for today's wait. ### How long is a St. Louis demolition permit good for? The City says the permit is good for 30 days. The 2018 handbook says extensions are granted only if extenuating situations exist, must be requested in writing before the permit expires, and that a district inspector can extend private jobs. ### What are walk around papers? The 2018 handbook uses that name for the approvals that must go with the application. They include written proof that electric and gas are disconnected, water and sewer disconnect approval, and the asbestos inspection report and notice to Air Pollution Control. Collecting them is often the slowest part. ### Does a historic district slow the permit? It can add a review. The City says the Cultural Resources Office reviews buildings in Local Historic Districts, Preservation Review Districts, or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The City page does not state how long that review takes, so ask the Permit Section about your address first. ### What happens if work starts before the permit? The 2018 handbook says that for demolition work started before a permit is obtained, the total fees increase by a surcharge. It lists the schedule in an appendix, but that table is old, so ask the Permit Section for the current amount. Do not start early. ### Can I speed up the permit? The City permit page lists no rush option. You can shorten your own wait by having every document ready on the first visit: photos, owner letter, utility proof, the asbestos report and notice, insurance and bond. A missing paper sends you back to the line. ## Terms on this page - [Regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM)](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/regulated-asbestos-containing-material-racm) - [Asbestos-containing material (ACM)](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-containing-material-acm) - [Asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) - [NESHAP](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/neshap) ## Sources 1. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (processing time)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 2. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (utilities)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 3. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (asbestos)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 4. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (extensions)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 5. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (start before permit)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 6. [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) 7. [City of St. Louis Building Division: Apply for a Demolition Permit (certified contractor)](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. [Missouri DNR: Asbestos Requirements for Demolition and Renovation Projects (PUB2157), notice](https://dnr.mo.gov/document-search/asbestos-requirements-demolition-renovation-projects-pub2157/pub2157) 10. [Missouri DNR: Asbestos Requirements for Demolition and Renovation Projects (PUB2157), notice with no asbestos](https://dnr.mo.gov/document-search/asbestos-requirements-demolition-renovation-projects-pub2157/pub2157) 11. [Missouri DNR: Asbestos Requirements for Demolition and Renovation Projects (PUB2157), converted buildings](https://dnr.mo.gov/document-search/asbestos-requirements-demolition-renovation-projects-pub2157/pub2157) 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. [City of St. Louis Demolition Handbook, 2018 edition (insurance and bond)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/building/documents/upload/Demo-Handbook-2018.pdf) 14. [City of St. Louis Air Pollution Control (reporting)](https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/health/environmental-health/air-pollution/index.cfm) Written by Advanced Environmental Services and checked against the sources above on August 17, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [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) - [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) - [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.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/do-you-need-a-permit-to-tear-down-a-shed-in-st-louis) - [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) - [Mold remediation cost and timeline: what AES publishes and what drives the priceAES says prices typically range between $1500 to $10,000 for a home showing visible signs of mold, and 1 to 5 days is the normal timeframe for most average jobs. Severity, affected materials and the size of the contaminated area move both numbers. AES quotes each job after an evaluation.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/mold-remediation-cost-and-timeline) - [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) ## 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)