House Demolition in St. Louis: Permits, Asbestos Rules and Who Does the Work

Do I need a permit to demolish a house in St. Louis?

Yes. The City of St. Louis requires a demolition permit for wrecking or demolishing work, and St. Louis County requires its own demolition form for every project. The rules differ by address, so start by confirming whether your house sits in the City or in the County.

This page covers the steps as the government offices publish them. It is not legal advice. Rules and fees change, and these were checked in November 2026. Call the office before you spend money.

The usual order of events looks like this:

1. Confirm the address is in the City, the County or another municipality.
2. Order an asbestos survey by a Missouri licensed inspector.
3. File the permit paperwork (City) or the County demolition form.
4. Send required notices before crews start.
5. Disconnect utilities, then demolish and haul away debris.

AES offers demolition for small residential buildings and large commercial buildings. See the AES guide to demolition from survey to debris for the full job flow.

Who can pull the permit, an owner or a contractor?

In the City, a demolition contractor certified by the City must obtain the permit. An owner can be issued one only for a small structure. That means most house teardowns need a certified contractor, not a do-it-yourself permit.

The City sets these owner limits: a building 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. The City also lets an owner get a permit for a garage or shed.

Anyone who demolishes in the City must first receive a Demolition Certification from the City’s Demolition Contractors’ Certification Board. The City Demolition Handbook explains how a contractor gets certified.

Before you sign anything, ask any contractor for proof of City certification. That one question protects you from a stop-work order and a wasted permit fee. AES holds a City of St. Louis Class II demolition certificate, #877, valid through February 28, 2027. See the AES certificate.

What photos and papers does the City want?

The City wants photos of the building and a notarized letter if you are not the owner. Photos must show all four sides, the neighboring buildings or lots on every side, and any damage already on neighboring buildings. That record helps guard against later damage claims.

If someone other than the owner applies, the City asks for a notarized letter from the owner. The letter lists the owner’s contact information, the name of the person or company doing the demolition, and the cost of the demolition.

The owner of the structure submits the application in person during business hours at the Building Division, Permit Section, City Hall, Room 425. A representative brings the owner’s letter. The City says the permit is good for 30 days, so line up your crew and your utility shutoffs before you apply.

Why does an asbestos survey come first?

A licensed inspector must check for asbestos before the wrecking starts. Older houses often contain asbestos in floor tile, siding, pipe wrap or plaster. Knocking those materials apart releases fibers into the air. The survey tells you what must be removed first.

St. Louis County says all regulated structures must be inspected by a certified asbestos inspector before renovation or demolition. The copy of the survey goes to the County with the Demolition Waste Application and Release Authorization form.

County Public Works and every municipality in the County rely on the County’s Air Pollution Control Program to confirm that asbestos and other hazards are handled before they issue demolition permits.

The state adds its own notice. Missouri DNR requires notification of demolitions and abatement projects involving regulated structures at least 10 working days before crews begin. DNR’s asbestos rules apply to commercial structures and some residential ones, and most single-family residences are exempt. The County survey still applies.

Read more in these pages:

• Asbestos survey, the AES page on inspections
• Asbestos abatement, for removal before demolition
• Missouri demolition and renovation asbestos rules
• The 10 working day notification
• Glossary: asbestos survey, NESHAP and regulated asbestos-containing material

What does St. Louis County require?

Every demolition in St. Louis County needs a Demolition Waste Application and Release Authorization form, no matter which municipality the house is in. The County’s Department of Public Health reviews it, and the signed form goes back to you for your municipality or County Public Works.

Contact the County’s Air Pollution Control Program at 314.615.8924 for the submittal list. The back of the form shows which documents each type of demolition needs. Depending on the structure, the County may also ask for a NESHAP form and a commercial checklist.

The County also names a health concern. It says demolitions are a source of dust, including lead. Houses built before 1978 may carry lead-based paint. Ask your contractor how it controls dust, and read about lead abatement if your house is older.

For local pages, see St. Louis County, St. Louis City and the St. Charles page, which covers the County demolition permit.

What fees and notices apply?

The City sets the demolition permit cost by building size and lists $25.00 for a garage or shed. The City Air Pollution Control office lists a $100 demolition notification and a $200 demolition inspection. Ask the Permit Section for the house fee.

Here is a summary of the steps with the office that handles each one.

Fees can change. Use the official pages linked above as the final word. See the City asbestos abatement permit post for the abatement side.

What gets disconnected, and where does the debris go?

Utilities must be shut off before wrecking starts, and the debris must go to a proper disposal site. Your contractor coordinates both, but you should confirm who calls the utilities and who pays the disconnect fees.

AES says utility companies must be told about the disconnection and removal of meters or services near the building. These include electric, gas, water and communication lines. AES notes that utility companies usually charge a disconnection and removal fee.

AES also says it removes materials fit for recycling before demolition. That includes items such as bathtubs, sinks, toilets, bricks, stone, dimensional lumber, doors, windows and wood flooring. Remaining debris is hauled away for disposal.

For cost drivers such as access, basements and hazardous materials, read about building demolition costs. AES does not publish demolition prices. It quotes each job.

What if my house is in a historic district?

The City may review the demolition first. Its Cultural Resources Office works with the Building Division to protect buildings with historic value. Buildings in Local Historic Districts, Preservation Review Districts or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places can be flagged.

Local Historic Districts cover about 10% of the City. If the office flags your house, it reviews architectural quality, the condition of the structure, the effect on the neighborhood, reuse potential and the proposed new construction. Ask the Permit Section early. A review can add time before any permit is issued.

Does AES do residential and commercial demolition?

Yes. AES says it provides demolition for commercial, industrial and residential properties, including small residential buildings and large commercial buildings. It can combine demolition with asbestos abatement, lead abatement and mold remediation under one contractor.

Interior work is separate. AES says its interior demolition can run in occupied buildings, with dirt, dust and debris contained within the work area. For full structures, see building demolition.

AES serves St. Louis and projects within 300 miles. AES holds a City of St. Louis Class II demolition certificate (#877), valid through February 28, 2027 (certificate PDF). Whoever you hire, ask for the City certification, the asbestos survey plan and the debris disposal plan in writing.

Next step

Ready to price a teardown? See AES demolition services, then call (314) 865-2662 or use the quote form on the contact page. Send the address, building size and any asbestos or lead results you already have.