Demolition, asbestos and lead work in Jefferson County, Missouri

Do I need a demolition permit in Jefferson County, Missouri?

Yes. The County’s permit brochure says permits are required for the demolition of a structure. Jefferson County Code Enforcement issues them for unincorporated areas, at 725 Maple Street in Hillsboro. Inside a city limit, the city may issue the permit instead.

The County application asks for disconnect letters from all utilities, and it says a permit is valid only 6 months from issuance. When the work ends, you call for a final inspection once all debris is off the site. The brochure adds that debris must be disposed of as the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates.

Code Enforcement answers at 636-797-5310. It covers “all structures in unincorporated Jefferson County,” so the first question is simple: is your address inside a city, or not? The county’s Code Enforcement page has the office details. AES handles demolition and can plan the abatement that comes before it.

How much does a Jefferson County demolition permit cost?

The County sets a demolition permit fee, and we do not publish a number here. Two County documents list different amounts, so the correct figure is unclear. Call Code Enforcement at 636-797-5310 for today’s fee before you build a budget.

Fees change, and an old bid form is not a price list. Ask these three questions on the call:

1. What is the current demolition permit fee for my building type?
2. Is there a separate fee for land disturbance or utilities?
3. Does my address fall under the County or under a city?

Permit cost is small next to abatement, hauling and disposal. For a full price, request a quote.

Is there an asbestos rule in Jefferson County?

Not from the County, as far as we found. The state rule applies. Missouri DNR requires notification of demolitions and abatement projects involving regulated structures at least 10 working days before crews begin. The County permit application we read does not mention asbestos.

Most single-family residences are exempt from the DNR asbestos regulations, which apply to commercial structures and some residential ones. Exempt does not mean asbestos-free. A NESHAP notice covers regulated work, and an asbestos survey tells you what is in the building before crews start.

Read our guide to Missouri demolition and renovation asbestos rules for thresholds and filing steps. AES offers an asbestos survey and asbestos abatement. Confirm the filing steps for your building with DNR.

How old are the homes in Arnold, Festus, Hillsboro and Crystal City?

Older than the county average in most of them. About 40.3% of Jefferson County homes were built before 1980. Crystal City reaches 64.1%, Arnold 54.3% and Festus 47.4%. Hillsboro sits below the county at 36.6%.

The county figure is the 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimate (95,393 housing units). City figures are the 2024 5-year estimates, so compare them loosely.

Older housing raises the odds of asbestos-containing material in floor tile, pipe wrap and siding. Read asbestos in older St. Louis homes for the usual places. The same materials turn up in older Jefferson County homes.

What should I know about Arnold?

Arnold sits closest to St. Louis and has a high share of older homes: 54.3% before 1980, and 41.0% before 1970. The city says construction, remodeling or demolition of buildings generally needs a permit and related inspections.

Arnold’s Community Development office handles building permits, separate from the County. If you plan a teardown or a gut remodel, check the city’s permit steps first, then the DNR asbestos notice. Both run on their own clocks.

What should I know about Festus and Crystal City?

Festus and Crystal City are neighbors with old housing. In Festus 47.4% of homes date before 1980, and in Crystal City 64.1%, the highest share in this county set. Both cities sit inside Jefferson County but issue their own permits.

Before you hire demolition crews in either city, ask the city office for its permit steps. Then decide whether a survey is needed. A building from the 1950s or 1960s deserves a look for asbestos and for lead paint. See lead paint in pre-1978 homes and the lead-based paint glossary entry.

What should I know about Hillsboro?

Hillsboro is the county seat and the home of Jefferson County Code Enforcement at 725 Maple Street. It is about 38.5 miles from the AES office at 3100 Gravois Ave in St. Louis, around 51 minutes without traffic (an OSRM estimate, not rush hour).

Only 36.6% of Hillsboro homes date before 1980, lower than the county. If your address is inside the city, ask the city whether it issues the permit. If it is outside, Code Enforcement does, and it is right in town. AES serves projects within 300 miles of St. Louis.

What is the Old Lead Belt, and does it matter for my project?

It is a lead mining area. The Jefferson County Health Department says half the county was once part of the Old Lead Belt, and EPA lists Jefferson County as a Superfund site for lead. It matters most when you dig, grade, buy land or plan to remove soil.

EPA says it has sampled over 4,700 residential yards for lead in Jefferson County, and over 1,000 yards have been cleaned up since work began in 2007. Missouri DNR’s National Priorities List names two Jefferson County sites: Minker/Stout/Romaine Creek and Southwest Jefferson County Mining.

The Health Department says you can request free soil or private well water testing at your home. If your child’s blood lead level is above 3.5 mcg/dL, your home qualifies for a free lead risk assessment. Use these programs first. They are separate from private contractor work.

For soil that must leave a site, AES offers soil remediation and environmental remediation. AES also lists lead abatement.Learn the term soil remediation.

How do I plan a Jefferson County demolition from start to finish?

Work in order: check the build year, survey the building, file the state notice, get the permit, then abate and demolish. The state notice and the permit run on separate clocks.

1. Find which office issues your permit. County for unincorporated land, city for city addresses.
2. Confirm the build year. Older buildings raise the odds of asbestos and lead.
3. Order a survey for regulated material.
4. File with Missouri DNR at least 10 working days before crews begin on a regulated structure.
5. Disconnect utilities and collect the letters. The County application requires them.
6. Abate, then demolish. Regulated material comes out first.
7. Call for the final inspection and keep your disposal records.

Compare the neighboring process in St. Louis County.

Next step

Call (314) 865-2662 or send our quote form with your Jefferson County address and the work you plan. Start with the demolition page to see how AES runs a job.