--- title: "Jefferson County, MO Demolition and Lead Work | Advanced Environmental Services" description: "Jefferson County, Missouri demolition permits, older homes in Arnold, Festus, Hillsboro and Crystal City, and the Old Lead Belt Superfund program, explained." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/service-areas/jefferson-county-mo publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- # Demolition, asbestos and lead work in Jefferson County, Missouri Jefferson County Code Enforcement issues demolition permits in unincorporated areas, and each city runs its own. About 40.3% of county homes were built before 1980, and half the county sat in the Old Lead Belt. Asbestos notice goes to Missouri DNR. The County sets a permit fee, so confirm it first. [Request a Quote](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact)[(314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662) ![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) ![AES crew member in a protective suit and orange hard hat removing wall material from scaffolding](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/098.hgZ7AvUK_QfCE8.webp) ![Large warehouse floor polished to a high gloss by AES](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/concrete-polishing-6.D75US3SZ_1H2Hka.webp) ## Two permit offices Code Enforcement covers unincorporated Jefferson County. Cities such as Arnold run their own permits. ## Older homes 40.3% of county homes date before 1980. Crystal City reaches 64.1% and Arnold 54.3%. ## Old Lead Belt The Health Department says half the county was part of the Old Lead Belt, and EPA lists it as a lead Superfund site. ## Fee not published here Two County documents show different demolition fees. Ask Code Enforcement for the current amount. ## Jefferson County at a glance County homes built before 1980 40.3% [api.censusreporter.org](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_1yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=05000US29099) County housing units counted 95,393 [api.censusreporter.org](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_1yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=05000US29099) Arnold homes built before 1980 54.3% [api.censusreporter.org](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=16000US2901972) Crystal City homes built before 1980 64.1% [api.censusreporter.org](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=16000US2917632) County demolition permit validity 6 months from issuance [jeffcomo.gov](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1728/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF) County Code Enforcement phone 636-797-5310 [jeffcomo.gov](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1728/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF) Residential yards EPA sampled for lead Over 4,700 [epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1) Superfund entries in the county Two (Minker/Stout/Romaine Creek and Southwest Jefferson County Mining) [dnr.mo.gov](https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/sites-regulated-facilities/superfund/missouri-national-priorities-list) Office to Hillsboro (Code Enforcement, 725 Maple St.) About 38.5 miles, 51 minutes without traffic [router.project-osrm.org](https://router.project-osrm.org/route/v1/driving/-90.233935,38.599770;-90.56459982477,38.228763597915?overview=false) Home baseAreas we serveSelect an area for its page. Map data: US Census Bureau. ## 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](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/165/Code-Enforcement) has the office details. AES handles [demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/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](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). ## 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](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/neshap) notice covers regulated work, and an [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) tells you what is in the building before crews start. Read our guide to [Missouri demolition and renovation asbestos rules](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/missouri-demolition-and-renovation-asbestos-rules) for thresholds and filing steps. AES offers an [asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/asbestos-survey) and [asbestos abatement](https://www.aes-stl.com/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%. Place Homes built before 1970 Homes built before 1980 Jefferson County 26.8% 40.3% Arnold 41.0% 54.3% Festus 41.0% 47.4% Crystal City 50.9% 64.1% Hillsboro 27.6% 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](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/regulated-asbestos-containing-material-racm) in floor tile, pipe wrap and siding. Read [asbestos in older St. Louis homes](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/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](https://www.aes-stl.com/asbestos-abatement) and for lead paint. See [lead paint in pre-1978 homes](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/lead-paint-in-pre-1978-homes) and the [lead-based paint](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/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](https://www.aes-stl.com/soil-remediation) and [environmental remediation](https://www.aes-stl.com/environmental-remediation-services). AES also lists [lead abatement](https://www.aes-stl.com/lead-abatement).Learn the term [soil remediation](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/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](https://www.aes-stl.com/service-areas/st-louis-county-mo). ## Next step Call (314) 865-2662 or send our [quote form](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact) with your Jefferson County address and the work you plan. Start with the [demolition](https://www.aes-stl.com/demolition) page to see how AES runs a job. ## Frequently asked questions ### 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. Code Enforcement handles unincorporated Jefferson County at 636-797-5310. Inside a city such as Arnold, Festus, Crystal City or Hillsboro, check with that city's office too, because each posts its own forms. ### How much is a Jefferson County demolition permit? The County sets a demolition permit fee, but we do not publish a number here. Two County documents list different amounts, so the figure is unclear. Call Code Enforcement at 636-797-5310 for the current fee before you budget, and ask whether the amount differs by building type. ### Is there a county asbestos rule in Jefferson County? We found none. Asbestos notice for demolition and abatement of regulated structures goes to Missouri DNR at least 10 working days before crews begin. The County permit application we read does not mention asbestos, so the state rule still applies. Confirm the steps for your building with DNR. ### Are Jefferson County homes old enough to have lead paint or asbestos? Many are. About 40.3% of county homes were built before 1980. In Crystal City it is 64.1% and in Arnold 54.3%. Check the build year of your building. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, and older flooring, pipe wrap and siding can hold asbestos. ### What is the Old Lead Belt and does it affect my property? The Jefferson County Health Department says half the county was once part of the Old Lead Belt, and EPA lists the county as a Superfund site for lead. It matters most if you dig, grade or buy land. The Health Department offers free soil and private well water testing. ### Does AES work in Jefferson County, Missouri? AES serves projects within 300 miles of St. Louis. Hillsboro, the county seat, is about 38.5 miles from the AES office at 3100 Gravois Ave. AES lists demolition, asbestos abatement, lead abatement and soil remediation as services. Call (314) 865-2662 to confirm your address. ### How do I get a quote? Call (314) 865-2662 or send the quote form at /contact with your Jefferson County address, the building type and the work you plan. Tell us what you know about the build year and any past testing so we can scope the job. ## Terms on this page - [Asbestos-containing material (ACM)](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-containing-material-acm) - [Lead-based paint](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/lead-based-paint) - [Soil remediation](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/soil-remediation) - [Asbestos survey](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/asbestos-survey) - [Lead abatement](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/lead-abatement) - [NESHAP](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/neshap) ## Sources 1. [Jefferson County Code Enforcement](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/165/Code-Enforcement) 2. [Jefferson County: Demolition Permit Application (phone)](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1728/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF) 3. [Jefferson County: Demolition Permit Application (validity)](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1728/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF) 4. [Jefferson County: Demolition Permit Application (utilities)](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1728/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF) 5. [Jefferson County: Permit Requirements brochure](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1745/Permit-Brochure-PDF) 6. [Jefferson County: Permit Requirements brochure (debris)](https://www.jeffcomo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1745/Permit-Brochure-PDF) 7. [Missouri DNR: Asbestos](https://dnr.mo.gov/air/business-industry/asbestos) 8. [Missouri DNR: Asbestos (exemption)](https://dnr.mo.gov/air/business-industry/asbestos) 9. [Jefferson County Health Department: Lead](https://jeffcohealth.org/knowlead/) 10. [Jefferson County Health Department: Lead (testing)](https://jeffcohealth.org/knowlead/) 11. [Jefferson County Health Department: Lead (risk assessment)](https://jeffcohealth.org/knowlead/) 12. [U.S. EPA: Southwest Jefferson County Mining NPL site](https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1) 13. [Missouri DNR: Missouri National Priorities List](https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/sites-regulated-facilities/superfund/missouri-national-priorities-list) 14. [Missouri DNR: Missouri National Priorities List (Minker)](https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/sites-regulated-facilities/superfund/missouri-national-priorities-list) 15. [City of Arnold: Building Permits and Inspections](https://www.arnoldmo.org/government/departments/community-development/building/) 16. [U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 1-year, table B25034 (Jefferson County)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_1yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=05000US29099) 17. [U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 5-year, table B25034 (Arnold)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=16000US2901972) 18. [U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 5-year, table B25034 (Festus)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=16000US2924094) 19. [U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 5-year, table B25034 (Crystal City)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=16000US2917632) 20. [U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 5-year, table B25034 (Hillsboro)](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B25034&geo_ids=16000US2932248) 21. [OSRM route estimate: office to Hillsboro](https://router.project-osrm.org/route/v1/driving/-90.233935,38.599770;-90.56459982477,38.228763597915?overview=false) Checked against the sources above on November 6, 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the linked page before you act. ## 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)