Asbestos, lead, mold and demolition work in Kirkwood, Missouri

Why does Kirkwood, Missouri get its own page?

Kirkwood runs its own permit desk and its own landmarks review, so a Kirkwood job does not follow the same path as a job in an unincorporated part of St. Louis County. Plan for the city, the county and the state, in that order of paperwork.

The city side is the Building Division at 139 S Kirkwood Rd. The county side is the Department of Public Health, Air Pollution Control Program, which wants an asbestos survey for every structure that comes down. The state side is Missouri DNR, which takes asbestos notices. Each office has its own clock. Advanced Environmental Services (AES) is based in St. Louis, about 12.4 miles from Kirkwood City Hall, a 21 minute drive without traffic. That is a free-flow estimate, so allow more at rush hour.

Do I need a permit to demolish a building in Kirkwood?

Yes. Kirkwood’s Building Division lists Demolition of Structures, a Demolition Permit Application and a Demolition Packet. Its page says to apply through the city’s online public portal, and to use the posted forms only to see the requirements first. Phone 314-822-5823 for questions.

The same page says a Kirkwood Contractor’s Business License is required to work in the city. Ask the Building Division whether your crew needs one before you file. We did not read the packet itself, so we do not list its fees or attachments here. Call 314-822-5823 and ask what your address needs.

The county adds a second layer. St. Louis County says an asbestos survey by a Missouri licensed inspector must go in with the Demolition Waste Application and Release Authorization form. Our guide to Missouri demolition and renovation asbestos rules walks through the order of steps. AES lists demolition, interior demolition and building demolition.

What if the building is a Kirkwood landmark?

A landmark or a building in a historic district needs one more approval first. Kirkwood’s Landmarks Commission reviews demolition and new construction on landmark sites and within historic districts. It must issue a Certificate of Appropriateness before the city will give you a building permit.

The city counts 85 designated landmarks and nine local historic districts. They include businesses, schools, churches, cemeteries and many historic homes. The Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 pm, and complete packets are due two weeks ahead. If you plan a teardown or an exterior change, check the landmark list before you sign a contract. A missed meeting can move your start date by a month.

Interior abatement is a different matter. The commission page covers exterior alterations, demolition and new construction. For work inside, such as taking out old floor tile, ask the Building Division what applies.

How old are the buildings in Kirkwood, Missouri?

Mostly mid-century. About 70.2% of Kirkwood’s 12,978 housing units were built before 1980, and 59.6% before 1970, based on the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey. The single biggest decade is the 1950s. Roughly three in ten units are newer than 1980.

These are survey estimates with a margin of error. The Census groups homes by decade, so it cannot show 1978, the lead paint cutoff. Use the year built from your deed.

Homes from the 1950s and 1960s often have vinyl floor tile, pipe wrap, roofing and old paint. Do not guess. An asbestos survey samples the suspect materials before any work starts. Read our guide to asbestos in older St. Louis homes for the usual places. AES lists asbestos testing and asbestos abatement.

Is lead paint a worry in Kirkwood houses?

For a house built before 1978, assume there is lead paint until a test says there is not. Do not sand, scrape or burn it yourself, and keep children and pregnant women away from the work area. Lead-based paint dust is the hazard, and demolition and remodeling both create it.

St. Louis County says its inspectors visit any residential or commercial demolition to keep dust from leaving the property. The county also runs a free Healthy Homes lead inspection. To qualify, a child under six must live in or regularly visit the home, and that child must have a recent venous blood lead test. Others can hire a state-listed inspector. Our guide to lead paint in pre-1978 homes covers the next steps. AES lists lead abatement.

Which AES services do Kirkwood owners ask about?

AES serves St. Louis and projects within 300 miles, for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental and healthcare customers. Kirkwood owners mostly have older houses and small commercial buildings, so these pages match the common needs. Pick the one that matches what you found.

• Asbestos abatement before a remodel or teardown.
• Mold remediation and mold inspection after leaks or flooding.
• Demolition and interior demolition.
• Lead abatement for older paint.
• Moisture barriers under new floors.
• Hazardous material disposal.

For a county-wide view, see St. Louis County, MO.

How do I plan a Kirkwood project in the right order?

Start with the building’s age and landmark status, then survey, then file. The state wants at least 10 working days of notice before crews begin work on a regulated structure, and the city and the Landmarks Commission run on their own calendars.

1. Check the landmark list. If the building is on it, plan for a monthly meeting date.
2. Order the survey. A Missouri licensed asbestos inspector samples the building.
3. File with the county. The Demolition Waste Application goes in with the survey.
4. Send the state notice. Missouri DNR takes notices by email.
5. Apply for the city permit. Use the Kirkwood public portal.
6. Abate, then demolish. Regulated material comes out first.

Our guide to demolition from survey to debris explains each step. The county notice fits the federal NESHAP rule, and a clearance air test can close out an abatement.

Next step

Call (314) 865-2662 or send our quote form with your Kirkwood address and the work you plan. Start with the asbestos abatement page to see how a project runs.