Asbestos, lead and demolition work in Lemay, Missouri

How old are the homes in Lemay, Missouri?

Very old. Census data for 2020 to 2024 counts 7,256 housing units in Lemay. Of those, 93.2% were built before 1980 and 83.4% before 1970. More than nine in ten Lemay homes are older than most of the rules that now limit asbestos and lead paint.

Compare that with the City of St. Louis, where 81.7% of homes were built before 1970, and St. Louis County as a whole, at 50.4%. Lemay is older than both. The table shows the full spread by decade.

The Census groups homes by decade, so it cannot show 1978 exactly. We read “before 1980” as a ceiling and “before 1970” as a safe floor. Your deed or County record gives the real year.

Why does that age matter for asbestos and lead?

Because tests, not guesses, should decide your plan. Missouri’s health department says an estimated 60% of dwellings built from 1960 to 1978 contain lead-based paint. That rises to 80% for 1940 to 1959 and as high as 90% for homes built before 1949. Most Lemay homes sit in those bands.

Asbestos works the same way. We cannot tell you what is in your walls from the street. An asbestos survey samples suspect materials, so the plan matches what is in the building. AES offers an asbestos survey and asbestos testing.

Do not sand, scrape or burn old paint yourself. Read about lead-based paint and our guide to lead paint in pre-1978 homes. Missouri DHSS says anyone doing lead abatement must be licensed by the department. AES lists lead abatement as a service.

Who sets the rules in unincorporated Lemay?

St. Louis County does. Lemay is a Census Designated Place, which the County describes as a concentration of population in unincorporated areas. The County’s own historic list tags a Lemay site as “uninc.” There is no Lemay city hall to call.

Two clocks matter for asbestos. Missouri DNR requires notice at least 10 working days before crews begin a regulated demolition or abatement. St. Louis County Air Pollution Control also clears asbestos before demolition permits issue. Read the terms NESHAP and regulated asbestos-containing material.

Most single-family homes are exempt from the state notice rule. Commercial buildings and some residential structures are covered. Our guide to Missouri demolition and renovation asbestos rules covers the thresholds.

Does a Lemay demolition need a County permit?

Confirm that with the County before you plan a date. The County pages we read did not settle who issues a building demolition permit in unincorporated areas, so we do not state an answer or a fee here. Check the County Demolition Inspections page and call the number on it.

Our St. Louis County permits guide lays out the offices and what each one does. For a county overview, see St. Louis County.

AES lists demolition, interior demolition and building demolition as services.

What does the County occupancy permit mean for a Lemay sale or rental?

It adds an inspection step. St. Louis County requires a minimum safety and health inspection on properties in unincorporated areas whenever the occupant changes. The rule began in October 2005 for rentals and July 2007 for homes for sale. The County sets the fee; check its occupancy page for the current amount.

The County page describes a safety and health check. It does not mention asbestos or lead. Buyers of a Lemay house built in the 1950s still need their own testing if they plan to open walls or pull up floors.

How close is Lemay to the AES office?

Close. The AES office at 3100 Gravois Ave is about 7.5 miles from the center of Lemay, roughly 14 minutes without traffic. That is a free-flow estimate, so allow more at rush hour.

AES lists St. Louis, St. Charles and Columbia, Missouri, as its service area, plus projects within 300 miles of St. Louis. For city rules next door, see St. Louis, MO.

Can I get a free lead inspection in Lemay?

Sometimes. St. Louis County’s Healthy Homes Program offers free in-home lead inspections for county residents. You must have a child under six who lives in the home or visits regularly, plus a recent venous blood lead level test for that child. Lemay is in the county, so the program covers it.

If you do not meet those rules, the County points residents to the state list of licensed lead inspectors. Call the County first, because program funding can change. Our post on free lead inspections in St. Louis County explains the steps, and the lead help guide compares city and county options.

How do I plan a project in an older Lemay house?

Work in this order. The order matters because the permit step and the 10 working day asbestos clock run separately.

1. Find the build year. Use your deed or County record. A house from the 1940s or 1950s is the most common case in Lemay.
2. Order a survey. A certified inspector samples suspect materials before anyone cuts or demolishes.
3. Test paint. For a pre-1978 house, use a licensed lead inspector or risk assessor.
4. Check the County. Ask which County office handles your permit, and file the asbestos notice if the structure is regulated.
5. Schedule abatement first, then demolition or remodel. Regulated material comes out before other work starts.

Our guide to asbestos in older St. Louis homes lists the usual places to look.

Which AES services fit a Lemay home?

These pages match what older Lemay houses and small commercial buildings usually need.

• Asbestos abatement before remodels and teardown. AES holds Missouri DNR asbestos contractor registration 27-06-0640.
• Lead abatement for pre-1978 paint hazards.
• Mold remediation after basement leaks.
• Demolition and hazardous material disposal for cleanouts and teardown.

Next step

Call (314) 865-2662 or send our quote form with your Lemay address and the year the building was built. Start with the asbestos abatement page to see the process.