City Guide · Verified 2026
Deck Construction Permits in St. Louis
Local Rule
City of St. Louis Division of Building and Inspection (Department of Public Safety)
St. Louis is a genuinely independent city not part of any county, with its own building department separate from surrounding St. Louis County. Any deck attached to the home or elevated more than 30 inches above grade requires a permit and site plan; a small freestanding deck follows the general 200 sq ft baseline. The city's own fee structure is real and tiered: a $25 application fee plus a valuation-based permit fee, $19 for projects up to $1,000, $23 for $1,001 to $2,000, $30 for $2,001 to $3,000, and $10 per $1,000 above that.
Source · Verified September 2026
St. Louis Building Department
Office: City of St. Louis Building Division
Address: 1200 Market St., Room 401, St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 622-3313
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Missouri Statewide
Missouri has no county government, so there is no county-level rule to compare against. Here is what applies at the state level instead:
There is no single statewide building code, so the rule is set by your local jurisdiction; most still require a permit for any deck attached to the house or more than 30 inches above grade.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near St. Louis with a confirmed deck construction rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Deck Construction permits in St. Louis?
City of St. Louis Division of Building and Inspection (Department of Public Safety) handles Deck Construction permits in St. Louis.
Is St. Louis different from the rest of Missouri on Deck Construction?
Yes. St. Louis's rule is "Depends on project scope", while Missouri generally is "Check local rules". See the full breakdown of each below.
Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need
Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a deck construction project:
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