Arnold, Missouri Building Permit Guide

Inside Arnold, permits come from the City’s Building & Code Compliance Division, not Jefferson County. Apply and pay online in the City’s MyGov portal at least two weeks before you plan to start; the City aims to process applications in one to two business weeks, and the fee depends on the cost of construction and the number of trades on the permit.

What requires a building permit in Arnold?

Arnold requires construction permits for residential and commercial buildings and structures, including fences, retaining walls and signs, and for remodeling and demolition. The permit types in the City’s MyGov portal show the range:

A shed of 200 sq ft or less needs no permit, but a shed over 120 sq ft must still meet the property-line setbacks, most often 15 feet from the rear and 8 feet from the sides. Fences up to 2 feet high are exempt under the City’s code amendments. Rebuilding an old deck in the same place still needs a permit, and replacing more than one bundle of shingles counts as a roof replacement rather than a repair.

Arnold building department: who handles permitting

The Building & Code Compliance Division of the Community Development Department reviews plans, issues building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits and inspects the work against the City’s adopted codes. It also runs the property maintenance inspections required on sale or change of occupant. Brian M. Herr, CBO, is the Building Commissioner.

Contractor licensing: only contractors licensed by the City may work in Arnold, even if they hold a licence elsewhere. Contractors apply for the City licence in MyGov; under the City Code it takes the place of a business licence and runs for the licence year. Electricians, plumbers and drain layers also need a City specialty licence, which requires a copy of an existing licence, a fee and a $5,000 surety bond. The City’s deck and accessory building guides drop the contractor step where the resident owner builds the structure.

Arnold permits and the MyGov portal

All permit and contractor licence applications are made in MyGov. Register once as a “collaborator” at web.mygov.us, request access for the City of Arnold, validate your email, then choose the permit type, such as Deck Permit (R) or Accessory Structure Permit (R) under New Residential Permit, and upload drawn-to-scale plans. The same account is used to request inspections. The City’s Document Center has project brochures for decks, accessory buildings, fences, swimming pools and occupancy permits, plus driveway and utility permit applications for work affecting streets and utilities.

The City says to submit at least two weeks before your start date. It aims to process applications in one to two business weeks, and its deck and accessory building brochures put typical processing at up to five business days; season, scope and the completeness of the application change the time.

Arnold permit fees

Building permit fees follow a schedule approved by City Council resolution and maintained by the Building Commissioner. The fee depends on the cost of construction and the number of disciplines (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) on the permit, and it is due when you apply and submit plans. MyGov has a fee estimator for each permit type, and the department answers fee questions at 636-282-2378.

Inspections beyond the first inspection and one re-inspection may carry further fees. Temporary occupancy before repairs are finished can require a cash escrow of at least 150% of the approved estimate for the remaining work.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits in Arnold

The City issues residential and commercial electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, plus separate water heater, sprinkler, radon and storage tank permits, through MyGov. All work must meet the 2021 plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code as amended by the City. Electricians, plumbers and drain layers must hold the City specialty licence before they pull permits.

Septic systems are built to the 2021 International Private Sewage Disposal Code, which the City has adopted, and MyGov lists an Underground Septic Permit.

Alliance handles electrical permit applications for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Plans and documents

Every application is uploaded in MyGov with plans drawn to scale. For a deck the City asks for:

• A site plan or survey with setbacks, easements, structures and storm water drainage direction
• Foundation or pier plan
• Deck floor and framing plan
• Sectional details, sections through the deck in both directions and through the stairway
• An elevation drawing

Accessory buildings over 200 sq ft need similar scaled construction plans. The applicant is responsible for meeting any subdivision indenture or homeowners association rules.

How to apply for an Arnold permit

Arnold inspections

Compliance inspections happen while work is in progress and after it is finished. Schedule them in MyGov or by calling 636-282-2378.

Local Arnold rules

Inspection before every sale or new occupant: no owner may sell, transfer, mortgage or lease a property until the City has issued a Certificate of Compliance after a property maintenance inspection, and a new owner or tenant needs an occupancy permit before moving in, including moving furniture in. Apply for the Residential Occupancy Inspection in MyGov and call Rock Community Fire District at 636-296-2211 ext. 0 for its separate fire inspection. Violations must normally be fixed within 30 days, smoke alarms and nuisances at once. The certificate lasts until the sooner of six months or a change of occupant, and a property still vacant 180 days after inspection must be inspected again. As-is sales are allowed, but the occupancy permit still waits for the repairs or an approved escrow.

Vacant buildings: a structure vacant for six months must be registered with the City and kept to property maintenance standards.

Floodplain: the City names flows on the Mississippi and Meramec Rivers among its flood risks, and it takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program on flood maps effective October 2, 2025. Any development in the Special Flood Hazard Area, including earthwork, fill, excavation or tree clearing, needs a Floodplain Development Permit first. New homes and substantially improved homes must have the lowest floor, basement included, 3 feet above base flood elevation; non-residential buildings must meet the same height or be floodproofed. The Community Development Director is the floodplain administrator (636-282-2378).

Missouri building code

Missouri has no mandatory statewide building code for private construction: a county, fire protection district or municipality may adopt one (usually by reference under RSMo 67.280), and in parts of the state none has. Building codes in Missouri

Arnold building permit FAQ

Does Jefferson County issue building permits in Arnold?

No. The City of Arnold’s Building & Code Compliance Division issues building, trade and occupancy permits inside city limits.

How much is a building permit in Arnold?

The fee comes from a Council-approved schedule based on the cost of construction and the number of trades, and is paid when you apply. Use the MyGov fee estimator or call 636-282-2378 for a figure.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Arnold?

Only if it is over 200 sq ft, but any shed over 120 sq ft must meet the property-line setbacks.

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall or fence?

Retaining walls with an exposed face over 2 feet need a permit, and fences need one unless they are 2 feet high or less.

How long does a permit take?

The City aims for one to two business weeks and asks for applications at least two weeks before work starts.

Do I need an inspection to sell a house in Arnold?

Yes. A property maintenance inspection ($50 City, plus $70 to Rock Community Fire District on a change of ownership) and a Certificate of Compliance are required before sale, and the buyer needs an occupancy permit.

Which building code does Arnold use?

The 2021 International Codes, including the residential, plumbing, mechanical, fire and energy codes, and the 2020 National Electrical Code, with City amendments.

Arnold permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Arnold Building & Code Compliance Division
• Arnold building permits, inspections and FAQs
• Arnold MyGov permit applications
• Arnold MyGov permit fee estimator
• Arnold property maintenance inspections and occupancy permits
• Arnold flooding and floodplain management
• Arnold Document Center (project brochures)
• Arnold Code Chapter 500, buildings and building regulations
• Arnold Code Chapter 420, floodplain management
• Contact the City of Arnold

Simplify Arnold permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Missouri. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Arnold permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.