Town and Country, Missouri Building Permit Guide

In Town and Country the City’s Planning & Public Works Department reviews plans and issues building and mechanical permits, St. Louis County Public Works issues electrical and plumbing permits, and West County EMS & Fire issues fire permits for commercial property. A City building permit costs $30 for the first $1,000 of work and $5 for each further $1,000, plus $60 per inspection.

What requires a building permit in Town and Country?

The City lists the work that needs a City building permit:

Demolition, fences, signs, site improvements, excavation, small cell facilities and occupancy each have their own City application. Electrical and plumbing work always needs a St. Louis County permit as well.

Who handles permits in Town and Country?

The City adopts the St. Louis County Electrical and Plumbing Codes and has an agreement for the County to enforce them; the County collects and keeps those permit fees. Plumbing, electrical and elevator work must be done by contractors licensed by St. Louis County, and the City’s building and mechanical applications ask for the contractor’s St. Louis County mechanical licence number. City Hall’s main line is 314-432-6606.

Town and Country applications and filing

Applications are filed with the Development Office at the Municipal Center: one signed application, two paper plan sets and a digital copy of the plans. The City’s Forms & Applications page carries the Building Permit Application (updated August 2026), Mechanical Permit Application (April 2026), Demolition, Fence, Excavation, Sign, Site Improvement and Small Cell Facilities applications, and the residential and non-residential occupancy permit applications.

The City also publishes plain-language guides for fences, storage buildings, swimming pools and pool houses, game courts, driveway gates, standby generators, new residences and the architectural review process, and new regulations for residential solar (Ordinance 4715) and accessory structures (Ordinance 4716).

Fire permits for commercial buildings are a separate application to West County EMS & Fire, filed through its website link with one full PDF plan set; it does not accept paper plans.

Town and Country permit fees

The City Code (residential code amendment R108.2) splits the first $1,000 into a $25 filing fee, paid with the application and forfeited if the permit is not taken out within 60 days, and $5 for work up to $1,000. For non-residential buildings that need more inspections because of their size or type, the minimum is the estimated cost divided by $50,000. The City can re-estimate the cost if the work proves larger, and values permits against International Code Council figures for the St. Louis area. Mechanical permits use the same rates.

For example, a $100,000 home remodel pays $30 + (99 × $5) = $525 for the permit, plus at least two inspections at $60, and the $5,000 street escrow.

The escrow guarantees repair of streets, curbs and sidewalks damaged during the work and is refunded within 30 days of completion, less any repair cost. Code Section 500.130 ties it to new houses, swimming pools, additions and remodeling over $50,000 at single-family homes. Electrical and plumbing permit fees are St. Louis County’s.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits in Town and Country

Mechanical: the City issues mechanical permits for new, added and replacement equipment on its Mechanical Permit Application, with drawings or unit specifications. Commercial jobs list the existing and new units and the equipment screening, with a picture of the screening.

Electrical and plumbing: permits come from St. Louis County Public Works under the County Electrical and Plumbing Codes, which the City has adopted, and the work must be done by County-licensed contractors.

Fire: West County EMS & Fire issues fire permits for commercial property. Book its inspections by email (preferred) or phone at least two business days ahead; for building permits it typically inspects at framing (with electrical and plumbing rough-ins approved), ceiling cover, temporary occupancy and final occupancy.

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

Application documents

Residential jobs must keep construction parking on site, unless an off-site parking plan is accepted or vehicles park only along the property on a street at least 20 feet wide. The City makes no promise that subdivision indentures allow the work, which is why the trustees come first.

How to apply for a Town and Country building permit

Town and Country inspections

The City carries out building and mechanical inspections. Call the Planning Department at 314-587-2820 at least 24 hours ahead with the permit number, address, inspection type and your name and phone number, and have the inspections done in the order shown on the inspection card. City permits are valid for one year, and extensions need the code official’s approval.

A new house, an addition or a basement finished into living space cannot be occupied until the City issues a certificate of use and occupancy. File the occupancy permit application with its $50 fee 14 days before the move-in date. A temporary certificate of occupancy for a house requires the street escrow to stay in place and a further $5,000 escrow for landscaping, grading and site restoration.

Local Town and Country rules

Building codes: the 2018 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical, Fire and Property Maintenance Codes have applied since November 2, 2020, with the County electrical and plumbing codes. The City has announced a move to the 2024 codes; no adopting ordinance was on a Board of Aldermen agenda through October 26, 2026, so the 2018 editions remain in force.

Floodplain: a separate floodplain development permit is required for any development in the A and AE zones on the February 4, 2015 flood maps. New or substantially improved homes need their lowest floor, including any basement, 2 feet above base flood elevation; non-residential buildings need 1 foot or must be floodproofed.

Occupancy for businesses: a non-residential occupancy permit ($50) is required before first use and at every change of occupancy or use, and is issued only after the business licence and fire inspection fees are paid.

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

Town and Country permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Town and Country?

The City’s Planning & Public Works Department issues building and mechanical permits. Electrical and plumbing permits come from St. Louis County Public Works.

How much does a building permit cost in Town and Country?

$30 for the first $1,000 of work, $5 for each further $1,000 and $60 per inspection. A $100,000 remodel pays $525 plus at least $120 in inspections.

Is there a deposit on residential projects?

Yes. Residential work valued at $50,000 or more needs a $5,000 cash escrow to guarantee street repairs, refunded after completion less any damage.

Do I need a permit to replace a roof or an air conditioner?

Yes. The City lists roof replacements and heating and air conditioning replacements among the work that needs a City permit.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Call 314-587-2820 at least 24 hours ahead and have inspections done in the order on the inspection card.

Which building code applies?

The 2018 International Codes adopted in 2020, with St. Louis County’s electrical and plumbing codes. The City plans to move to the 2024 codes.

Official Town and Country permitting resources

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

• Town and Country building permits and inspections
• Town and Country building permit fees
• Town and Country planning and permits guides
• Town and Country forms and applications
• Town and Country Building Permit Application (August 2026)
• Town and Country Mechanical Permit Application
• Town and Country Residential Occupancy Permit Application
• Town and Country Code Section 500.015, building code amendments and fees
• Town and Country Municipal Code (eCode360)
• Town and Country Code Chapter 415, flood, stormwater and erosion control

Simplify Town and Country 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 Town and Country permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.