What's Required in St. Louis
- No building permit for a detached shed of 120 sq ft or less and under 12 ft tall, anchored to a 4 in concrete slab and meeting zoning setbacks (Ord. 70795 Sec. 105.2 item 26)
- Building permit for any shed over 120 sq ft, over 12 ft tall, or housing fuel-fired equipment or fuel storage above 50 sq ft
- Fee: $25 application plus $19 to $30 for work up to $3,000, then $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost or fraction thereof
- Electrical permit ($25 + $60) for any wiring to the shed, pulled by a city-licensed electrical contractor or a tested owner-occupant
- Sheds of 120 to 200 sq ft may sit on a treated-wood base or anchored 4 in slab; over 200 sq ft needs a permanent concrete footing and foundation
- Shed walls closer than 3 ft to a side property line need a one-hour fire rating
- Keep the shed behind the front yard line and inside the district's side and rear setbacks; A district side yard is 4 ft (3 ft minimum on narrow lots)
- One set of photographs with the application in a historic district or within 300 ft of a park, historic district or landmark
- Floodway Development Permit for any site in a FEMA flood area, even where no building permit is needed
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Shed in St. Louis?
Not for a small one on a slab. The City of St. Louis building code (Ordinance 70795, the 2018 International Residential Code as amended, Section 105.2 item 26) exempts small detached accessory buildings of 120 square feet or less and less than 12 feet in height, provided the shed is placed on and anchored to a concrete slab at least 4 inches thick and keeps the setbacks the Zoning Ordinance requires. The Building Division's own utility-shed handout says the same thing. Note the slab condition: as written, the exemption does not cover a 10x12 shed dropped on skids or a gravel pad, so ask the Hot Spot desk before you set one that way.
The Building Division's "When a Residential Building Permit is Needed" web page still lists the old 50 square foot cutoff. The ordinance controls, and 50 square feet survives only for sheds with fuel-fired equipment, fuel or hazardous storage, or a smokehouse or barbecue use. Anything over 120 square feet, or taller than 12 feet, needs a building permit, and any wiring to the shed needs an electrical permit whatever the size.
St. Louis Shed Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Shed of 120 sq ft or less, under 12 ft tall, anchored to a 4 in concrete slab, setbacks met | None | Ord. 70795 Sec. 105.2 item 26 |
| Same shed with a light, outlet or heater circuit | Electrical permit, $85 ($25 + $60) | Electrical Code 80.8.1; residential repair or modify fee |
| Shed over 120 sq ft, for example 12x16 costing $8,000 | Building permit, $105 ($25 + $80) | Fee table: $10 per $1,000 over $3,000 |
| Shed of 120 to 200 sq ft, 12 ft or less, on a treated-wood base or anchored slab | Building permit; base shown on plans | Utility shed handout note 7.2 |
| Shed over 200 sq ft | Building permit; permanent concrete footing and foundation, 30 in frost depth | Handout 7.2; R403.1.4.1 as amended |
| Shed wall closer than 3 ft to a side property line | One-hour fire-rated wall; zoning side yard check | Handout 7.4; Zoning 26.20.070 |
| Shed in a City historic district or within 300 ft of a park or landmark | Photographs with the application; Cultural Resources review | Handout; permit criteria page |
How Much Does a Shed Permit Cost in St. Louis?
Building permit fees follow the total estimated cost of the project. The Building Division's table charges a $25 application fee plus $19 (total $44) for work up to $1,000, $23 ($48) up to $2,000, $30 ($55) up to $3,000, and $10 per $1,000 or fraction above that. A $6,000 prefab shed over the size limit pays $25 + $60 = $85; a $12,000 shed pays $145. Only the $25 application fee is due at filing; the permit fee is collected when the permit is ready to issue, and nothing is refundable. Paying online adds a 2.55 percent card fee. Start work before the permit issues and Table R109.4 adds a surcharge of $30 on a fee up to $50, $90 on a fee of $51 to $200.
The 2018 ordinance printed a lower rate ($6 per $1,000 with a $15 minimum); the figures above are what the Building Division's permit page and its online Permit Cost Estimator charge today, and the plan examiner sets the final amount.
How Do You Apply for a Shed Permit in St. Louis?
Apply online at stlcitypermits.com (homeowners can register their own account) or in person in Room 425, City Hall, with five sets of plans. The handout asks for a site plan with distances to every property line and to the house, a foundation or pier plan, a framing plan, elevations and a wall section. An owner-occupant of a one- or two-family home may draw the plans; sealed drawings are not required for owner-prepared documents. A plan examiner sits at the Hot Spot desk from 9 AM to 3 PM, and the portal says 70 percent of permits issue the same day. The permit is issued in the owner of record's name for six months, extendable in writing while work progresses.
Where Can a Shed Go?
Setbacks depend on your zoning district, which you can look up on the city's Address Search. In the A single-family district a building needs a side yard of at least 4 feet (3 feet on narrow lots of record) and no accessory building may project beyond the front yard line; garages and carports must sit within 5 feet of the alley. Zoning staff can resolve a tight side setback with a notarized maintenance agreement from the neighbor, and a denial can be appealed to the Board of Adjustment ($200). In a FEMA flood area you also need a Floodway Development Permit.
How to Get a Shed Permit in St. Louis
Measure the shed and plan the base
120 sq ft or less, under 12 ft, anchored to a 4 in slab: no building permit. Larger, taller, or wired: building permit, plus an electrical permit for the circuit.
Check zoning on Address Search
Find your district, then keep the shed behind the front yard line and off the side setback (4 ft in the A district). Order a $25 building line survey if the front line is unclear.
Draw the plans
Site plan with distances to every lot line and the house, foundation or pier plan, framing plan, elevations and wall section. An owner-occupant may draw them; no seal needed.
Apply online or at Room 425
Upload the plans at stlcitypermits.com or bring five sets to City Hall and pay the $25 application fee. The Hot Spot desk (9 AM to 3 PM) can approve small projects over the counter.
Pay, build, inspect
Pay the permit fee when approved, post the permit on site, and request each inspection at least one working day ahead. Do not cover framing before it is approved.