St. Louis City is independent from St. Louis County (separate since 1876). City addresses: Building Division, 1200 Market St, Room 426. Missouri has no statewide building code. 70% of permits issued same-day; Hot Spot Desk Mon & Wed 9am–3pm for immediate review. Online portal launched March 2026.
St. Louis kitchen remodel permit rules
The 2018 IRC cosmetic exemption covers countertops, cabinets, tile, and same-location appliance replacement — no permit needed. Moving the sink (plumbing permit, 2021 UPC), adding gas (mechanical permit, Spire manages meter), new circuits (electrical permit, 2017 NEC), or removing a wall (building permit) each require the corresponding permits. Missouri-licensed contractors perform all permitted trade work. The Hot Spot Desk can process most residential kitchen permit scopes same-day.
St. Louis's wood-frame floor system is a key kitchen advantage: drain relocation connects to the cast-iron stack from the basement — no slab cutting, unlike Chandler or Reno. Galvanized steel supply pipes in pre-1960 homes (narrowed by decades of corrosion) should be replaced with copper or PEX when walls are open. Spire manages the gas meter; interior gas piping is covered by the mechanical permit.
Three St. Louis kitchen remodel scenarios
| Kitchen Work | Permit? | Est. Fees | St. Louis Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertops, tile, cabinet repaint | No permit | $0 | Pre-1978: EPA RRP if demolition involved |
| Same-location appliance swap | No permit | $0 | Replace aging gas connectors proactively |
| Sink relocation | Plumbing permit | ~$100–$200 | Basement access; cast-iron stack connection; 2021 UPC |
| Gas line extension | Mechanical permit | ~$100–$200 | Spire manages meter; permit covers interior |
| New countertop circuits | Electrical permit | ~$100–$200 | Two 20-amp + GFCI; 2017 NEC; Ameren MO |
| Wall removal | Building permit | ~$150–$300 | Historic districts: Cultural Resources first |
St. Louis kitchen remodel context
The city's revitalizing neighborhoods — Soulard, Lafayette Square, Tower Grove, the Central West End, Benton Park — are seeing active kitchen renovation as homeowners restore exceptional Victorian housing stock. Three constraints shape every St. Louis kitchen remodel: lead paint (EPA RRP compliance for contractors in pre-1978 homes), aging systems (galvanized supply pipes, cast-iron drains, older gas fittings), and for some neighborhoods, historic district review. The basement-access advantage for plumbing work makes the actual trade permit scope simpler here than in slab-construction markets.
What the inspector checks
Plumbing rough-in (2021 UPC): drain slope, trap, vent, supply. Electrical rough-in (2017 NEC): GFCI at countertop circuits within 6 ft of sink, two 20-amp minimum. Mechanical: gas pressure test. Building (wall removal): header and framing. Hot Spot Desk for same-day. Call 314-622-3315.
What a kitchen remodel costs in St. Louis
Cosmetic refresh: $13,000–$24,000. Moderate renovation with layout changes: $28,000–$55,000. Full gut renovation: $38,000–$75,000. Permit fees: $200–$550.
Does replacing kitchen countertops require a permit in St. Louis?
No — 2018 IRC cosmetic exemption covers countertop replacement. Same-location sink reconnection also exempt. Plumbing changes require a permit. Call 314-622-3315 for borderline scopes.
How does Spire Gas work for St. Louis kitchen gas modifications?
Spire manages the gas main, service line, and meter. Interior gas piping from the meter to appliances is covered by the city mechanical permit and a licensed contractor. Standard kitchen gas line extensions need no separate Spire contact. For new gas service to an all-electric property, contact Spire at spire.com first.
Does St. Louis have slab floors or basement access for kitchen plumbing?
Most pre-1960 St. Louis homes have wood-frame floors with full basement access — no slab. Drain relocation connects to the cast-iron stack from below. No concrete cutting — a major advantage vs. slab-construction cities like Chandler and Reno.
Is galvanized steel supply pipe a concern in St. Louis kitchens?
Yes — many pre-1960 homes have galvanized supply pipes narrowed by decades of corrosion. A kitchen remodel that opens walls is a practical opportunity to replace with copper or PEX. The licensed plumber should assess condition and include replacement in their proposal.
What is the two-20-amp-circuit requirement for St. Louis kitchens?
The 2017 NEC requires a minimum of two 20-amp small appliance branch circuits serving kitchen countertop receptacles. Many older St. Louis homes have only one 15-amp circuit. Any electrical permit work in the kitchen triggers inspector verification. Upgrade cost: $800–$2,000 for two circuits.
Do I need Cultural Resources review for a kitchen remodel?
For interior-only kitchen remodels, typically no. If remodel involves exterior changes (new window, visible ventilation penetrations) in a historic district, Cultural Resources (314-657-3865) may need to review those elements. Contact them if your property is in a historic district.
General guidance based on publicly available municipal sources as of April 2026. City of St. Louis uses 2018 IRC. Pre-1978 homes: EPA RRP Rule applies. Verify at 314-622-3315. For a personalized report, use our permit research tool.
Phone: 314-622-3315 (Hot Spot Desk: Mon–Wed 9am–3pm)
Hours: M–Th 8am–4:30pm, F 8am–4pm
Online: stlouis-mo.gov/building/permits
Codes: 2018 IRC · 2017 NEC · 2021 UPC · 2018 IECC
Cultural Resources: 314-657-3865 · Spire: spire.com · Ameren MO: ameren.com
Missouri One Call: 800-344-7483