Historical April 1979 reproduction from Saint Louis Guide for Housing and Property Maintenance. The permit rules, thresholds and contacts are period material, not current legal or building-code guidance.
The necessity of a permit is governed by the Basic Building Code, Section 113.1 which states: “IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL TO CONSTRUCT, ENLARGE, ALTER, MAKE NON-ORDINARY REPAIRS, TO REMOVE OR DEMOLISH ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE: Or change the occupancy of a structure from one use group to another requiring greater strength, exitway or sanitary provisions; or to change to a prohibited use; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this Code; or to use explosives for blasting in connection with demolition. excavation, construction or other building operation, WITHOUT FIRST FILING AN APPLICATION WITH THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AND OBTAINING A PERMIT THEREFORE”.
Obtaining a Building Permit is usually handled by your contractor.
Always see that your contractor obtains all the necessary permits and makes them available to you. A Building Permit must be obtained before any construction work begins. If the contractor fails to obtain the permits; you may apply for the permit yourself. Even if you do not plan to do the work yourself, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING A BUILDING PERMIT. And here, the Building Inspector and the services of the Division of Building and Inspection can be especially helpful with advice on safety and sound construction. Before proceeding on your own and you start tearing down walls or digging foundations, contact your District Building Inspector and/or Building Permit Office, Room 426, City Hall.
NOTE: Usually a Building Permit for home improvements can be issued on the same day that an application is received. This of course, depends upon the nature of the work to be done, the quality of the plans you submit, and compliance with the District Zoning and Building Code regulations.
1. New structures of any description, including main buildings, garages, car ports, attached porches, sun decks, room additions, and extensions or enlargements of existing rooms.
2. Work which involves the installation, removal or cutting of any structural beam, joint replacements, or bearing support, foundations and footing repair and/or replacement, underpinning or shoring of structure.
3. Any work that changes the class by the type of material, for construction of the building.
4. Conversion of basement or below grade space to living quarters (such as bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, etc.).
5. Conversion of “attic” space to living quarters (as noted above).
6. Partitioning of any existing habitable space.
7. Entire new roof, when not a replacement of like material.
8. New siding over 25% coverage.
9. Accessory buildings such as tool sheds over thirty-five (35) square feet in floor area and over 5’0″ in height, measured from grade to the highest point.
10. Cabannas and “play houses” over thirty-five (35) square feet in floor area and over 5’0″ in height, measured from grade to the highest point.
11. Swimming pools more than 24 inches deep (water depth), or more than 30 inches wall height, and with a surface area of 250 square feet or more, or all pools that involve structural work and/or supports, and all pools that have a permanently equipped water circulating system.
12. New fences of any type. Replacement of existing fencing, over 20 lineal feet.
13. Retaining walls over 18 inches high.
14. Repair or removal of vacant and vandalized buildings and/or garages, or removal of any building or structure.
Electrical permit work
1. Electrical work requiring new wiring for branch circuits.
2. Main incoming service, from Union Electric pole up to and including service panel.
3. New service panel or auxiliary switch boxes from main service.
4. Installation of electrical equipment that requires new branch circuits, increases in size, or rerouting of existing feeders.
Mechanical permit work
1. Residential elevators, stair lifts, and dumbwaiters.
2. Work requiring replacement of furnace or boiler (to be coordinated with Air Pollution Control).
3. Air conditioning systems of all types. (Window units, incremental or “thru-the-wall” units, or any portable units, are exempt. However, any and all units must be installed in accord with Code requirements).
4. Extension and alteration of existing duct work, or any new duct work for existing systems.
Plumbing permit work
1. Addition to, alteration of, or replacement of: Main water supply service from street main to structure.
2. Main house sewer from street connection to building wall.
3. Main soil, waste, vent, or similar piping within the structure.
4. Installation of new plumbing fixtures of any description which requires any change or rearrangement in water supply piping or drain and vent piping.
5. Installation of new domestic hot water heaters of any description. (To be coordinated with Air Pollution Control).
Original photograph caption
Original permits illustration. The Paper, April 1979, page 6. Artist not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, April 1979.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1979_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
