City Home Rules

Selling a house in St. Louis, MO: what the city requires

City of St. Louis, Missouri · Last checked November 2026

Required at sale

The City of St. Louis requires a Certificate of Inspection before an occupied home is sold, unless one was issued in the last 12 months.

What St. Louis requires

Certificate of Inspection (occupancy) before sale

Who does it
City building or code enforcement inspector. Schedule it as soon as you list.
Applies to
Sale or change of occupancy of a residential property.
Exempt
Properties with a Certificate of Inspection issued within the last 12 months.

Who to call

St. Louis occupancy permit information
Official page

Housing in St. Louis

Median year homes were built
1939 or earlier
Median home value
$197,500
Owner-occupied homes
65,612 of 144,891 (45%)
Total housing units
174,111

With half the homes built before 1940, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for St. Louis city, St. Louis city, Missouri.

Need this done in St. Louis?

Get quotes from a local contractor for occupancy inspection repairs, help with repairs, or a cash offer to sell as-is. We pass your request to independent local providers. Free, no obligation.

What do you need?

How the st. louis-area occupancy inspection process works

Most municipalities in St. Louis County, and the City of St. Louis, inspect a home before it is sold or reoccupied. The new owner needs the occupancy permit, and failed items must be fixed or formally assumed by the buyer.

  1. Call the city building or code office to schedule. In spring, waits can run several weeks.
  2. Prepare for common items: smoke and CO detectors, GFCI outlets near water, handrails, trip hazards, gutters and downspouts, house numbers, and peeling paint.
  3. Fix the items on the report and pass a reinspection, or ask whether the buyer can assume them with an escrow or a signed agreement.
  4. The occupancy permit is issued to the new owner before move-in.
Typical cost ranges (estimates, not quotes)
ItemTypical range
Municipal inspection feeAbout $50 to $150
Typical repair list$200 to $3,000

Read the full st. louis-area occupancy inspection guide

If the house fails

You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.

Frequently asked questions

What does St. Louis require before I sell my house?

The City of St. Louis requires a Certificate of Inspection before an occupied home is sold, unless one was issued in the last 12 months.

What if my house fails?

You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.

Who pays, the buyer or the seller?

The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.

How old are the homes in St. Louis?

The median home in St. Louis was built in 1939 or earlier, and the median home value is $197,500, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.

Nearby: St. Louis area

Cite, link or embed this page

Agents, title companies and journalists are welcome to link to this page:

Or embed a small summary box on your website or listing page:

Sources

Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.