St. Louis

Ordinance Administration

The Building Division’s Department of Public Safety administers the facade ordinance for the City of St. Louis. The department is located at City Hall, 1200 Market Street, Room 401, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2826. The Building Code of the City of St. Louis is the International Building Code, 2018 Edition with changes, including Appendix Chapters E, F, G, H, I and J; as stipulated in City Ordinance 70794.

Buildings Requiring Inspection

Exterior cantilevered balconies, stairways and fire escapes shall be inspected every three (3) years by a Missouri licensed design professional. The owner shall submit a report bearing the seal, signature and date of a Missouri licensed professional engineer or architect to the building official describing the condition and safety of the exterior cantilevered balconies, stairways, and fire escapes. This shall apply to all exterior cantilevered balconies, stairways, and fire escapes on all buildings regardless of stories or height.

Cornices, Entablatures, Belt Courses, Trim and Similar Decorative Features; Maintenance repair and safe condition thereof (for such items projecting from the face of buildings); shall be inspected every 3 years. (Applies to all buildings over five (5) stories or sixty (60) feet in height. Owners to submit report bearing the seal, signature and date of a Missouri licensed Professional Engineer or Architect to the building official every three (3) years describing the condition and safety of cornices, entablatures, belt courses, etc. The building official shall waive inspection if feature does not encroach over City of Saint Louis sidewalk, street or alley.)