Exterior Walls and Foundations:

The exterior walls and foundations should be checked for loose and deteriorating mortar, cracks or holes. The exterior walls should be watertight and maintained in a workman-like state of repair.

All cracks and holes should be sealed to prevent water from entering the building and to keep rats and insects out. It is much easier to tuckpoint a wall than rebuild it.

All exterior surfaces in need of paint or other protective coating should be painted as soon as possible to prevent deterioration from the weather.

Exterior Doors and Windows:

All windows and doors should be water and weathertight. They should be easily opened and have sound hardware. Window frames should be checked for caulking and door frames should be checked for weather stripping. All broken window panes should be replaced.

All surfaces that require painting should be painted to protect them from the weather.

Porches and Steps:

Porches and steps should be checked to determine the structural soundness of the flooring, steps, handrails and foundation.

If the porch is of frame construction, the homeowner should check for loose, flaking paint and bare, unprotected wood. If the porch is concrete the homeowner should check for spilling, cracking and deterioration.

Gutters and Downspouts:

Gutters should be free from leaves and other debris that would prevent water from flowing to the downspouts. They should also be free from rust and leaks and should be firmly affixed to the building.

Downspouts should be watertight and free from all obstructions. They must be connected to the sewer when the roof exceeds 500 square feet.

Chimneys:

The chimney should be checked for loose mortar, cracks, openings and water tightness. It should not be leaning or out of plumb. The flashing around the chimney base should be watertight, free of cracks and openings.

If the chimney and flashing are not watertight, water can leak into the house, causing dampness and damage to interior ceilings and walls.

Garages:

Private garages must be kept in good repair, their siding and trim maintained and their window areas covered by glass or boarded up. Garage doors are not required, but if they do exist, they must be kept in good condition.

Roofs:

The roof should be structurally sound, watertight and have proper drainage to prevent rainwater from leaking into the home, causing dampness in interior walls.

The homeowner should check the interior walls and ceiling for dampness or wet spots, peeling paint or wallpaper. The roof should be checked for loose or missing shingles.

Smoke Detectors:

Every residential unit must have a smoke detector installed near the sleeping area. It is the responsibility of the owner to supply, install and maintain the smoke detectors. It is the tenant's responsibility to provide and maintain functional batteries for each detector.

Fences:

There is no requirement that residential property be fenced. However, all existing fences must be maintained in a sound condition. All wooden surfaces must be painted or treated to prevent deterioration from weather. Fence posts must be firmly anchored to the ground.

There are also regulations governing heights and types of fencing.

Address Numbers:

Address numbers must be displayed on every structure in the City of St. Louis. The numbers must be affixed to both the front and rear of the building.

Graffiti:

Graffiti has a very negative impact on our neighborhoods and business districts. Therefore, it is important to remove graffiti as soon as possible from all residential and commercial buildings and fences.

Although City ordinance requires the property owner to be responsible for the removal, Operation Brightside sponsors a citywide graffiti abatement program that assists homeowners and businesses with the removal process free of charge.

With permission from the owner, professionally trained Operation Brightside crews will remove or paint over graffiti if possible. To report graffiti, call the Citizens' Service Bureau.

Questions regarding these or other building regulations may be answered by the Building Division.

Building Division
City Hall
Room 426
1200 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103-2826
Phone: 314-622-4671
Fax: 314-622-3235
Hours: 8 AM - 4:30 PM M - F Closed city holidays.