St. Louis Area Occupancy Inspection Map
Find out if a city requires an occupancy or resale inspection before a home sells or a new tenant moves in. Covers every municipality in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County. Each entry links to the official city or county source it was checked against.
Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau (current vintage), approximate. Always confirm the jurisdiction from the property tax record or with the city before ordering an inspection. Requirements change; check the linked official source and call the city to confirm fees and timing. Last full review: .
Occupancy inspection requirements by municipality
Click a city name to open it on the map. Last full review: November 10, 2026.
St. Louis City
| Municipality | Home sale | Rental | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of St. Louis | Required at sale | Yes, plus registration | Required. A Certificate of Inspection (Housing Conservation inspection) is required before a buyer or new tenant occupies. All rentals must also be registered and reinspected every 3 years. Official source |
St. Louis County
| Municipality | Home sale | Rental | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated St. Louis County | Required at sale | Yes | Required. St. Louis County inspects every home in unincorporated areas at each change of occupant, for sales and rentals. Order early: waits can run several weeks in busy months. Official source |
| Ballwin | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Homes must be inspected when listed for sale, and every new owner or tenant needs an Occupancy Permit before moving in. Official source |
| Bel-Nor | Required at sale | Yes, yearly permit | Required after closing, not before. No inspection is required before the sale, but immediately on transfer the owner must apply for a Certificate of Compliance, and no one may occupy without it. Official source |
| Bel-Ridge | Required at sale | Yes | Required before anyone moves in. An occupancy permit with a city housing inspection is needed before a home is occupied, including after a sale or for a new tenant. Official source |
| Bella Villa | Required at sale | Yes | Required. All residents must have an occupancy permit, and all inspections go through the City of Bella Villa. Official source |
| Bellefontaine Neighbors | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An Occupancy Inspection is required when a home is offered for sale or rent, and every new resident needs an Occupancy Permit. Official source |
| Bellerive Acres | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. The city's online code shows no occupancy chapter, and St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time home buyers. Call the city before listing. Official source |
| Berkeley | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Owner-occupied, for-sale and rental homes all need a city occupancy inspection and permit before the new occupant moves in. Official source |
| Beverly Hills | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. No occupancy rules are posted online. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time home buyers. Call the city before listing. Official source |
| Black Jack | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Occupancy is illegal without a city occupancy permit, which is issued only after a city inspection. Applies to purchases and rentals; conditional permits are available. Official source |
| Breckenridge Hills | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A new occupancy inspection and City Occupancy Permit are required on any change in occupancy, including a sale. St. Louis County also performs residential occupancy inspections here by contract. Official source |
| Brentwood | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An Occupancy Permit is required for every ownership change or tenant change. The city asks sellers to schedule the inspection before listing. Official source |
| Bridgeton | Required at sale | Yes | Required. On a change of ownership the seller must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (Existing Residential Structures). Rentals need a rental occupancy permit at each change of occupancy. Official source |
| Calverton Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required, with a tight deadline. The owner must apply for an inspection and certificate of compliance within 3 days after advertising the home for sale or rent. Official source |
| Champ | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. Champ has no known website. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time home buyers. Call St. Louis County at 314-615-5184. Official source |
| Charlack | Required at sale | Yes | Required. The seller must secure a certificate of compliance before selling, and every change of owner or tenant requires an inspection. Conditional permits are available. Official source |
| Chesterfield | Not required | No | Not required for homes. The city's re-occupancy permit is for commercial spaces only; existing homes do not need one when sold. Official source |
| Clarkson Valley | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. No resale or rental inspection rule is posted by the city. Call City Hall. Official source |
| Clayton | Rental only | Yes, each tenant change | Rentals only. No occupancy inspection for owner-occupant sales. Every rental needs a Residential Occupancy Permit at each tenant change, or every five years. Official source |
| Cool Valley | Required at sale | Likely; confirm | Required. Sellers need a city residential inspection; the city's form covers sales and rentals. Official source |
| Country Club Hills | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Every home, condo and townhouse needs a city inspection before sale or rental and before transfer stamps can be bought. Certificate valid 3 months. Official source |
| Country Life Acres | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. No village occupancy rules found online. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time home buyers. Official source |
| Crestwood | Rental only | Yes | Not required for owner-occupied sales. Rentals need a Residential Rental Property Re-Occupancy Permit and a passed inspection before move-in. Official source |
| Creve Coeur | Not required | Apartments only | Not required for homes or condos, for sale or rent. Apartment complexes have their own re-occupancy certificates. Official source |
| Crystal Lake Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An occupancy inspection and permit are required whenever a home is sold or rented to a new tenant. Official source |
| Dellwood | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A code compliance inspection is required for any change of ownership or occupancy, including rentals. The house must pass. Official source |
| Des Peres | Not required | Not found | Not required. Des Peres does not require municipal or fire inspections for the sale of a home. Official source |
| Edmundson | Call to confirm | Not stated | The city has an Occupancy Inspection Form ($100 as of January 1, 2026), but does not say online whether a sale triggers it. Call City Hall before listing. Official source |
| Ellisville | Required at sale | Yes | Required. The city inspects before every change of ownership or tenant, and an occupancy permit is needed for each new occupant. Official source |
| Eureka | Not required | Not found | Not required. Only new construction needs an occupancy permit in Eureka. Official source |
| Fenton | Not required | Not found | Not required for existing homes. Residential occupancy permits are only for new homes; businesses need occupancy permits. Official source |
| Ferguson | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An occupancy permit is required every time the owner, occupant or use changes. Owner-occupant buyers get an exterior inspection; rentals get interior and exterior. Official source |
| Flordell Hills | Required at sale | Yes | All residents must obtain an occupancy permit ($50). The city does not post the inspection steps online; call City Hall. Official source |
| Florissant | Required at sale | Yes | Required before anyone moves in. A home can be sold as-is without an inspection, but then the buyer must get the inspection and occupancy permit before occupying. Official source |
| Frontenac | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. The city lists an Occupancy & Tenant Use Application but does not say when it is required. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time buyers. Call the Building Department at 314-994-3200. Official source |
| Glendale | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A housing inspection is required before anyone moves into an existing home. The current owner applies, before or after closing. St. Louis County inspects. Official source |
| Grantwood Village | Required at sale | Confirm | Required. A buyer needs a St. Louis County occupancy permit before moving into a home in Grantwood Village. The county inspects whenever ownership changes. Official source |
| Green Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Whenever a sale changes the occupant or a home is rented, the new occupant must get a Certificate of Occupancy after a St. Louis County inspection. Official source |
| Greendale | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Any change in occupancy needs a St. Louis County inspection; the owner applies before the sale. New residents need a $25 occupancy permit. Official source |
| Hanley Hills | Required at sale | Yes, annual | Required. Any change of occupancy (sale, transfer, lease or rental) must be reported and inspected, and an occupancy permit issued before move-in. Single-family rentals also need an annual rental certificate. Official source |
| Hazelwood | Required at sale | Yes | Required. City code enforcement officers inspect the interior and exterior of every home that changes occupancy, under the Residential Occupancy Permit Program. Official source |
| Hillsdale | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. No village website. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time buyers. Call St. Louis County at 314-615-5184. Official source |
| Huntleigh | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. Huntleigh's certificates of occupancy cover construction only. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time buyers. Official source |
| Jennings | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An inspection and occupancy permit are needed whenever there is a new owner or new tenant. $50 includes one reinspection; valid 120 days. Official source |
| Kinloch | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. No occupancy information is posted by the city. Call City Hall. Official source |
| Kirkwood | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Every change in occupancy needs a permit and inspection. The seller (or landlord) applies; the new occupant then gets an Occupancy Certificate, needed to transfer Kirkwood utilities and enroll in Kirkwood schools. Official source |
| Ladue | Call to confirm | Not found | No residential resale occupancy inspection is listed by the city; its occupancy application is for commercial property. St. Louis County handles Ladue's residential occupancy permits only for first-time buyers. Call to confirm. Official source |
| Lakeshire | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Occupancy permits are required on any change of occupancy or ownership, after a re-occupancy inspection by Lakeshire's inspector. Official source |
| Manchester | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A municipal inspection and Occupancy Permit are required at any change of ownership or tenant. $125 includes up to 2 reinspections. Official source |
| Maplewood | Required at sale | Yes, annual | Required. A housing inspection is required whenever a home changes ownership, and every new resident needs an occupancy permit. Rentals are inspected every year. Official source |
| Marlborough | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Marlborough contracts with St. Louis County for Residential Occupancy Permits, so the county inspects at each change of occupant. Apply with the municipality first. Official source |
| Maryland Heights | Required at sale | Yes | Required before move-in, not before sale. A new owner or tenant cannot occupy until the home passes a city occupancy inspection. Most contracts make passing it a condition of closing. Official source |
| Moline Acres | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A housing inspection is needed when anyone moves in or out, plus an occupancy permit. Landlords need a rental permit and landlord license before renting. Official source |
| Normandy | Required at sale | Yes | Required. No occupancy is granted until the home passes inspection by the Normandy building inspector. Includes the former Glen Echo Park (consolidated February 8, 2024). Official source |
| Northwoods | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An occupancy permit with a city inspection is required at each change of occupancy. $125 covers the inspection and one reinspection. Official source |
| Norwood Court | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Norwood Court contracts with St. Louis County for Residential Occupancy Permits, so the county inspects at each change of occupant. Apply with the municipality first. Official source |
| Oakland | Not required | No | Not required. Oakland requires no occupancy permit or city inspection when a new owner moves into an existing home. Official source |
| Olivette | Required at sale | Yes, call for steps | Required. A municipal inspection is required before new occupants move in after a sale. Usually ordered by the seller. Valid 30 days if occupied, 60 days if vacant. Official source |
| Overland | Required at sale | Yes | Required. The buyer or tenant applies for a Residential Occupancy Permit, and the home must pass a city inspection before the permit is issued. Official source |
| Pacific | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Buying, selling or renting in Pacific needs a City Inspector's inspection before the occupancy permit is issued. Most of Pacific is in Franklin County. Official source |
| Pagedale | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Owners or agents first get an interior inspection from St. Louis County, then Pagedale does an exterior inspection; the occupancy permit is issued after both pass. Official source |
| Pasadena Hills | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. The city's website covers permits for work and historic review but not occupancy inspections. Call City Hall. Official source |
| Pasadena Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Pasadena Park contracts with St. Louis County for Residential Occupancy Permits, so the county inspects at each change of occupant. Apply with the municipality first. Official source |
| Pine Lawn | Required at sale | Yes | Required. New occupants need a city inspection and an occupancy permit. Passed inspections are good for 180 days. Official source |
| Richmond Heights | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Owners and agents must apply for a Code Compliance Inspection whenever a change of occupancy occurs, and a certificate must be issued before the new occupant moves in. Official source |
| Riverview | Rental only | Yes | Rental property needs a permit before anyone occupies it or it is offered for rent. A sale requirement for owner-occupants was not confirmed online; call the city. Official source |
| Rock Hill | Required at sale | Yes | Rock Hill runs a residential occupancy inspection program, and St. Louis County lists it as contracted for Residential Occupancy Permits. Confirm timing with the city before listing. Official source |
| Shrewsbury | Required at sale | Yes | Required. It is unlawful to sell a home without an inspection or with violations. As-is sales need the buyer to sign an affidavit taking responsibility for repairs. Official source |
| St. Ann | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Since May 2023, St. Louis County performs St. Ann's re-occupancy inspections. After it passes, the new owner or tenant gets the occupancy permit at City Hall. Official source |
| St. John | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Every dwelling must have an occupancy inspection before anyone new occupies it, and the new occupants need an occupancy permit. Official source |
| Sunset Hills | Required at sale | Yes, plus registry | Required. An Occupancy Permit is needed whenever occupancy is established or changed. Sellers usually apply ahead of the sale. Flat $25 fee. Official source |
| Sycamore Hills | Required at sale | Yes | Required. All homes and duplexes must be inspected on re-occupancy, and an occupancy permit is required. Official source |
| Town and Country | Not required | No | Not required. Residential occupancy permits are not required when new owners or renters move into an existing home; only new houses need one. Official source |
| Twin Oaks | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Twin Oaks contracts with St. Louis County for Residential Occupancy Permits, so the county inspects at each change of occupant. Apply with the municipality first. Official source |
| University City | Required at sale | Yes, every new tenant | Required. Every change of occupants needs a permit to occupy after a city inspection. The city strongly advises sellers to get the inspection before selling. Rentals need it before every new tenant. Official source |
| Uplands Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required. No one may occupy a building until the Village Building Commissioner inspects and an occupancy permit is issued. Official source |
| Valley Park | Required at sale | Likely; confirm | Valley Park runs residential occupancy inspections ($75) and issues occupancy certificates ($25). The city does not post the exact trigger online, so confirm with City Hall before listing. Official source |
| Velda City | Required at sale | Yes | Required. No one may occupy a building until the City Building Commissioner inspects and an occupancy permit is issued. City code also requires disclosing the permit requirement to buyers. Official source |
| Velda Village Hills | Required at sale | Yes | Required. City code requires work and occupancy permits with inspections; realtors and owners must check with City Hall for unpaid fees before ordering the St. Louis County inspection. Official source |
| Vinita Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required. City code requires an occupancy permit to occupy a residence; the city provides a Residential Inspection Request and a Residential Occupancy Permit Application. Official source |
| Warson Woods | Call to confirm | Not found | The city has an Occupancy Permit Application but does not post when it is required. St. Louis County handles its residential occupancy permits only for first-time buyers. Call City Hall at 314-965-3100. Official source |
| Webster Groves | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A passed occupancy inspection is needed before anyone can apply for the occupancy permit, and a permit is required before moving into any home. Official source |
| Wellston | Call to confirm | Rental license | Not confirmed. The city lists rental licenses and zoning occupancy rules but no resale inspection steps online. Call City Hall. Official source |
| Westwood | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Westwood contracts with St. Louis County for Residential Occupancy Permits, so the county inspects at each change of occupant. Apply with the municipality first. Official source |
| Wilbur Park | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Wilbur Park contracts with St. Louis County for Residential Occupancy Permits, so the county inspects at each change of occupant. Apply with the municipality first. Official source |
| Wildwood | Rental only | Yes | Not required for owner-occupied homes. Residential occupancy permits are only required for non-owner-occupied (rental) homes, with the inspection done by St. Louis County. Official source |
| Winchester | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Every change of occupancy or ownership needs a housing inspection (done by Ballwin under contract), and new occupants need a Winchester occupancy permit before moving in. Official source |
| Woodson Terrace | Required at sale | Yes | Required whenever a home is vacated and someone new moves in, including after a sale or for a new tenant. Inspection good for one year or until someone moves in. Official source |
St. Charles County
| Municipality | Home sale | Rental | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated St. Charles County | Not required | Multi-family only | No occupancy inspection for single-family or two-family home sales, unless the county previously declared the home uninhabitable. Apartments and other multi-family buildings need an occupancy permit on any change of ownership or tenancy. Official source |
| Augusta | Not required | Short-term rentals only | No residential resale or rental occupancy inspection found. The town's occupancy application is for businesses, through the Augusta Fire Protection District. Official source |
| Cottleville | Required at sale | Yes | Required. Buying, selling, leasing or renting a home all need an approved city occupancy inspection before the new resident moves in. Official source |
| Dardenne Prairie | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A Life, Health and Safety Occupancy Certificate must be issued before any home is occupied or re-occupied, including after a sale or for a new tenant. Official source |
| Flint Hill | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection found on the city website. Call City Hall to confirm. Official source |
| Foristell | Required at sale | Yes | Required. An occupancy inspection is required for every existing structure on any change in ownership, tenancy or occupancy. Official source |
| Josephville | Call to confirm | Not found | No village occupancy inspection program found. Call the village to confirm. |
| Lake Saint Louis | Rental only | Yes, every tenant change | No city inspection for home sales. Rentals must be inspected and registered, with a new inspection at every tenant change. The fire district may require a home sale inspection. Official source |
| New Melle | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection found on the city website or in its online code. Call City Hall to confirm. Official source |
| O'Fallon | Rental only | Yes, each new occupancy | No city occupancy inspection for owner-occupant home sales. Rental units need a rental occupancy permit and inspection before each new occupancy. Official source |
| Portage des Sioux | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found. Call the city to confirm. |
| St. Charles (city) | Rental only | Yes, every tenant change | No city occupancy inspection for owner-occupant home sales. Long-term rentals need an approved inspection before the first tenant and between every tenant change. Official source |
| St. Paul | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found on the city website. Building inspections are contracted to Choinka Municipal Services. Call to confirm before closing. Official source |
| St. Peters | Rental only | Yes, every change of occupant | No occupancy inspection when an owner-occupied home sells. Any home or apartment occupied by someone other than the owner on record needs a re-occupancy inspection and occupancy permit at each change of occupancy. Official source |
| Weldon Spring | Not required | No | No resale occupancy inspection. The city contracts with St. Charles County for building and code enforcement, and the county does not inspect single-family home sales. Official source |
| Weldon Spring Heights | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found for this small town. Call to confirm. |
| Wentzville | Rental only | Yes, every tenant change | No occupancy inspection when an existing home sells. Rentals need a passed occupancy inspection every time the tenant changes. Official source |
| West Alton | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found. Call the city to confirm. |
Jefferson County
| Municipality | Home sale | Rental | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Jefferson County | Not required | No | No resale or change-of-tenant occupancy inspection program found for existing homes in unincorporated Jefferson County. Official source |
| Arnold | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A Certificate of Compliance (property maintenance inspection) is required before a home is sold, transferred, mortgaged or leased. Valid 6 months. Official source |
| Byrnes Mill | Required at sale | Confirm | Required before a home sale. The approved inspection report is good for 6 months, and the buyer uses it to get the Occupancy Permit. Official source |
| Cedar Hill Lakes | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
| Crystal City | Required at sale | Yes | Required. The city does occupancy inspections for new homeowners and for rentals, and it is a required step to get water service. Official source |
| De Soto | Required at sale | Confirm | Required. A house being sold gets a Certificate of Occupancy only after a city inspection and all code requirements are met. Official source |
| Festus | Required at sale | Yes | Required. A house being sold gets a Certificate of Occupancy only after a city inspection and all code requirements are met. Rentals also get certificates. Official source |
| Herculaneum | Required at sale | Yes | Required. City code requires a new occupancy permit every time ownership or occupancy changes, and the City Building Official inspects before move-in ($30). Official source |
| Hillsboro | Call to confirm | Not found | Not confirmed. The city's building department page lists no resale occupancy inspection. Call City Hall at (636) 797-3334. Official source |
| Kimmswick | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
| Lake Tekakwitha | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
| Olympian Village | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
| Parkdale | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
| Peaceful Village | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
| Pevely | Required at sale | Yes | Required. No one may move in, including furniture, until the city issues a certificate of occupancy after an inspection. Official source |
| Scotsdale | Call to confirm | Not found | No occupancy inspection program found online for this small municipality. Call to confirm before closing. |
Common questions
What is an occupancy inspection?
It is a city or county inspection done when a home sells or a new occupant moves in. The inspector checks basic safety and property maintenance items such as smoke detectors, handrails, electrical hazards, plumbing leaks and exterior condition. Many cities issue an occupancy permit or certificate once the home passes. It is not the same as a buyer's home inspection, which is far more detailed.
Does the buyer or the seller order it?
In most St. Louis area cities the seller applies and pays for the inspection, and the buyer then applies for the occupancy permit in their name. Some cities handle both in one step. Check the entry for the city on this map and confirm with the city.
How early should we order it?
Order it when the listing is signed. Scheduling can take several weeks during busy months, and failed items need a reinspection. Waiting until after a contract is signed is the most common cause of delayed closings.
The mailing address says one city, but the map shows another. Which is right?
The city in a mailing address is a post office name and often does not match the municipality that has jurisdiction. Use the municipality on the property tax record (St. Louis County Revenue, St. Charles County Assessor or Jefferson County Assessor) or call the city. This map uses Census boundaries, which can lag recent annexations.
What if repairs cannot be finished before closing?
Many cities allow a temporary or conditional occupancy permit, sometimes with an escrow or a signed agreement where the buyer takes responsibility for the repairs. Rules and deadlines differ by city, so ask the city before writing it into a contract.
Is an occupancy inspection the same as a home inspection?
No. A municipal occupancy inspection checks minimum code and safety items for the city. A home inspection is a detailed evaluation of the whole house for the buyer or seller. A pre-listing home inspection can catch items the city will flag before the city inspector arrives.
How current is this information?
Every entry was checked against the official city or county source shown in its details, on the date listed. Fees and procedures change, so confirm with the city before relying on them. If you spot something out of date, call or text SafeSpec at (314) 375-6014 and we will update it.