Bolthole Index

St. Louis County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Webster Groves, Missouri

Webster Groves, Missouri requires a building permit for most construction, and the city's Planning & Development Department issues it1. The city also sets its own zoning, including minimum lot size, coverage, height and setbacks2. The city code makes it unlawful to install a new septic tank or cesspool except as the code provides3; the county's rules cover unincorporated St. Louis County only.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction, additions, demolition and regulated systems; issued by the city4
Zoning
City zoning ordinance covers uses, lot size and width, coverage, height and setbacks2
Building permit fee
$30 + $6 per $1,000 of improvement value, minimum $35; plan review $40; $40 per inspection5
Septic
New septic tanks and cesspools are unlawful under the city code, except as the code provides3
Owner-builder
Exception for a homeowner acting as general contractor on an owner-occupied home6
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a new or structurally altered building is occupied7
Floodplain
Permit required for any construction or development in a floodplain area8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Webster Groves Planning & Development Department

Building permit applications and plan review, with zoning review, inside Webster Groves city limits

314-963-5325

[email protected]

4 E. Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 63119

Online permits →

Septic permits

St. Louis County Department of Public Health

County public health office listed as an onsite wastewater permitting authority for St. Louis County; confirm whether it applies inside Webster Groves

314-615-0600

[email protected]

6121 North Hanley Road, Berkeley, MO 63134

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Webster Groves means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Webster Groves, Missouri?

Yes, for most work. Webster Groves requires a building permit for new construction, additions, demolition or moving a structure, and installing equipment regulated by building code or city ordinance4. Permits are issued by the city, not St. Louis County, and the city's Planning & Development Department manages every application1.

Fees are published: the building permit fee is $30 plus $6 per $1,000 of improvement value, with a $35 minimum, a $40 plan review charge and $40 per inspection5. The full schedule is in City Code §20.0460.15.

A homeowner who acts as general contractor on an owner-occupied home is an exception to the city's rule that permits go only to registered contractors6.

Who issues building permits in Webster Groves, and how do you reach them?

The City of Webster Groves Planning & Development Department handles building permit applications at City Hall, 4 E. Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 631194. The permit technician is at 314-963-5325, and completed applications can be sent to [email protected]4. Applications can also be filed through the city's online permitting portal, in person, or by mail1.

St. Louis County's Codes and Ordinances office serves unincorporated land. Its building code and permit rules do not apply inside Webster Groves9.

Does Webster Groves have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Webster Groves has its own zoning ordinance, which regulates permitted land uses, minimum lot size and width, coverage, building size, heights and setbacks from property lines2. Limits differ by zoning district, so the numbers depend on the parcel's district10. The current code is on Municode, and the Planning & Development Department can tell you a parcel's district114.

We could not confirm city rules on living in an RV, tiny homes, manufactured homes, accessory dwellings or minimum dwelling size. Ask the city planner at 314-963-5325 before you buy4.

Subdividing or splitting a lot inside the city requires a plat approved under the city's subdivision regulations before it can be recorded12.

How do septic permits work in Webster Groves?

New septic systems are largely off the table. The Webster Groves code makes it unlawful to install a cesspool, septic tank or other sewage-disposal facility, except as the code provides3. We could not confirm what exceptions the city allows or how they are permitted, so ask the Planning & Development Department first4.

For onsite systems in St. Louis County generally, Missouri requires a construction permit before installing or repairing most systems, and the permitting authority must be confirmed before work begins13. The county's authority covers different areas than the city's, so confirm which applies to the address14. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is the county contact15.

Building a home in Webster Groves: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district and any floodplain overlay with the Planning & Development Department4.
  2. If the lot would be split or combined, get a plat approved first12.
  3. Prepare the building permit application and construction documents; the permit will be subject to plan review and may be subject to zoning review4.
  4. Submit online, by email, in person or by mail1.
  5. Pay the published fees and schedule inspections5.
  6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy from the city before anyone occupies a new or structurally altered building7.

What stays with St. Louis County, and what should you check before buying in Webster Groves?

Septic and well questions may involve county or state offices rather than the city. The county's septic contact is the St. Louis County Department of Public Health15, and Missouri requires a permit for most well construction or repair, though landowners may install their own well without one under the cited law16. We could not confirm any Webster Groves rule on private wells.

Check floodplain status: the city requires permits for construction or development in a floodplain area, and repairs to a building damaged by 50 percent or more of its pre-flood value trigger special conditions8.

For land outside city limits, use the St. Louis County page.

Watch-outs

  • Do not use St. Louis County's building permit and zoning rules for a Webster Groves address; the city issues its own2.
  • The city code bans new septic systems except as the code provides, and we could not confirm the exceptions, so ask the Planning & Development Department before relying on septic3.
  • We could not confirm city rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or minimum dwelling size; call 314-963-5325 before you buy4.
  • A short-term rental needs a city license under City Code §41.28517.

Sources

  1. Building Permits | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  2. Permits | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  3. The Code of Webster Groves—2024 (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  4. City of Webster Groves Planning & Development Department (webstergrovesmo.gov)
  5. Permits | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  6. Permits | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  7. The Code of Webster Groves—2024 (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  8. Flood Inspections | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 1115 - Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  10. Permits | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  11. City Code | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 50 - Subdivision of Land | Code of Ordinances | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked
  13. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  14. OWTS Construction Permit Process — St. Louis County authorities, quoted and re-checked
  15. St. Louis County Department of Public Health (stlouiscountymo.gov)
  16. Water Wells - PUB2945, quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 41 - Licensing and Regulation of Particular Businesses | Code of Ordinances | Webster Groves, MO (Webster Groves), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Webster Groves

Webster Groves’s own rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-occupied homes inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • The exception applies when a homeowner acts as general contractor on his or her owner-occupied home.
    “Exceptions are made when a homeowner acts as a general contractor on his or her owner-occupied home.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings erected or structurally altered, and vacant-land occupancy or use, inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • The certificate must comply with applicable ordinances.
    • Truck gardening and farming are excepted from the vacant-land restriction.
    “No vacant land shall be occupied or used, except for truck gardening and farming purposes, and no building hereafter erected or structurally altered shall be occupied or used until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the city in compliance with all applicable ordinances.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • The city's zoning ordinance regulates permitted land uses and dimensional controls.
    “In addition to the above, the City's Zoning Ordinance regulates the permitted uses of land, minimum lot size and width, coverage, building size, heights, and setbacks from property lines.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • The city directs users to its current codified Code of Ordinances on Municode.
    • Detailed district schedules were not extracted in this research pass.
    “The most recently codified version of the City's Code of Ordinances (through December 03, 2024) can be located online through Municode.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Specific district minimums were not extracted in the opened official material.
    “In addition to the above, the City's Zoning Ordinance regulates the permitted uses of land, minimum lot size and width, coverage, building size, heights, and setbacks from property lines.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Specific district setbacks were not extracted in the opened official material.
    “In addition to the above, the City's Zoning Ordinance regulates the permitted uses of land, minimum lot size and width, coverage, building size, heights, and setbacks from property lines.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Specific district coverage percentages were not extracted in the opened official material.
    “In addition to the above, the City's Zoning Ordinance regulates the permitted uses of land, minimum lot size and width, coverage, building size, heights, and setbacks from property lines.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Specific district height limits were not extracted in the opened official material.
    “In addition to the above, the City's Zoning Ordinance regulates the permitted uses of land, minimum lot size and width, coverage, building size, heights, and setbacks from property lines.”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Installation of cesspools, septic tanks, or other sewage-disposal facilities inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • The prohibition is subject to the ordinance's stated exception: "Except as herein provided."
    “Except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful to install any cesspool, septic tank or other facility intended for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision, re-subdivision, lot split, consolidation, and boundary adjustment of land inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Every boundary adjustment, consolidation, lot split, subdivision, or re-subdivision must be shown on a plat and submitted for approval.
    • No plat may be recorded until approved under Chapter 50.
    “This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Subdivision Regulations of the City of Webster Groves."”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Any construction or development activity in a floodplain area inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Includes repair or reconstruction of flood-damaged structures.
    • For substantially damaged buildings, repairs may not begin until compliance is demonstrated.
    • A substantially damaged building is one where repair cost is 50 percent or more of pre-flood market value.

    substantial-damage threshold: >= 50 percent of pre-flood market value (Triggers special conditions before repair.)

    “Local floodplain management ordinances require that permits be obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area, including the repair or reconstruction of structures damaged by flooding.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • City Code §41.285 requires a license and establishes fees and conditions.
    “Licenses required; fees and conditions therefor.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • The full schedule is in City Code §20.0460.1.
    • The city page lists $40 plan review, a $35 minimum permit fee, and $40 per inspection for the listed permit types.

    building permit fee: $30 + $6 per $1,000 improvement value USD (Minimum $35; plan review $40; inspections $40 each.)

    “The full permitting fee schedule can be found in Sec. 20.0460.1 of City ordinance.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Webster Groves city limits.

    • Applications are managed by the city Planning & Development Department.
    • Application may be submitted online, by email, in person, or by mail.
    • The permit is subject to plan review and may be subject to zoning review.
    “All permit applications are managed by the City of Webster Groves Planning & Development Department.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Webster Groves or St. Louis County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Webster Groves city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy in a recreational vehicle on private land inside Webster Groves city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Webster Groves city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Webster Groves city limits.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Webster Groves city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Webster Groves publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. St. Louis County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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