Asbestos removal in St. Louis
St. Louis has some of the oldest housing of any big American city. The median home in the city was built in 1938, and 58% of homes predate 1940.1 Homes that old can contain asbestos in pipe and boiler insulation, floor tile and other building materials, and EPA says you can't tell by looking.2
Housing age
86% of homes in the City of St. Louis were built before 1980.1
City rules
The City's Air Pollution Control program requires asbestos inspectors and abatement contractors to hold a City permit.3
State exemption
Missouri exempts a single residential building with four or fewer units, with exceptions.4
More St. Louis asbestos guides
Asbestos removal cost
What does asbestos removal cost in St. Louis?
What asbestos removal costs in St. Louis: national per-foot ranges, City of St. Louis notice and inspection fees, the $240 Missouri fee and County fees.
Read the guide →Asbestos testing
Asbestos testing and inspection in St. Louis
Asbestos testing in St. Louis: when to inspect, Missouri-certified and City-permitted inspectors, DNR inspection rules for regulated projects, and costs.
Read the guide →Missouri's residential exemption, and its limits
Missouri's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) treats a single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units as exempt from the state's asbestos project rules.4 That covers a typical single-family house or two-family flat. The exemption does not cover:
- Projects involving two or more residential buildings, such as a developer clearing several lots.
- Homes being converted to or from commercial use.
- Buildings used for fire training.
Exempt doesn't mean careless. DNR recommends that exempt homeowners not disturb suspect materials, have them checked by a Missouri-certified inspector or assume they contain asbestos, and keep any debris wet.5
City of St. Louis requirements
Inside city limits, the Department of Health's Air Pollution Control program handles asbestos. Under City Ordinance 65442, asbestos inspectors and abatement contractors working in the city must hold a permit from the program, and projects are reported through the City's permits website.3 The City charges its own notification fees, listed on the St. Louis cost page.
St. Louis County
In the suburbs, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health runs a separate air pollution control program. Its federal NESHAP notification form must be filed for each structure being demolished, with a $120 fee per structure; the fee does not apply to renovation projects.6
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EPA says asbestos material in good condition that won't be disturbed is usually best left alone, and repair options like sealing (encapsulation) or covering (enclosure) keep it in place.2 Removal is the right call when a renovation will disturb it, or when it is too damaged to repair. If you're not sure what you have, start with asbestos testing in St. Louis.
Hiring in St. Louis
- In the city, ask for the City APC permit. It is required for both inspectors and abatement contractors.3
- Ask for Missouri DNR registration and certification for regulated projects, and who will file any DNR or local notice.4
- Use a separate inspector if you can. EPA advises against having the firm that removes the asbestos also decide how much needs removing.2
- Get containment, wet methods and HEPA cleanup in writing, along with where the waste will be disposed of.2
Illinois suburbs like Belleville and Edwardsville follow Illinois rules, not Missouri's; ask the contractor which state's credentials they hold.
Areas we serve
We match homeowners across the St. Louis area, including these communities and ZIP codes:
- St. Louis (city)63101 · 63102 · 63103 · 63104 · 63106 · 63107 · 63108 · 63109 · 63110 · 63111 · 63112 · 63113 · 63115 · 63116 · 63118 · 63120 · 63139 · 63143 · 63147 · 63155
- University City63130
- Clayton63105
- Maplewood63143
- Webster Groves63119
- Kirkwood63122
- Brentwood63144
- Ladue63124
- Creve Coeur63141
- Maryland Heights63043 · 63146
- Chesterfield63005 · 63017
- Ballwin63011 · 63021
- Florissant63031 · 63033
- St. Charles63301 · 63303
- St. Peters63376
- O'Fallon, MO63366 · 63368
- Belleville, IL62220 · 62226
- Edwardsville, IL62025 · 62026
ZIP codes are 2020 Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, which closely approximate USPS ZIP codes. We list ZIPs that make up a substantial share of each community, so edge ZIPs that barely touch a town are left out, and some ZIPs span two towns.7 Not on the list? Send the form anyway, and we'll tell you if we can help.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to remove asbestos from my St. Louis house?
Missouri exempts a single residential building with four or fewer units from state asbestos project rules. Inside the City of St. Louis, the inspector or contractor you hire must hold a City Air Pollution Control permit, and they should know which City notifications apply.
Is a four-family flat exempt in Missouri?
A single residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units is exempt under Missouri DNR rules, unless it is being converted to or from commercial use or is part of a project involving two or more buildings.
Who regulates asbestos in St. Louis County?
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health's air pollution control program handles local asbestos notifications in the county, separate from the City of St. Louis program.
Can I remove asbestos myself in Missouri?
Exempt homeowners may, but Missouri DNR recommends not disturbing suspect material, and EPA says removal should be done only by trained, accredited professionals.
General information summarized from the public sources listed below. It isn't professional, medical or legal advice. A licensed professional who inspects your home can tell you what it needs.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034 (year structure built), B25035 (median year built) and B25003 (tenure)
- U.S. EPA, "Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos"
- City of St. Louis Department of Health, "Air Pollution Control" (asbestos notifications, permits and fees)
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources, "Asbestos"
- Missouri DNR, "Asbestos Requirements for Demolition and Renovation Projects" (PUB2157)
- St. Louis County Department of Public Health, Asbestos NESHAP Notification of Demolition and Renovation
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA-to-place and ZCTA-to-county-subdivision relationship files