Missouri: Rules by state

Missouri changed the baseline on August 28, 2024: local governments generally cannot require a residential home inspection just because a property is being sold, but occupancy-permit inspections remain allowed. In practice, resale inspection rules are highly local, with many sale/occupancy requirements appearing in St. Louis-area cities and unincorporated St. Louis County, while some cities such as St. Charles state that no residential sale inspection or permit is required.

Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Official resources in Missouri

Missouri Revisor of Statutes - RSMo 436.345

State statute limiting local pre-sale home-inspection mandates while preserving exceptions for new construction and occupancy permits.

City of St. Louis - Residential Occupancy Permit

Explains when St. Louis requires a residential Certificate of Inspection and how long it stays valid.

St. Louis County - Single Family Dwelling Occupancy

Application page/form for occupancy inspection in unincorporated St. Louis County for a sale or rental change of occupancy.

University City - Occupancy Permits & Inspections FAQ

Gives sale-related inspection rules, fees, and the city's conditional occupancy permit option.

Florissant - Occupancy Inspection

Official page stating that Florissant allows an 'as is' sale, with the buyer then responsible for the occupancy inspection and permit.

Key facts for Missouri

RSMo 436.345: Since August 28, 2024, Missouri bars local governments from requiring a residential home inspection before sale, except new-construction or occupancy-permit inspections.
St. Louis city requires a Certificate of Inspection before occupancy after a residential sale if no certificate was issued within the last 12 months.
Unincorporated St. Louis County says a home sold after change of occupancy shall not be occupied until an occupancy permit is issued.
University City says anyone planning to sell a home should arrange inspection before it is marketed.
University City may issue a 60-day conditional occupancy permit when temporary compliance is allowed while work is completed.
Florissant allows an 'as is' sale, but the buyer then pays for inspection and must obtain the occupancy permit before moving in.

Cities with sale-triggered rules in Missouri

City	program	type	fee	valid	Details
Ballwin St. Louis	Occupancy Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	—	—	All occupied buildings must be inspected and certified before they can be occupied by a new resident, tenant or business.
Bellefontaine Neighbors St. Louis	Occupancy Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$125 inspection + $50 permit	—	An occupancy inspection is required when properties are offered for sale or rent.
Brentwood St. Louis	Certificate of Occupancy	interior+exterior	$45 inspection + $25 permit	—	Whenever the sale of a building results in a change in the occupant, the occupant must apply for and receive a certificate of occupancy.
Dellwood St. Louis	Inspection / Certificate of Compliance / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$75 inspection + $25 permit	6 months	The certificate of compliance is valid for 6 months, and the occupancy permit is issued only after the certificate is issued.
Ferguson St. Louis	Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	—	—	The occupancy permit application initiates inspections to verify the structure meets safety and housing standards before issuance of an occupancy certificate.
Florissant St. Louis	Occupancy Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	—	—	A property can be sold 'as is,' but then the buyer is responsible for obtaining and paying for the inspection and occupancy permit before anyone moves in.
Hazelwood St. Louis	Residential Occupancy Permit Program	interior+exterior	$75 inspection + $30 permit	90 days from issuance if use does not commence	City code enforcement officers perform interior and exterior inspections of every residential unit within the City that changes occupancy.
Jennings St. Louis	Property Registration and Inspection Request / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$50	—	The form is expressly for sale or rental properties, and the fee includes one initial inspection and one re-inspection.
Kirkwood St. Louis	Occupancy Certificate	interior+exterior	$75 single/two-family; $40 multi-family apartment/condo	—	Anyone can apply for an occupancy permit although typically a seller or landlord does so prior to a property sale or new tenant.
Maplewood St. Louis	Pre-sale Housing Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$75 single-family inspection; $30 occupancy permit	—	Before selling your home, you are required to have a pre-sale inspection done by the city.
Maryland Heights St. Louis	Residential Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	—	not transferable	An occupancy permit is required when there is any change of ownership or representation of ownership.
Moline Acres St. Louis	Occupancy Permit Inspection	interior+exterior	—	6 months	The city inspector is required to inspect properties with a proposed change in occupancy and/or ownership, and occupancy permit inspections are valid for 6 months.
Normandy St. Louis	Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$50 permit; $25 amendment	—	No occupancy will be granted until the dwelling has passed inspection by the Normandy building inspector.
Olivette St. Louis	Residential Occupancy Permit Application	interior+exterior	$95 single-family; $75 multi-family; $75 renewal	—	Requests for occupancy, including new home sales, condo sales, apartments, change in tenants, and biennial rentals must complete the application.
Overland St. Louis	Residential Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$65 inspection + $25 permit	—	The buyer or tenant completes the application, and no one may move in until the final occupancy permit has been issued.
Richmond Heights St. Louis	Code Compliance Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$65	—	The code compliance inspection application has a specific 'For Sale' option, and no occupancy permit is issued until the premises are inspected.
St. Ann St. Louis	Residential Re-Occupancy Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$95.50 inspection + $30 permit	—	St. Louis County performs the residential re-occupancy inspection, and the City of St. Ann issues the occupancy permit only after the inspection passes.
Sunset Hills St. Louis	Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$25	6 months	Sellers typically apply for the permit ahead of the sale in order to ensure that the home is ready to sell.
University City St. Louis	Residential Occupancy Inspections & Permits	interior+exterior	$80 owner-occupied inspection; $25 or $35 occupancy permit	permit good for tenure of resident	The city strongly advises homeowners to request occupancy inspections before selling, and buyers must confirm an inspection exists or apply for one first.
Webster Groves St. Louis	Occupancy Inspection / Occupancy Permit	interior+exterior	$75 inspection + $30 permit	—	A passed occupancy inspection is required prior to applying for an occupancy permit.

What to do next

Start with your exact municipality or unincorporated county, not just 'Missouri'; the rules differ block-by-block in the St. Louis region.
Before signing closing documents, ask the local building office whether the property needs an occupancy inspection, a reinspection, or qualifies for a conditional permit.
If the seller wants an 'as is' deal, confirm in writing whether the buyer can legally assume the occupancy-permit process; Florissant expressly allows that approach.

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