Bolthole Index

St. Louis County, Missouri

Zoning, building permits and septic in Velda City, Missouri

Velda City, Missouri (St. Louis County) runs its own zoning, with an A residential district and a B commercial district1. Building permits inside city limits come from the city's Board of Aldermen, not the county2. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Velda City; St. Louis County's Department of Public Health is the office to ask3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the Board of Aldermen2
Zoning
City zoning: A residential and B commercial districts1
Building code
St. Louis County construction codes, adopted by the city4
Maximum height
2 stories in both districts56
Short-term rentals
Prohibited in both districts78
Septic
Unconfirmed inside city limits; county health department is the office to ask3

Who to call

Building permits

Velda City City Hall (Board of Aldermen)

Building permits, inspections and zoning inside Velda City city limits

2560 Lucas & Hunt Road

Septic permits

St. Louis County Department of Public Health

Onsite wastewater (septic) permitting in St. Louis County; confirm whether it covers an address inside Velda City

(314) 615-0600

administration.doh@stlouisco.com

6121 N Hanley Rd, 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 Velda City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Velda City have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. Velda City adopts and administers its own zoning chapter, which divides the city into an A residential district and a B commercial district1. The district map is kept on file with the city clerk9.

In the A district, lots may not be reduced below the lot areas that existed when the chapter was written, and existing building lines must be followed1011. No building over 2 stories is allowed in the A district, and a new building has to match its neighbors in height5. The B district also caps buildings at 2 stories6.

Short-term rentals are prohibited in single-family homes in the A district and in the B district78. Tourist camps and trailer camps are prohibited in the B district12.

We could not confirm any rule on living in an RV, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings in Velda City. Ask City Hall before buying13.

Do you need a building permit in Velda City, and who issues it?

Yes. Inside Velda City, erecting, altering, enlarging or repairing a building, or building a masonry or concrete retaining wall, requires a permit from the city's Board of Aldermen2. The county's building permit rules apply to unincorporated St. Louis County, not to land inside Velda City14.

The application is made in writing to the board15. The city's code limits permits to residences, churches, public libraries, schools, garages, subsidiary buildings and retaining walls, with one residence per lot2. A permit lapses if work is not started or finished within 1 year15.

The published fee is $50 for up to the first $500 of construction cost and $100 for up to the second $500, then $10 for each further part of $1,000; a separate schedule of fees was not located16. Buildings must be inspected before being covered in, and the fee paid first17. The city has adopted the St. Louis County construction codes, including the 2015 International Building Code, as its own4.

How do septic permits work inside Velda City?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Velda City, because the city's code pages we read contain no septic rule13. Statewide, a construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater systems, though some single-family lots may be exempt18.

In St. Louis County, the Missouri health department lists the county Plumbing Department and the county Department of Public Health as the ordinance authorities, and incorporated areas may be handled differently3. Call the St. Louis County Department of Public Health19 and ask whether your address inside Velda City is sewered or needs a septic permit.

Building a home in Velda City: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's district (A residential or B commercial) with the city clerk, who keeps the district map9.
  2. Check height, lot area and building-line rules for the district105.
  3. Apply in writing to the Board of Aldermen for a building permit and file plans15.
  4. Pay the permit fee16.
  5. Have the work inspected before it is covered in17.
  6. Ask the county health department about sewer or septic for the address3.

The city's code also lists an occupancy permit chapter that we could not locate, so ask City Hall whether one is needed before you move in13.

What stays with St. Louis County, and what should you check before you buy?

For land outside city limits, the county has its own rules; see the St. Louis County page. Inside Velda City, the county's role is mainly septic and wells. A Missouri water-well installation permit is required to construct or repair a water well20.

Floodplain rules matter in parts of the county. Construction in a flood hazard area can require floodplain review21, though the county's own floodplain district rules are written for unincorporated land22. Ask City Hall whether a lot sits in a flood zone.

County figures: St. Louis County's effective property tax rate is23%, with a median property tax bill of $3,193 a year24.

Watch-outs

  • Velda City's code also keeps older permit provisions (Chapter 500) alongside the adopted county codes, and we could not confirm how the two fit together; ask City Hall which applies to your project4.
  • Septic authority inside city limits is unconfirmed; the Missouri state page notes incorporated areas may be handled differently3.

Sources

  1. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Velda City Code Chapter 500 Building Provisions, Article I (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  3. OWTS Construction Permit Process — St. Louis County authorities, quoted and re-checked
  4. Velda City Code Chapter 505 County Codes (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  5. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  9. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  10. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  11. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  12. Velda City Code Chapter 405 Zoning (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  13. Velda City City Hall (Board of Aldermen) (veldacity.org)
  14. Chapter 1115 - Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  15. Velda City Code Chapter 500 Building Provisions, Article I (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Velda City Code Chapter 500 Building Provisions, Article I (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  17. Velda City Code Chapter 500 Building Provisions, Article I (eCode360) (Velda City), quoted and re-checked
  18. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. St. Louis County Department of Public Health (stlouiscountymo.gov)
  20. Water Wells - PUB2945, quoted and re-checked
  21. Residential Above Ground Swimming Pool Checklist and Guide for a Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  22. Bill No. 82, 2022 — Section 1003.101 FP Flood Plain District Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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 Velda City

Velda City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erecting, altering, enlarging or repairing a building or structure inside Velda City city limits, and erecting a masonry, tile or concrete retaining wall there.

    • Permit is issued by the Board of Aldermen (section 500.010).
    • Section 500.070 limits permits to residences, churches, public libraries, schools, garages, subsidiary buildings or retaining walls, with one residence per lot and two-story maximum for a residence.
    • Work may proceed only after the permit issues; a permit is void if work does not start or finish within one year (section 500.040(c)).
    “no person, firm or corporation shall erect, alter, enlarge or repair any building or structure intended to be used for the shelter, support or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels, nor wreck or remove such building; nor erect any retaining wall constructed of masonry tile or concrete within velda city, st. louis county, missouri, without first obtaining permit authorizing same from the board of aldermen of the said city.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction in Velda City city limits. Velda City adopts the St. Louis County construction and property codes as its own codes.

    • The adoption is through the St. Louis County codes as amended by St. Louis County 'through date of last amendatory ordinances'; the city's copy is on file with the city clerk.
    • Adopted editions listed on the page: 2015 IBC, 2015 IEBC, 2015 IRC, a mechanical code (ch. 1108 SLCRO 27,619, as amended), 2015 IPMC, plumbing code (ch. 1103 SLCRO 27,424, as amended), 2014 NEC, and the county explosives code.
    • Chapter 500 (1940-era permit provisions) also remains in the code and was not reconciled with the adopted codes in this pass.
    “the 2015 edition of the international code council (icc) building code as adopted by st. louis county in county ordinance 27,654 and approved december 18, 2019, one (1) copy which is on file in the office of the city clerk, is hereby adopted as the city of velda city building code, as is fully set out herein.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings, partitions and structures inside Velda City city limits before concealment by lathing, plastering, sheathing or other covering.

    • The owner, agent or builder must notify the board in writing when a building is ready for inspection.
    • Inspection fee must be paid before the inspection (section 500.050).
    • Section 500.120(d) sets inspection fees: twenty-five dollars per inspection needed for a work/building permit (section 500.120(d)).
    “no building, partition, or structure shall be covered in by lathing, plastering, sheathing, or otherwise, until it shall have first been inspected by the board or their duly authorized agent, and the fee for said inspection shall have been paid.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Velda City city limits. Velda City adopts and administers its own zoning chapter (Chapter 405, Zoning), which divides the city into an 'A' residential district and a 'B' commercial district.

    • The zoning map is kept on file with the city clerk and is part of the chapter.
    • Single-family occupancy in the 'A' district is limited to persons living as a single housekeeping unit.
    • Chapter 405 sections 405.050 through 405.080 were not opened in this research pass.
    “velda city is hereby divided into districts of which there shall be two (2) known as: 1. "a" residential district. 2. "b" commercial district.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Land inside Velda City city limits: the 'A' residential and 'B' commercial districts.

    • District boundaries are shown on a zoning district map kept on file with the city clerk; the map itself was not opened in this research pass.
    “the boundaries of such districts are shown upon the map, which is on file in the office of the city clerk, being designated as the district map”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    'A' residential district inside Velda City city limits only.

    • No numeric minimum lot area is stated. The rule is that lots may not be reduced below the lot areas that existed when the chapter was written (present existing lots, including front and rear yards).
    • Section 405.010(b)(4) also says no lot area may be reduced so that yards or open spaces become smaller than the chapter prescribes.
    “lot areas in said "a" residential district shall not be less than present existing lots, including front and rear yards.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    'A' residential district inside Velda City city limits only.

    • The chapter does not state numeric front, side or rear yard depths in the text read; it requires that existing building lines be followed.
    • Yards are referenced in section 405.010(b)(3) and (4) but not given numeric values in the sections read.
    “all existing building lines shall be strictly adhered to.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    'A' residential district inside Velda City city limits only.

    • New structures must conform in height to adjoining existing buildings: no two-story residence may be built next to a one-story residence, or the reverse.
    • Section 405.020(a)(8) applies this matching rule.

    maximum building height: <= 2 stories

    “no building or structure exceeding two (2) stories in height shall be permitted within said "a" residential district.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — 'B' commercial district inside Velda City city limits only.
      “structures and buildings erected in said "b" commercial district may be either one (1) story or two (2) stories in height but in no event shall exceed two (2) stories in height.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    'B' commercial district inside Velda City city limits. Tourist camps and trailer camps are prohibited there.

    • No rule found for camping in the 'A' residential district in the sections read.
    “no tourist camp, trailer camp or short-term rental of a building or single-family residence housing structure of whatever kind or description shall be permitted within said "b" residential district.”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Single-family residences in the 'A' residential district inside Velda City city limits.

    • Amended by Ord. No. 712 (11-26-2019) and Ord. No. 405.2 (4-27-2021) as shown on the code page.
    “no single-family residence in said "a" residential district shall be permitted to be used nor occupied as a rooming house, lodging house (with or without meals) or short-term rentals of housing.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Prohibited — Buildings and single-family residence housing structures in the 'B' commercial district inside Velda City city limits.
      “no tourist camp, trailer camp or short-term rental of a building or single-family residence housing structure of whatever kind or description shall be permitted within said "b" residential district.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building permits issued by Velda City inside its city limits.

    • Fee in section 500.020(b) is the fee stated in the code; section 500.120(f) directs the building commissioner to update a separate 'schedule of fees', which was not located.
    • Section 500.120(d) sets building commissioner inspection fees: $200 house inspection, $125 apartment inspection, $60 reinspection, $25 per work/building permit inspection.

    permit fee, first $500 of construction cost: 50 USD · permit fee, second $500 of construction cost: 100 USD · permit fee per $1,000 thereafter: 10 USD (for any part of $1,000 beyond the first $1,000 of construction cost)

    “the fee for a building permit as required herein shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) for up to the first (1st) five hundred dollars ($500.00) of the construction cost, one hundred dollars ($100.00) for up to the second (2nd) five hundred dollars ($500.00) of the construction cost, and ten dollars ($10.00) for any part of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) thereafter.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit application and approval inside Velda City city limits.

    • Application must be in writing, signed by the owner or agent, and filed with the board of aldermen.
    • Plans and specifications must be filed and the board stamps approved plans (section 500.040(a)).
    • A permit lapses if work is not begun or completed within one year (section 500.040(c)).

    permit validity period: 1 year

    “application for permit shall be made in writing to the board.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing their own home inside Velda City city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new or altered buildings inside Velda City city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Velda City city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Velda City city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Velda City city limits.
13 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Velda City 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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