Understanding the St. Louis County Code Enforcement Matrix
You may have seen the “Code Enforcement by Saint Louis County – Municipality Contract Agreement Matrix” and wondered what exactly it shows—and how it affects Bellerive Acres.
What is this matrix?
This document is a county-wide snapshot showing which municipalities contract with St. Louis County for different types of code enforcement and inspection services.
Each row is a municipality (including Bellerive Acres), and each column represents a specific services such as:
• Building code enforcement
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections
• Occupancy permits
• Property maintenance
• Other regulatory services
What do the green boxes mean?
• Green boxes = That service is handled by St. Louis County
• Blank boxes = That service is handled locally by the municipality
• Letters inside boxes = Special conditions or limitations (explained in the legend at the bottom of the document)
Looking at the Bellerive Acres row, you’ll notice that Bellerive Acres uses a hybrid model—some responsibilities are contracted to the County, while others remain under local control.
Why this matters to residents
The city relies on St. Louis County for several core code enforcement and inspection services, and this matrix helps answer common questions like:
• Who issues permits?
• Who handles inspections?
• Who enforces property maintenance codes?
Depending on the type of issue, you may be working with:
• St. Louis County inspectors, or
• City officials/contractors/code eng
A note on changes
This matrix is labeled as a 2025 version, and municipalities can update their agreements over time. That means responsibilities may shift as the city adjusts how services are delivered.
Bottom line
• This is a reference tool, not a policy document
• It shows who handles what, at a high level
• It helps residents understand where to direct questions or requests
📞 Who Do I Call? 📞
🏗️ Permits & Inspections 🏗️ → Typically handled by St. Louis County
(Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical)
Use for: renovations, additions, contractor work, inspections
🏡 Occupancy Permits 🏡 → Start with Bellerive Acres (City Hall)
(Buying, Selling, or Renting a Home)
The City coordinates this process, even if inspections involve the County
🌿 Property Maintenance Concerns🌿 → Contact Bellerive Acres (City Hall)
Examples: tall grass, exterior property issues, general code concerns
🚧 Specific Project Question/Requirement 🚧 → Start with Bellerive Acres
They can direct you to the County if needed
❓Not Sure Who to Call ❓ → Reach out to Bellerive Acres first
They can route your question to the right place. Because Bellerive Acres uses a mix of local and county services, starting with the City is usually the quickest way to get pointed in the right direction.