Pool permits in Lake Saint Louis, MO
The City of Lake Saint Louis Building Division issues pool permits and does inspections. The city's Unified Development Code sets pool location, fence, screening, and lighting rules, and the city publishes its own pool checklist.
- Permit from
- City of Lake Saint Louis
- Permit fee
- $125 min. (0.6% of cost) + plan review
- Pool fence
- 4 to 6 ft
Permits an inground pool needs in Lake Saint Louis
- Swimming pool building permit from City of Lake Saint Louis Building Division. The Building Division says permits are required for pools, fences, decks, and similar structures. Apply and request inspections through the Citizenserve portal. Contractors need a City business license. Permits for pools and other exterior improvements expire six months after issuance (City Code Section 500.010).
- Fence permit from City of Lake Saint Louis Building Division. The Building Division page lists fences as needing a permit.
Pool fence and barrier rules in Lake Saint Louis
- Fence height: Zoning fence table for rear and side yards enclosing a pool: maximum height 6 feet, minimum 4 feet. The 2021 ISPSC requires at least 48 inches above grade.
- Gates: The city pool checklist requires self-closing, self-latching gates that swing outward, away from the pool. The 2021 ISPSC also requires a latch release reachable from outside to be at least 54 inches high at residential pools.
- Doors and windows from the house: The city pool checklist requires audible alarms on doors that enter the pool area.
- Also required: The pool must be completely surrounded by an approved barrier (UDC 420.150.N). Pool fences may enclose no more than 4 times the pool surface area and must be set back at least 4 feet from rear and side lot lines. Temporary fencing is required before excavation starts, and the permanent fence must be in place within 30 days of permit issuance. A spa or hot tub with a lockable ASTM F1346 cover is exempt from the barrier rules (city amendment to ISPSC 305.1).
Pool permit fees in Lake Saint Louis
Swimming pools: permit fee of $125 minimum, or .006 x cost of construction when the cost exceeds $20,834.00, plus a plan review fee of $50 minimum, or .0012 x cost of construction when the cost exceeds $41,667.00 (Updated Fee Table 3-1-2024; City Code Section 135.110). Extra inspections are $35 each.
How far a pool must be from property lines
Pools must be behind the rear wall of the house and are not allowed in the front setback. In side and rear setbacks, the pool apron may encroach up to 1/2 of the required setback, and the pool lip or edge must be at least 15 feet from the lot line (UDC Table 410.130.G). Above-ground pools are prohibited, except temporary pools less than 18 inches deep.
Other things to know before you dig
- The city pool checklist requires a site plan at 1"=20' scale from a licensed engineer or surveyor. It must show setbacks, easements, USGS elevations, the pool rim elevation (more than 4 inches below the top of the house foundation or slab), current and proposed drainage contours, and the engineer's certification that grading complies with the city-approved drainage plan.
- A licensed engineer or surveyor must stake out the pool.
- Submittals also need an erosion and sediment control plan, a detailed landscaping plan, the pool equipment location with visual screening, any site lighting, and any trees over 8 inch caliper DBH.
- Pumps and filters must be screened (UDC 425.100). Floodlights are not allowed, and lighting must be restrained.
- City code lists fences and pools among the subjects subdivision trust indentures cover (Section 430.220), so check your subdivision's indentures and trustees as well.
Codes in use
2021 ISPSC with local amendments; 2021 IRC; 2020 NEC; 2015 IECC (City Code Section 500.010; applies to permits issued after March 1, 2024)
Who to contact
-
City of Lake Saint Louis Building Division
Building permit, plan review, inspections, 636-625-7937
-
City of Lake Saint Louis Community Development (Planning and Zoning)
Zoning, setbacks, fence standards, 636-625-1200
Sources
Checked against these official sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the permit office before you sign a contract or break ground.
- Building Permits (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO)
- Building Division (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO)
- Lake Saint Louis Swimming Pool Requirement Checklist (PDF) (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO)
- Updated Fee Table 3-1-2024 (PDF) (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO)
- 2021 Construction Codes (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO)
- Section 420.150 Additional Standards for Specific Accessory Uses and Structures (N. Swimming Pools) (eCode360 (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO Code))
- Section 425.110 Fences (Table 425.110.B) (eCode360 (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO Code))
- Section 410.130 Setback Standards (Table 410.130.G) (eCode360 (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO Code))
- Section 500.010 Building Code and Permit (eCode360 (City of Lake Saint Louis, MO Code))
- 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, Chapter 3 (Section 305 Barriers) (ICC)
Get a pool quote in Lake Saint Louis
A local builder handles the permit, inspections and barrier details as part of the job. See what a pool costs in Lake Saint Louis.