Apply for an Excavation Permit

An excavation permit is required any time a portion of the public right-of-way is removed, thereby creating a cavity or unequal grade with the adjoining area of public right of way.

Items you will need before applying for an excavation permit:

1. Your business name (if applicable) and your contact information.
2. A valid business license in the City of St. Louis.
3. Dates and times for when the work will begin and end.
4. Information about the work being performed: 
   • Commercial or residential
   • Excavation location
   • Type of work being performed
   • Information about streets, sidewalks or parking meters being blocked
5. If you are blocking traffic, you will need to attach a traffic control plan.
6. Other permits you may need to attach:
   • If excavation is for plumbing work, you will need to attach a plumbing permit from the Building Division.
   • Non-plumbing related excavations will require a permit from the Board of Public Service.
   • If excavation is for communications cable, you will need to attach a Communications permit. 
7. $1500 deposit (cashier's check or money order accepted, but no personal/company checks accepted for the deposit). Deposit is refundable upon payment of all outstanding invoices to the city.
8. $10,000 surety bond.
9. $500,000 in liability insurance, naming the City of St. Louis as additionally insured.

For documents, we accept .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tiff, .bmp, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .csv, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx and .zip files under 50 MB.

The system allows you to upload a maximum of 20 documents with your application. You may upload more documents on the case manager page after you submit.

1. Submit your permit application online. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email and an application ID number.
2. Monitor the status of your application by entering your application number on the Track and Manage a Case, Permit, or License page.
3. We will review your application and check for any unpaid invoices you or your company might owe to the city. If all is in order, we will approve your permit for issue.
4. Once your permit has been approved, you may come to our office at 1900 Hampton Ave. to pay for and pick up your permit. Learn how to make a payment to the Street Department.

Begin online

Permit Fees

Review the high/low traffic volume fee division map for reference.

Notes

• For cuts under 20 feet in length: $125/repair, permit good for 30 days from start of work.
• For cuts over 20 feet in length:  $125/block plus $20/day/crew inspection fee for each day the excavation is open. 
• Excavation permit allows for blocking ONE lane of roadway. If additional lanes need to be blocked, there will be fees of $30/day for a traffic lane and $20/day for a parking lane.
• If meters will be blocked, there is a one time $25 application fee plus $10/meter/day; excluding Sundays and city holidays.
• Learn how to make a payment to the Street Department.

Additional Fees

Once the job site passes inspection, a Streets Division crew will re-pave the area and you will be invoiced for the cost of labor and materials.

Your permit will indicate the date you plan to start work. You must notify Missouri One Call at least 48 hours before you dig in order to locate underground utility lines, traffic and lighting wires, pipes, cables, etc. The number to call is 1-800-344-7483 or visit mo1call.com.

You will be required to back-fill the job site and a street inspector will check the site before final paving. If you need a copy of the specifications required for back-filling, please let us know when you pick up your permit.

After the plumbing inspector has signed off on your work, you must notify the Street Department to request an inspection of your back-filled area. Once the job site passes inspection, a Streets Division crew will re-pave the area and you will be invoiced for the cost of labor and materials.