Post-Tornado Building Safety Assessments

Overview

The City of St. Louis Building Division is making initial assessments to determine if properties are safe for entry or dwelling. Homes will be marked with color-coded stickers to inform residents and the public about the structural condition of the property.

This information is also available in PDF format for download and distribution.

What This Means For Renters

Notices from the Building Division are not eviction notices. The Building Division will not evict renters from their homes. By law, your landlord cannot evict you without filing an eviction lawsuit with the courts.

What This Means For Homeowners

These notices from the Building Division are not notices to seize your property. The City may condemn your property if it is unsafe for occupancy, but it cannot and will not take your property from you.

Building Division Stickers

Green

Little to No Structural Damage: Although repairs may be necessary, it is safe for residents to occupy properties that display a green notice.

 

Yellow

Moderate Structural Damage: If you choose to enter a property with a yellow notice, do so in pairs with one adult remaining outside to call 911 for help if needed.

 

Red

Severe Structural Damage: It is not safe for residents to enter properties with a red notice. A red notice is not a demolition order. The city will not penalize or charge individuals for entry.

 

Temporary Power Shutoffs for Safety

The Building Division has asked Ameren to disconnect severely damaged homes from the electrical grid. This is to prevent fires from breaking out in these already damaged homes as power turns back on, which could potentially cause another disaster and pull away resources from where they are needed. 

This does not mean these houses are now permanently disconnected. This is entirely an effort to make sure we don’t have fires.