Below you will find instructions and links to application forms used by the Public Works Department. These are in PDF File Format. You can print out the form(s), fill out the information and you're set. You may want to call Pat Moore (AKA - Trish) at 314-849-3400 or you can e-mail her at pmoore@sunset-hills.com to get further instructions regarding fee amounts associated with your particular application. After you have this done, you can stop by City Hall and submit your application or mail it with the associated fees.
Also, at the bottom of this page, you will find a link to a full color copy of the City Zoning map. It is printable on an 8-1/2 X 11" sheet of paper and depicts the Sunset Hills Zoning Districts.
The titles below are the actual links to the form files.
Building Permits (PDF)
A Building Permit is required whenever you build or change a structure (i.e. - new homes, additions, pools, garages, etc.) within the City. An application for a building permit from the City of Sunset Hills is your first step to getting the actual permit from St. Louis County. The City reviews your permit for zoning conformance then you take the zoning approval letter to St. Louis County for the actual Building Permit review. Zoning approvals from the City normally take 2 weeks, so you will need to place this into your schedule. St. Louis County's review time depends upon the complexity of the project and can vary from a few days to a few weeks. St. Louis County will not accept your plans without a zoning approval letter from the City of Sunset Hills. You need to start with your zoning approval part of the process with the City first.
Individual residentially zoned lots must show erosion control provisions, grading limits, low floor elevations and storm water improvements. Storm water improvements including piping, swales and ditches on the plot plan. These items are approved as part of the building permit.
You need to put together 6 copies of your plans, including the "Site Plan." The site plan will need to show the property lines and the building "foot print" with all dimensions necessary to determine setback compliance for zoning. After approval by the Public Works Department, you will be contacted by phone to come and pick up your plans to take them the St. Louis County. You will pay your fee and deposit to the City at this time. The fee (payable at the time of plan submission) and deposit (payable at time of plan pick-up) go to separate accounts and therefore need separate checks made payable to "The City of Sunset Hills." The deposit is refundable at the end of the job when an appropriate Occupancy Permit is issued and the job is cleaned up and all vegetation and landscaping work has been completed. A phone call needs to be made to City Hall for final inspection for release of the escrowed deposit.
Tree Manual (PDF)
The Tree Manual is Ordinance #1704 and is applicable for parcels of land developed within the last 2 years where trees on the property are removed to build a structure. This document is also pertinent to the removal or planting of trees in City right of way.
Tree Removal Permit Application
Occupancy Permits (PDF)
An Occupancy Permit is required from the City of Sunset Hills whenever occupancy is established or changed in a residential structure. This includes all homes, trailers, apartments, etc. The City is not specific as to who is required to obtain the permit, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the owner of the property. For property sales, this is a one step process for the entire transfer of the property from one owner to another. Sellers typically apply for the permit ahead of the sale in order to ensure that the home is ready to sell.
An Occupancy Inspection should not be confused with a professional home inspection. The City checks for cosmetic issues and does not insure such inspections for any use as a home warranty. The fee is a flat $25 and an application is good for up to 6 months. A permit has to be issued within that time frame or the application becomes invalid.
The process is simple and requires an application and fee to set up an inspection time with the City Inspector. Inspection times are from 1pm to 3:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the inspection, any deficiencies are noted and the inspector prepares a report that is mailed to the property owner. The owner or applicant is responsible to call for any reinspections required. Once there is an approved inspecion, a permit is generated and mailed to the applicant unless there are other instructions given by the applicant, regarding the permit disposition.
- The items checked in an occupancy inspection include: Every dwelling unit shall be clean, sanitary and fit for human occupancy.
- Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be structurally sound, reasonably weathertight, watertight, and rodentproof; shall be capable of affording privacy and shall be kept in good repair.
- Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, and shall be kept in satisfactory working condition and in good repair.
- Every inside and outside stair, porch and appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in satisfactory condition and good repair.
- Every plumbing fixture, water and waste pipe and sanitary sewerage facility shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition.
- Gutters, downspouts and other storm drainage facilities shall be properly installed and maintained in good working condition.
- Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water so as to be kept in a clean, sanitary and dry condition.
- All equipment (including smoke detectors) and their appropriate supply systems, including gas, electricity, oil, water, wood or coal, shall be so constructed or installed that they will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition.
- All stoves and fireplaces shall be so constructed or installed that they will be function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition.
- Any auxiliary structures, such as sheds, barns, garages, fences, retaining walls or other outbuildings, shall be constructed properly and maintained in a safe working condition. Any outbuilding found so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested as to be a public nuisance shall be corrected or the structure removed.
- Any exterior painted surfaces, including fences, shall be finished. Surfaces which have peeled, scaled, deteriorated or failed to the extent of being unsightly shall be corrected.
- All trash, debris, weeds, abandoned vehicles or parts thereof shall be removed from the premises. In the case of new construction, landscaping shall be completed, and vegetation shall be established. If vegetation is not established, erosion control can be implemented with the approval of the city inspector. Occupancy can be granted via an occupancy agreement until the vegetation is established.
- All hard surface areas, including concrete, asphalt, brick or stone driveways and sidewalks, shall be free of large cracks, potholes and depressions.
Excavation Permit Application (PDF)
An Excavation Permit is required for all digging within the rights of way maintained by the City of Sunset Hills. This includes new driveway aprons that attach to City streets. This does not include private roadways. Excavations within County roads or State areas are handled by those jurisdictions.
FORM INPUT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a contractor doing work for a private home or utility, please list that information in the Property Owner's name and address lines of the form. Please show the closest address below the contractor and property owner's information. Please indicate the appropriate pipe and utility information. The length, width and subsequent area information applies to the work area being disturbed within the City's right-of-way. This will determine the deposit amount applicable for the excavation.
FEE INFORMATION
The Fee is $5.00 per 100 lineal feet of excavation with a minimum of $25.00.
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
In lieu of the next section, an Excel Spreadsheet has been prepared in an online version to help you calculate the deposit required.
EXCEL SPREADHEET FOR EXCAVATION ESCROW DEPOSITS
You will need to know the length and width to calculate the amount of area (in square feet) you are disturbing within the City's right-of-way.
* From the City Code, Excavation Deposits are calculated in the following manner:
- Except as provided in the 3rd paragraph, before any permit within the purview of this division is issued by the street commissioner, the applicant therefor shall deposit with the city:
- For each excavation up to ten (10) square feet, the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00);
- For each excavation of more than ten (10) square feet and less than fifty (50) square feet, the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00);
3. For each excavation in excess of fifty (50) square feet, an additional twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each ten (10) additional square feet or fraction thereof.
- If, within ninety (90) days after an excavation by the permittee, the permittee restores the pavement in satisfactory form, such deposit shall be refunded to him; otherwise the city shall use the deposit for the purpose of employing others to restore the pavement and surface, and the permittee shall be liable to the city for any cost in excess of the amount of the deposit, plus a penalty of twenty-five (25) per cent of the total cost of restoration. If the deposit is more than sufficient to restore the surface, the city shall retain out of the excess an amount equal to twenty-five (25) per cent of the cost of restoration and refund the balance, if any, to the permittee.
- In lieu of the payment of the deposit required by first paragraph of this section, any person having occasion to make frequent openings or excavations, may post a bond with the city in the amount deemed proper by the street commissioner. Such bond shall be conditioned that said person shall restore the pavement or surface in satisfactory form. In such case, permits shall be issued for work from time to time upon application therefor. In the event of the permittee's failure to restore the surface within the time provided in the second paragraph of this section, the city may employ others to restore the surface and charge the permittee therefor with the same penalty as provided in the second paragraph of this section. The cost of the resurfacing charges incurred by the city will be deducted from the standing deposit.
You can contact Trish Moore at 314-849-3400 or e-mail her at pmoore@sunset-hills.com if you need additional information concerning an excavation permit. Also, you can contact Wes Searcy at 314-849-3400 or e-mail him at wsearcy@sunset-hills.com for information. The fee and deposit go to separate accounts and therefore need separate checks made payable to "The City of Sunset Hills." The deposit is refundable at the end of the job when the job is cleaned up and all vegetation and associated paving work has been re-established. A phone call needs to be made to City Hall for final inspection and subsequent release of the escrowed deposit.
EXCAVATION INSPECTION NOTES
- Backfill of areas under City pavement need to be in the form of 1" minus rock and compacted in 1' lifts. An inspection is required before the placement of the pavement.
- Asphalt is typically 8" of X-Mix and 2" of C-Mix.
- Asphalt patches need to be permanent and require a perimeter seal applied.
- If the location of an excavation in a concrete slab is 1/3 or more away from a lateral control joint, the entire concrete slab will need to be replaced.
- Concrete pavement thickness will need to be matched and are 6" or 7" throughout the City's network.
- Vegetation re-establishment means grass is growing, not simply that seed and straw have been placed in the area.
Sign Erection Permit Application (PDF)
A Sign Permit is required for signs in the City of Sunset Hills. Contractors working within the City also need a Sign Erector's license.
City Zoning Map (PDF)
This is a full color map taken from the City's GIS system, that shows the City Zoning Districts.