PermitDuePermitDue

Permits for a Contractor in Saint Louis, Missouri

A contractor in Saint Louis, Missouri needs 7 permits including business registration (mo), contractor registration (mo), unemployment insurance registration (mo), and more. Each has specific costs, deadlines, and renewal requirements.

We found 7 permits you’ll likely need. Costs, deadlines, and direct .gov links included.

7 permits found

For a Contractor in Saint Louis, MO

Business License (2)Employment (2)Signage (1)Tax (1)Zoning (1)

Business License

Business Registration (MO)
Missouri Secretary of State·MO (state-level)
Business License

Business entities must register with the Missouri Secretary of State. LLC filing fee is $50 online ($105 by mail). Sole proprietorships using a fictitious name file a Registration of Fictitious Name for $7.

$0 - $1 (LLC filing $50 online / $105 by mail. Fictitious name $7.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~5 days
Failure to maintain registration may result in administrative dissolution. ($0 - $5)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Contractor Registration (MO)
Missouri Secretary of State / Local Municipality·MO (state-level)
Business License

Missouri does not require a state-level general contractor license. However, all businesses must register with the Secretary of State. Contractors must also register with the Department of Revenue for sales tax. Most cities (Kansas City, St. Louis) require local contractor licenses.

$0 - $2 (State business registration $30–$205 depending on structure. Local licenses vary.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~10 days
Operating without required local licenses may result in fines and stop-work orders per municipal code. ($1 - $10)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Employment

Unemployment Insurance Registration (MO)
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations — Division of Employment Security (DES)·MO (state-level)
Employment

Employers liable for Missouri unemployment tax must register with the Division of Employment Security (DES) and submit quarterly wage detail reports. Registration completed online through UInteract.

$0 - $0 (Registration is free. Tax rate varies by employer experience rating.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register or pay UI tax may result in penalties and interest. ($1 - $50)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Workers' Compensation Insurance (MO)
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations — Division of Workers' Compensation·MO (state-level)
Employment

Missouri employers with 5+ employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. Construction employers must have coverage with 1+ employees. Coverage from private insurers or self-insurance approved by the Division of Workers' Compensation.

$5 - $50 (Annual premium varies by industry and payroll.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without coverage is a Class A misdemeanor. Employer liable for all injury costs. ($5 - $500)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Signage

Sign Permit (MO)
Local Municipality Planning/Zoning Department·MO (state-level)
Signage

Required for installing or modifying business signs in Missouri. Administered by local municipality. Outdoor advertising along state highways regulated by MoDOT. Sign codes adopted at the local level.

$0 - $3 (Permit fee set by municipality.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Installing a sign without a permit may result in removal orders and fines. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Tax

Employer Tax Withholding Registration (MO)
Missouri Department of Revenue·MO (state-level)
Tax

Employers paying wages in Missouri must register with the Department of Revenue for state income tax withholding. Missouri state income tax ranges from 2%–4.8%. Registration through Missouri Tax Registration Application (Form 2643).

$0 - $0 (Free to register.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to withhold or remit: penalties plus interest. ($0 - $100)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Zoning

Zoning Compliance / Land Use Permit (MO)
Local Municipality / County Planning Department·MO (state-level)
Zoning

Verifies that a business location complies with local zoning ordinances. Required before opening a new business. Issued by local planning/zoning authority. Missouri zoning is handled at the local level — no state-level zoning requirements.

$0 - $5 (Fee set by local jurisdiction.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~21 days
Operating in violation of zoning may result in fines and stop-work orders. ($1 - $10)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Don't forget these deadlines

Save this checklist to your dashboard. We'll email you before each permit expires so you never get hit with a late penalty.

From $12/month

Total penalty exposure

$8 – $680

if you skip or miss these permits

Based on published penalty schedules. Your actual fines may differ depending on your city or county.

Save this checklist & get help filing

Save this checklist

Get this full permit list in your inbox. Handy when you're actually filling out applications.

Prove you're compliant. Share it with anyone.

Your compliance packet is a one-page proof that every permit is current. Send it to your landlord, insurer, or lender.

Riverside Bar & Grill

Austin, TX

94%
Liquor LicenseActive
Business LicenseActive
Health PermitActive
Fire Safety InspectionExpiring Soon
Sign PermitApplied
Verified by PermitDue — as of March 15, 2026
permitdue.com/packet/a3f8...

Who asks for this?

Landlords
Insurers
Lenders
Franchise HQs
Get your compliance packet

Check another location

Related permit checklists

Related Articles

Contractor License Requirements: What Every State Requires
Contractor licensing rules vary wildly by state. Some require exams and bonds, others have no state license at all. Here's what you need in each of the major states.
Contractor License Requirements by State
Some states make you pass an exam and post a bond. Others don't even have state-level licensing. Here's how contractor licensing works in CA, TX, FL, and NY.
General Contractor vs Specialty Contractor Licenses
Do you need a general contractor license or a specialty license? Here's how classification systems work, what each costs, and when you need which.