The City of St. Louis Building Division outlined inspection, permitting and contractor‑registry steps intended to speed repairs and improve safety in neighborhoods hit by the May 16 tornado.

Building Commissioner Ed Ware said the division, working with emergency managers, inspected about 7,000 affected buildings after the storm. He said the administration chose not to issue broad condemnations or occupancy revocations for properties that were occupied before the tornado; only owner‑requested condemnations have been issued to support insurance claims. “Any pre‑existing business that was in prior to the tornado still has a legitimate occupancy permit,” Ware said.

Ware and Deputy Commissioner Dylan Mosier announced several programs: all permit fees for tornado‑related repairs have been waived (the requirement to obtain a permit remains), the building division is expediting reviews and has brought in volunteer architects to advise property owners, and a contractor registration was created so contractors can register free of charge, upload certificates of insurance, licenses and trade credentials and be searchable by residents. Mosier said volunteers and architects are available two days a week in Room 425 for drop‑in consultations: “You can bring your photos on your phone… and you can begin to have a conversation about sort of what does rebuilding look like.”

On occupancy stickers, Mosier said reevaluations are performed through 311 (CSB); the building inspector determines if a property is watertight and structurally sound, then electrical inspectors coordinate with Ameren for power re‑connections. Mosier said inspections and rechecks do not govern eligibility for outside agencies’ assistance and that property owners who need reevaluation should file a 311 request.

The building division said city‑initiated emergency stabilization contracts will pull contractors from the registration list where possible and urged contractors to register to be considered. The division also said the home‑occupation waiver process remains available for business owners who need to temporarily operate from home if their storefront is unusable.

Officials repeatedly urged owners and contractors to work through the registration process and use the building division’s contractor registry to reduce fraud risk and streamline recovery work.