Passing Ladue’s ARB: A Homeowner’s Approval Checklist

Planning a renovation, addition, or new build in Ladue? The Architectural Review Board is a key step that can either keep your project moving or stall your timeline. If you know what the ARB expects and when to submit, you can avoid costly delays. This guide gives you a clear checklist, timing tips, and the trustee-signature rule so you can earn approval with confidence. Let’s dive in.

What Ladue’s ARB does

The City of Ladue’s Architectural Review Board reviews exterior design to ensure projects are compatible in style, design, and size with nearby homes and the City’s goals. You apply to the ARB before the City issues building permits for qualifying work. Review the City’s overview on the Architectural Review Board page for policies and meeting logistics.

The City Council approved written ARB Guidelines in 2018, which the Board uses to evaluate proposals. You can confirm that adoption in the City’s agendas and minutes archive.

Projects that need ARB review

If your project needs a building permit and changes the exterior, expect ARB review. Common examples include:

• New home construction and major additions to homes or garages.
• Pool houses and outdoor living structures, pergolas, raised fireplaces, and porch or deck expansions.
• Changes to window or door size, style, or placement.
• Accessory buildings, driveway monuments, and dormer additions.

You can confirm scope and details on the City’s ARB information page.

Projects that usually do not

Some routine work typically does not require an ARB application:

• Fences, like-for-like replacement windows or doors, and exterior painting.
• Replacement flatwork in the same size and location, such as driveways, patios, and walkways.
• Minor roof or exterior storm repairs, pools, siding replacement, and retaining walls.

The Building Commissioner may still require ARB review for any exterior element at their discretion. If you are unsure, call the Building Department to confirm before you schedule work.

Process and timing

• Where to apply: Pick up the ARB application at the Building Department or download it from the City’s ARB page. Submissions are accepted in person or by email to the Building Department.
• Meeting schedule: The ARB meets on the first and third Thursday each month. The agenda deadline is one week prior by 11:00 AM. Agendas post at least 24 hours before the meeting.
• Fees and permits: There is no fee to apply to the ARB. Fees are paid later with your building permit. For building permit review, the City requires two sets of plan documents. See the City’s Permits page for details.
• Outcomes: Applications may be approved, continued to a future meeting, approved with conditions, or denied. You or your representative should attend to answer questions and avoid a continuance.

What to submit

Ladue points you to the ARB Guidelines and the application as the definitive requirements. In practice, you will move faster if you provide clear, scaled, and complete documentation.

• Required items in Ladue: Completed ARB application, full plan set for the work, and trustee signatures when required by subdivision rules. The Building Department’s Permits page explains the trustee-signature policy.
• Recommended items that help approvals:
  • Scaled site plan showing property lines, setbacks, existing and proposed structures, drives and patios, and grades or drainage if relevant. These are standard for municipal ARB reviews, as seen in a typical ARB submission checklist example.
  • Existing and proposed exterior elevations with rooflines, window and door locations, and materials.
  • Floor plans if needed to explain massing changes.
  • Materials and finishes schedule with physical samples or color chips for siding, brick, roofing, trim, and pavers.
  • Photos of the existing house and nearby context.
  • A landscape plan when site changes or new plantings are part of the project.

Include trustee signatures directly on the plan sheets if your subdivision requires them. Plans without required trustee signatures are not accepted unless the waiting-period exception applies.

Trustee signatures: the easy-to-miss step

For many Ladue subdivisions, the City will not accept exterior plans for review without trustee signatures. The rule requires original signatures, printed names, and dates from at least two trustees on plans for projects such as new homes, additions, exterior renovations, pools, retaining walls, driveways, and playsets. If trustees fail or refuse to act within 60 business days after you submit plans to them, that requirement is considered satisfied. See the City’s Permits page for the full policy.

Start trustee outreach early. It is a low-effort step that protects your timeline.

Common reasons for delays or denials

• Missing information. Applications without scaled drawings, elevations, or material samples are often continued.
• Scale and compatibility concerns. Designs that do not fit the surrounding context may be conditioned or denied under the City’s compatibility standards described on the ARB page.
• Site issues. Incomplete grading, drainage, or easement information can trigger questions and continuances that slow your permit.
• No one attends the meeting. If the board has questions and no one can answer, your case may be continued to the next agenda.

Your step-by-step checklist

1. Read Ladue’s ARB Guidelines and download the application on the City’s ARB page before you finalize design or hire contractors.
2. Confirm if your project needs ARB review. If a permit is required and the exterior changes, it likely does. Call the Building Department if you are unsure.
3. Prepare complete documents: scaled site plan, existing and proposed elevations, floor plan if helpful, a materials and finishes schedule with color chips, neighborhood context photos, and a landscape plan if relevant.
4. Get trustee signatures if your subdivision requires them, or document your submission and the 60 business day window if trustees do not act. Do not submit to the City until this is satisfied or the waiting period has passed.
5. Submit by the agenda deadline, one week before the first or third Thursday meeting by 11:00 AM. Confirm your item appears on the posted agenda.
6. Attend the ARB meeting, or send your architect or contractor. Be ready to clarify details and show samples.
7. If approved with conditions or continued, update drawings promptly and resubmit. If denied, ask what changes could meet the Guidelines.

Local contacts and next steps

• Building Department phone: 314-997-6308
• Address for in-person submissions: 9345 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124
• Forms, meeting schedule, and guidelines: City of Ladue ARB page

If you want a second set of eyes on how ARB timing could affect your move or resale plans, reach out. With local experience and a vetted network of design and build partners, I can help you plan your project with the market in mind. Connect with Jason D Cooper to get started.

FAQs

What is Ladue’s ARB and why does it matter?

• The Architectural Review Board evaluates exterior design for compatibility with nearby homes, and most exterior projects that need a permit must pass ARB review before the City issues permits.

How long does ARB approval take in Ladue?

• The ARB meets on the first and third Thursday, and you must submit by 11:00 AM one week before; timelines vary by project complexity and whether your application is complete and someone attends to answer questions.

Do fences, pools, or retaining walls need ARB review?

• Fences and retaining walls typically do not require an ARB application, and pools generally do not either, but always confirm with the Building Department since the Commissioner can require review for exterior elements.

What if subdivision trustees will not sign your plans?

• If two trustee signatures are required and trustees do not act within 60 business days after you submit, the City considers that requirement satisfied and will accept your plans with documentation of the waiting period.

Do you have to attend the ARB meeting?

• Attendance is strongly encouraged because answering questions on the spot often avoids a continuance and speeds your approval.

What happens after ARB approval?

• You will receive the decision by email, and if approved you proceed to building permit review and pay applicable permit fees, including submitting two sets of plans for the permit stage.