Business Resource Guide
Crestwood is a welcoming and supportive environment for businesses of all sizes—from locally owned shops to established corporations. With its central location in the St. Louis region, strong community ties, and a commitment to economic development, Crestwood offers the infrastructure, access, and resources businesses need to succeed. Whether you're starting a new venture or growing an existing operation, the City provides a range of tools and information to help you navigate permits, connect with local services, and thrive in our community.
Business Licenses
Under Section 13-208 of the Crestwood Municipal Code, all merchants, manufacturers, and service providers doing business in the City of Crestwood must obtain a valid Business License and display it at their primary place of business.
License Term & Renewal
Business Licenses are valid from June 1 through May 31 each year. Licenses must be renewed annually by May 31 to avoid late fees. Payments made after June 30 will incur a 5% late fee, plus an additional 2.5% per month, up to a maximum penalty of 25%.
How to Apply or Renew
The City of Crestwood processes all licenses and permits through our online portal.
To apply, you must first create an account. If you’ve applied for a permit or license in the past, call 314-729-4720 to receive a registration code and link your previous records to your new account.
Payment Options
- Online: Pay with a credit or debit card (2.99% transaction fee applies)
- In person at the Government Center by cash, check, or money order
Click here to apply for a business license or permit.
Liquor License
The City of Crestwood requires all businesses selling or serving alcohol to obtain a valid liquor license.
How to Apply
Liquor license applications must be submitted online. After an initial staff review, you’ll be notified when your license fee is ready to be paid.
Payment Options
- Online: Pay with a credit or debit card (2.99% transaction fee applies)
- In person at the Government Center by cash, check, or money order
New Applicants & Managing Officers
New managing officers must complete fingerprinting and a background check through the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Call 573-751-3313 or visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for assistance
Once all background checks and required documents are submitted, the application will be presented to the Crestwood Board of Aldermen for approval. Click here to view the City's calendar for the next Board meeting. New applicants should plan to attend in case the Board has questions. After submitting your application, call the City Clerk’s Office at 314-729-4700 to help ensure timely placement on the meeting agenda.
After Approval
Once approved by the Board of Aldermen, a City liquor license will be issued and the applicant will be contacted.
- Please note: Applicants are responsible for also obtaining liquor licenses from the State of Missouri and St. Louis County. All three licenses (City, State, and County) are required.
Renewals
To renew a liquor license with no change in managing officer, return your completed paperwork to the City Clerk’s Office, along with copies of your current State and County liquor licenses.
Bids & RFPS
Click here to view all current open bids and requests for proposals (RFPs) issued by the City of Crestwood at the link below.
Other Links
The City Planning & Economic Development Department offers valuable insight and support for both new and established businesses in Crestwood. Whether you're navigating the development process, exploring potential site locations, or seeking guidance on zoning requirements, the department serves as a key partner in your business journey. This resource provides direct access to economic data, planning tools, and contacts within City government to help streamline projects and ensure compliance.
With a dedicated City Planner and active commissions focused on responsible growth, Crestwood is committed to creating a stable and business-friendly environment. Explore this section to learn more about site plan requirements, available maps, and the City's long-term vision for sustainable development.
- Contact City Planner Planner Danny Jendusa at 314-729-4781 or djendusa@cityofcrestwood.org.
- View the interactive zoning map
- Click here to learn more about the City Planning & Economic Development Department.
The Crestwood Police Department values its relationship with the Crestwood Business Community.
Safe Business
The Crestwood Police Department is committed to keeping our business community a safe environment for those living in and visiting our City. We realize that the make-up of the City is primarily residential in nature and is supported by a vibrant and ever improving business climate. We work diligently to maintain a strong presence and service oriented delivery of services to our environment.
Response Abilities
Officers of the department work throughout the year to maintain current contact information regarding changes in your business that will enable us to maintain our ability to respond in emergencies. In addition, a number of seminars are available from the department that include information on how to deal with:
- Shoplifters
- Armed robbery
- Credit card fraud
- Bad checks
- Suspicious activity
Contact Community Services Officer Dion Olsen to schedule a session for your employees.
Types of Services Provided
Building Checks
Officers patrol businesses in Crestwood to make sure they are secure. These building checks include looking for unlocked doors and suspicious activity. Officers will contact the owner or responsible party for the business if anything out of the ordinary is found.
Building Contacts
Officers routinely contact employees and owners of local businesses to update emergency contact lists kept by the Police Department. These lists come in handy when an emergency notification needs to be made during hours when the business is closed.
Safety Seminars
The Police Department provides safety seminars to local businesses to help educate their employees about measures they can take to make their business a more secure work environment. To schedule a safety seminar, contact the Community Resource Officer or Lt. Kevin Avery at 314-729-4820.
Bad Check Policy
The Crestwood Police Department recognizes our need to assist the business owner/operator with the identification, arrest and prosecution of persons submitting "bad checks" for goods and services.
Consistent with that responsibility is the need for the business operator to make every effort to properly identify the person writing the check and make available the employee who originally accepted the draft. Our policy is designed to assist the business operator in the process of identification, designation of the
responsible employee, and to assure that the required procedure has been followed that is consistent with the mandate of the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney.
Statutes are specific for remedies available to business operators and contact with the police department is to enhance the prosecution of the person suspected of writing the check. We have simplified the process by providing a simple to use form that identifies the various responsibilities needed to satisfy statutory requirements. We require this form to be completed at the time of report.