Savannah, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to the full city of Savannah (4th-class city); building permits and inspections are handled by city staff citeturn3search0

Department

City of Savannah Building and Zoning Department / Planning & Zoning Administrator Mike Malhiwsky citeturn3search0

Address

City Hall, 402 Court Street, Savannah, MO 64485 citeturn6view0

Phone

816-324-7560 (inspector direct) and 816-324-3315 (City Hall main) citeturn6view0

Email

Use the “Send Email” link on the Building and Zoning page since no direct address is published citeturn6view0

Website

https://www.savannahmo.net/6407/building-and-zoning citeturn3search0

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact Mike Malhiwsky or the Building and Zoning office to describe the project and request the appropriate permit form(s) citeturn6view0
2. Prepare submission materials: building plans (floor plan, foundation plan, elevations, wall cross-section) and a detailed site plan showing legal description, easements, mobilities, drainage, utilities, and erosion controls citeturn4view0
3. File the package with City Hall so the Building Inspector can review it for zoning, building code, and storm-water compliance; include the right-of-way damage report before work begins citeturn4view0
4. Receive the issued permit and begin work once City Hall gives approval; notify the office when each inspection is needed citeturn4view0

Typical processing time: Not published; applicants are told to call the inspector for current timelines citeturn6view0

Source: City of Savannah Building and Zoning Department / Planning & Zoning Administrator Mike Malhiwsky citeturn3search0

General Requirements

All construction, additions, permanent accessory structures, fences, and renovations must have a permit before the work commences citeturn4view0

Required Documents

• When a permit is required: All construction, additions, permanent accessory structures, fences, and renovations must have a permit before the work commences citeturn4view0
• Required documents: Building plans (floor/foundation/elevation/cross-section) plus a site plan that shows dimensions, utilities, drainage, and erosion-control measures; property markers must be visible before new construction citeturn4view0
• Permit validity/expiration: City permits must be issued before work and are tied to inspections; the rate sheet notes that permits expire in 60 days (building and zoning permits expire one year except demolition permits, which expire in 60 days) citeturn8view0turn9view0
• Owner-builder rules if available: Not posted
• Contractor license requirements: Not posted
• Building code adopted: Construction must comply with Savannah Building Codes, Zoning Ordinances, and the City Storm Water Management Ordinance (Section 500.150) citeturn4view0

Permit validity

City permits must be issued before work and are tied to inspections; the rate sheet notes that permits expire in 60 days (building and zoning permits expire one year except demolition permits, which expire in 60 days) citeturn8view0turn9view0

Building code

Construction must comply with Savannah Building Codes, Zoning Ordinances, and the City Storm Water Management Ordinance (Section 500.150) citeturn4view0

Owner-builder

Not posted

Contractor requirements

Not posted

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential new construction is .10 per sq ft with a minimum; commercial new construction is .20 per sq ft with a minimum citeturn8view0

Plan check fee

Not separately listed; the rate schedule and code note that permit fees include plan review citeturn4view0

Permit fee formula

Fees for new construction, additions, and accessory structures are calculated per square footage (as shown in the rate schedule), with demolition, re-roof, sidewalk, and specialty permit flat fees citeturn8view0

Reinspection fee

Additional reinspections incur a charge; late fees double if work starts before obtaining the permit citeturn4view0turn9view0

Payment note

Permits are processed through City Hall; applicants should ask the building inspector for payment instructions before starting work citeturn6view0

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Savannah Building and Zoning Department / Planning & Zoning Administrator Mike Malhiwsky citeturn3search0 to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Builders/owners must notify City Hall for each inspection; no online scheduler is provided citeturn6view0 ()

Inspection hours

Building and Zoning hours match general city hall hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) citeturn6view0

Typical inspection sequence: The code enumerates inspections for footings, foundation walls, sewer, water, ground and top plumbing, framing, fireplace/chimney, electrical rough, mechanical rough, electrical service, driveway/sidewalk, gas piping, occupancy/temporary occupancy, and right-of-way work citeturn4view0

Additional Resources

• Building code: Construction must comply with Savannah Building Codes, Zoning Ordinances, and the City Storm Water Management Ordinance (Section 500.150) citeturn4view0
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Missouri Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Missouri Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Missouri hub: Missouri Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Savannah Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Savannah, MO?

All construction, additions, permanent accessory structures, fences, and renovations must have a permit before the work commences citeturn4view0

How much does a building permit cost in Savannah, MO?

The minimum permit fee is Residential new construction is .10 per sq ft with a minimum; commercial new construction is .20 per sq ft with a minimum citeturn8view0. Fees are calculated as: Fees for new construction, additions, and accessory structures are calculated per square footage (as shown in the rate schedule), with demolition, re-roof, sidewalk, and specialty permit flat fees citeturn8view0. Plan check fee: Not separately listed; the rate schedule and code note that permit fees include plan review citeturn4view0.

How do I apply for a building permit in Savannah, MO?

1. Contact Mike Malhiwsky or the Building and Zoning office to describe the project and request the appropriate permit form(s) citeturn6view0 2. Prepare submission materials: building plans (floor plan, foundation plan, elevations, wall cross-section) and a detailed site plan showing legal description, easements, mobilities, drainage, utilities, and erosion controls citeturn4view0 3. File the package with City Hall so the Building Inspector can review it for zoning, building code, and storm-water compliance; include the right-of-way damage report before work begins citeturn4view0 4. Receive the issued permit and begin work once City Hall gives approval; notify the office when each inspection is needed citeturn4view0

How long does it take to get a building permit in Savannah, MO?

Typical processing time is Not published; applicants are told to call the inspector for current timelines citeturn6view0.

What work is exempt from building permits in Savannah, MO?

The following work is generally exempt: Re-painting a house does not require a permit (per the rate schedule); no other exempt-work list is posted, so verify any edge cases with the Building Department before starting citeturn8view0.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Savannah, MO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Builders/owners must notify City Hall for each inspection; no online scheduler is provided citeturn6view0.