jaspector
§ MO Boone County
City building permits

Ashland

How to apply for a building permit in Ashland, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Ashland Community Development Office, overseen by the City Administrator as the Building Official. citeturn9view0

Street address
Ashland City Hall, 101 W. Broadway, Ashland, MO 65010. citeturn9view0
Coverage
The office issues permits inside the Ashland city limits, while Boone County Resource Management handles adjacent unincorporated properties. citeturn9view0
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Ashland

Any erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, or maintenance of a building, fence over four feet, retaining wall over four feet, or similar work requires a city permit. citeturn13view0

One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet (provided sleep consistent setbacks) and portable buildings defined by the IRC are exempt from plan submission; verify each exemption with Community Development because detailed exemptions are in the code text. citeturn13view0
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet (provided sleep consistent setbacks) and portable buildings defined by the IRC are exempt from plan submission; verify each exemption with Community Development because detailed exemptions are in the code text. citeturn13view0
Required documents
  • When a permit is required: Any erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, or maintenance of a building, fence over four feet, retaining wall over four feet, or similar work requires a city permit. citeturn13view0
  • Required documents: Construction documents, special inspection/structural observation plans, and other data are required with each application; registered design professionals must prepare documents when statutes demand it. citeturn13view0
  • Permit validity/expiration: The permit becomes void if work has not started within six months or if no inspections are requested within a six-month span. citeturn32view0
  • Owner-builder rules if available: The published code does not list owner-builder exceptions; everyone follows the same permit and inspection rules. citeturn13view0
  • Contractor license requirements: Contractors are defined in Chapter 21 business licenses and must obtain the applicable business license before offering services. citeturn21view0
  • Building code adopted: The city enforces the 2012 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IMC, IFC, International Fuel Gas Code, International Existing Building Code, and the 2011 NEC with local amendments. citeturn13view0
Building code
The city enforces the 2012 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IMC, IFC, International Fuel Gas Code, International Existing Building Code, and the 2011 NEC with local amendments. citeturn13view0
Permit validity
The permit becomes void if work has not started within six months or if no inspections are requested within a six-month span. citeturn32view0
Owner-builder
The published code does not list owner-builder exceptions; everyone follows the same permit and inspection rules. citeturn13view0
Contractor requirements
Contractors are defined in Chapter 21 business licenses and must obtain the applicable business license before offering services. citeturn21view0
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published; applicants should call the department for current review timelines. citeturn9view0

  1. 01
    Create or log into the SmartGov account and select the appropriate permit type. citeturn11view0
  2. 02
    Complete the online application, upload supporting documents (site plan, drawings, manufacturer specs), and indicate property details. citeturn11view0
  3. 03
    Pay the required plan-review and permit fees through SmartGov. citeturn11view0
  4. 04
    SmartGov notifies applicants when the permit is approved; schedule inspections through the portal or by calling Community Development. citeturn11view0
  5. 05
    After final inspection, sign the certificate of occupancy before occupying the project. citeturn32view0

Typical processing time: Not published; applicants should call the department for current review timelines. citeturn9view0

Source: City of Ashland Community Development Office, overseen by the City Administrator as the Building Official. citeturn9view0 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Ashland building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not stated; fees are computed via the valuation tables referenced in Chapter 10. citeturn13view0
02
Plan check fee
Twenty-five percent of the permit fee (capped at $8,000) is charged when plans are required. citeturn13view0
03
Permit fee formula
Residential fees equal the construction value multiplied by 0.3%; commercial fees are 0.5% for the first $5M and 0.25% thereafter, using the ICC Valuation Data; remodels are calculated at 50% of the new construction value. citeturn13view0
04
Reinspection fee
$25 for each failed inspection and $50 for each failed reinspection. citeturn13view0

Permits and plan-review fees are paid through SmartGov or the Community Development Office. citeturn11view0

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Request inspections through SmartGov or call (573) 657-2091 if you need assistance. citeturn11view0 ()
Inspection hours
Inspectors are available during regular business hours; schedule as soon as the work is ready for review. citeturn11view0

Typical sequence: The application advises requesting inspections as each phase (foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, final) is ready, and SmartGov tracks the results. citeturn32view0

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Ashland permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Ashland, MO? ▸
Any erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, or maintenance of a building, fence over four feet, retaining wall over four feet, or similar work requires a city permit. citeturn13view0
02 How much does a building permit cost in Ashland, MO? ▸
Building permit fees in Ashland, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not stated; fees are computed via the valuation tables referenced in Chapter 10. citeturn13view0. Fees are calculated as: Residential fees equal the construction value multiplied by 0.3%; commercial fees are 0.5% for the first $5M and 0.25% thereafter, using the ICC Valuation Data; remodels are calculated at 50% of the new construction value. citeturn13view0. Plan check fee: Twenty-five percent of the permit fee (capped at $8,000) is charged when plans are required. citeturn13view0.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Ashland, MO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Ashland, MO, follow these steps: 1. Create or log into the SmartGov account and select the appropriate permit type. citeturn11view0 2. Complete the online application, upload supporting documents (site plan, drawings, manufacturer specs), and indicate property details. citeturn11view0 3. Pay the required plan-review and permit fees through SmartGov. citeturn11view0 4. SmartGov notifies applicants when the permit is approved; schedule inspections through the portal or by calling Community Development. citeturn11view0 5. After final inspection, sign the certificate of occupancy before occupying the project. citeturn32view0
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Ashland, MO? ▸
Building permit processing times in Ashland, MO typically run Not published; applicants should call the department for current review timelines. citeturn9view0. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Ashland, MO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Ashland, MO. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet (provided sleep consistent setbacks) and portable buildings defined by the IRC are exempt from plan submission; verify each exemption with Community Development because detailed exemptions are in the code text. citeturn13view0. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Ashland, MO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Ashland, MO via: Request inspections through SmartGov or call (573) 657-2091 if you need assistance. citeturn11view0.

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Ashland Community Development Office, overseen by the City Administrator as the Building Official. citeturn9view0 before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.