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.