How much does a building permit cost in Cape Girardeau, MO?

The minimum permit fee is $88.00 minimum for new construction/additions up to 1,000 square feet and for remodels up to $3,000 valuation; other trade permit minimums include $39.00 electrical, $46.00 mechanical, and $46.00 plumbing. Fees are calculated as: New construction/additions are square-foot based; remodels are valuation based; demolition, fence, driveway, retaining wall, and many related permits are flat-fee items; trade permits use per-circuit, per-appliance, or per-fixture formulas. Plan check fee: Plan review deposit is $92.00 electronic or $115.50 paper, with residential new construction/additions listed at $92.00 plus $0.07 per square foot and commercial review at the formulas shown in the fee schedule.

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

1. Start from the city's Applications and Plan Documents page and pull the specific permit form or brochure for the project scope 2. If the project is commercial or otherwise requires plan review, email the permit application only to eplans@cityofcape.org to initiate electronic plan review. The city states applicants should not email plan sets; staff will send an upload invitation 3. Upload plans and supporting documents through the city's digital plan review system when invited, or submit paper plans if the project is handled outside the ePlans workflow 4. Pay the required plan review deposit at submittal. The current schedule lists $92.00 for electronic plan review submittal and $115.50 for paper submittal 5. Complete any related development prerequisites, including stormwater permitting where required. The city states a stormwater permit must be obtained before a building permit is issued when the development triggers stormwater review 6. After approvals, pay the permit fees through the online portal or city office and obtain the issued permit before starting construction 7. Request inspections through the city's inspection request system as work progresses

What work is exempt from building permits in Cape Girardeau, MO?

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work appears to remain exempt under the city's adopted code framework; The city publicly notes that its local code amended the standard IBC work-exempt-from-permit section by deleting building items 2, 4, and 6, so applicants should not assume standard ICC exemptions for small fences, some retaining walls, or some sidewalks and driveways still apply in Cape Girardeau; Because the city did not publish the full current exemption list on an easy public webpage, exemption questions should be confirmed directly with Inspection Services before work starts.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Cape Girardeau, MO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: City Development pages include a dedicated inspection request link and Inspection Services contact channels.

City Building Permits

Cape Girardeau, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Missouri Cape Girardeau County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies within incorporated City of Cape Girardeau limits. The city's Development Department handles permitting, plan review, inspections, stormwater, and related development approvals

Department: City of Cape Girardeau Development Department, including Inspection Services Division
Address: 44 North Lorimier Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Phone: (573) 339-6327
Email: development@cityofcape.org , inspection-specific emails shown on forms and pages include eplans@cityofcape.org and inspections@cityofcape.org
Website: https://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/departments/development/ ; inspection services page: https://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/departments/development/inspection-services/

Online Permit Portal

Open https://capegirardeaumo.munisselfservice.com/css/citizens/default.aspx

Platform: Tyler Technologies MUNIS Self Service • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

permit search/forms hub:

Application Process

Start from the city's Applications and Plan Documents page and pull the specific permit form or brochure for the project scope
If the project is commercial or otherwise requires plan review, email the permit application only to eplans@cityofcape.org to initiate electronic plan review. The city states applicants should not email plan sets; staff will send an upload invitation
Upload plans and supporting documents through the city's digital plan review system when invited, or submit paper plans if the project is handled outside the ePlans workflow
Pay the required plan review deposit at submittal. The current schedule lists $92.00 for electronic plan review submittal and $115.50 for paper submittal
Complete any related development prerequisites, including stormwater permitting where required. The city states a stormwater permit must be obtained before a building permit is issued when the development triggers stormwater review
After approvals, pay the permit fees through the online portal or city office and obtain the issued permit before starting construction
Request inspections through the city's inspection request system as work progresses

Typical processing time: No general citywide building permit processing time estimate was located on the reviewed public pages

Source: City of Cape Girardeau Development Department, including Inspection Services Division

General Requirements

City materials show permit regulation for new construction, additions, remodels, demolition, signs, driveways, fences, retaining walls, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, floodplain development, stormwater, sanitary sewer, and water service work. Inspection Services states it enforces ICC construction standards adopted by City Council

Required Documents

When a permit is required: City materials show permit regulation for new construction, additions, remodels, demolition, signs, driveways, fences, retaining walls, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, floodplain development, stormwater, sanitary sewer, and water service work. Inspection Services states it enforces ICC construction standards adopted by City Council
Required documents: City forms vary by permit type. Public materials show permit applications, plan sets for plan review, and project-specific supporting documents; for digital plan review the city requires the permit application first and then electronic plan upload by invitation
Permit validity/expiration: No current public permit-expiration handout was located in reviewed city pages
Owner-builder rules if available: No separate public owner-builder handout was located
Contractor license requirements: The current city fee schedule lists an annual building trade license fee of $51.00. City licensing resources state business, liquor, rental, trade, and event licenses are managed through Development
Building code adopted: Reviewed city materials state Inspection Services enforces ICC construction standards adopted by City Council, and a city council packet tied to the city's building-code article references the 2015 International Building Code with local amendments

Permit validity: No current public permit-expiration handout was located in reviewed city pages
Building code: Reviewed city materials state Inspection Services enforces ICC construction standards adopted by City Council, and a city council packet tied to the city's building-code article references the 2015 International Building Code with local amendments
Owner-builder: No separate public owner-builder handout was located
Contractor requirements: The current city fee schedule lists an annual building trade license fee of $51.00. City licensing resources state business, liquor, rental, trade, and event licenses are managed through Development

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $88.00 minimum for new construction/additions up to 1,000 square feet and for remodels up to $3,000 valuation; other trade permit minimums include $39.00 electrical, $46.00 mechanical, and $46.00 plumbing
Plan check fee: Plan review deposit is $92.00 electronic or $115.50 paper, with residential new construction/additions listed at $92.00 plus $0.07 per square foot and commercial review at the formulas shown in the fee schedule
Permit fee formula: New construction/additions are square-foot based; remodels are valuation based; demolition, fence, driveway, retaining wall, and many related permits are flat-fee items; trade permits use per-circuit, per-appliance, or per-fixture formulas
Reinspection fee: $34.00 per reinspection after the first two building inspections; other reinspection fees are separately listed for certain license programs
Payment note: City materials provide online pay/apply functions through MUNIS Self Service. The fee schedule states fees are non-refundable except as allowed when an application is canceled by the city or applicant

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Cape Girardeau Development Department, including Inspection Services Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

City Development pages include a dedicated inspection request link and Inspection Services contact channels ()

Inspection hours: No public inspection time windows were located on the reviewed pages

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, then required trade/building inspections during construction, then final approval. The exact sequence depends on the scope and permit type

Additional Resources

Building code: Reviewed city materials state Inspection Services enforces ICC construction standards adopted by City Council, and a city council packet tied to the city's building-code article references the 2015 International Building Code with local amendments
Zoning information: View zoning info
cityofcapegirardeau.org
cityofcapegirardeau.org
License lookup guide: Missouri Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Missouri Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Missouri hub: Missouri Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Cape Girardeau Development Department, including Inspection Services Division before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Girardeau Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Cape Girardeau, MO?: City materials show permit regulation for new construction, additions, remodels, demolition, signs, driveways, fences, retaining walls, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, floodplain development, stormwater, sanitary sewer, and water service work. Inspection Services states it enforces ICC construction standards adopted by City Council
How much does a building permit cost in Cape Girardeau, MO?: The minimum permit fee is $88.00 minimum for new construction/additions up to 1,000 square feet and for remodels up to $3,000 valuation; other trade permit minimums include $39.00 electrical, $46.00 mechanical, and $46.00 plumbing. Fees are calculated as: New construction/additions are square-foot based; remodels are valuation based; demolition, fence, driveway, retaining wall, and many related permits are flat-fee items; trade permits use per-circuit, per-appliance, or per-fixture formulas. Plan check fee: Plan review deposit is $92.00 electronic or $115.50 paper, with residential new construction/additions listed at $92.00 plus $0.07 per square foot and commercial review at the formulas shown in the fee schedule.
How do I apply for a building permit in Cape Girardeau, MO?: 1. Start from the city's Applications and Plan Documents page and pull the specific permit form or brochure for the project scope 2. If the project is commercial or otherwise requires plan review, email the permit application only to eplans@cityofcape.org to initiate electronic plan review. The city states applicants should not email plan sets; staff will send an upload invitation 3. Upload plans and supporting documents through the city's digital plan review system when invited, or submit paper plans if the project is handled outside the ePlans workflow 4. Pay the required plan review deposit at submittal. The current schedule lists $92.00 for electronic plan review submittal and $115.50 for paper submittal 5. Complete any related development prerequisites, including stormwater permitting where required. The city states a stormwater permit must be obtained before a building permit is issued when the development triggers stormwater review 6. After approvals, pay the permit fees through the online portal or city office and obtain the issued permit before starting construction 7. Request inspections through the city's inspection request system as work progresses
How long does it take to get a building permit in Cape Girardeau, MO?: Typical processing time is No general citywide building permit processing time estimate was located on the reviewed public pages.
What work is exempt from building permits in Cape Girardeau, MO?: The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work appears to remain exempt under the city's adopted code framework; The city publicly notes that its local code amended the standard IBC work-exempt-from-permit section by deleting building items 2, 4, and 6, so applicants should not assume standard ICC exemptions for small fences, some retaining walls, or some sidewalks and driveways still apply in Cape Girardeau; Because the city did not publish the full current exemption list on an easy public webpage, exemption questions should be confirmed directly with Inspection Services before work starts.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Cape Girardeau, MO?: Inspections can be scheduled via: City Development pages include a dedicated inspection request link and Inspection Services contact channels.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.