On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Kansas City (Clay County portion)
Almost all new construction, additions, remodels, accessory structures, demolition, roofs, decks, pools, and trade work within the city or street right-of-way. citeturn16view0
See Building Permit Exempt Work bulletin for small fences, certain electrical fixes, portable heaters, etc. citeturn19search0
- Exempt See Building Permit Exempt Work bulletin for small fences, certain electrical fixes, portable heaters, etc. citeturn19search0
Required documents
- When a permit is required: Almost all new construction, additions, remodels, accessory structures, demolition, roofs, decks, pools, and trade work within the city or street right-of-way. citeturn16view0
- Required documents: Full construction plans, site plan, structural calculations, energy code compliance, and floodplain documentation as applicable, all uploaded to CompassKC. citeturn16view0
- Permit validity/expiration: Permits are valid for the duration listed on the approval; amendments require additional fees and the permit remains on hold until the fees are paid. citeturn16view0
- Owner-builder rules if available: Homeowners performing work themselves still submit permit applications and must comply with the same inspection schedule; exceptions for residential owner-occupied work are documented in Kansas City policy bulletins. citeturn16view0
- Contractor license requirements: Contractors must hold a city business license (Contractor Licensing & Certification Requirements) and register trades in CompassKC before pulling permits. citeturn16view0
- Building code adopted: Kansas City references the 2018 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, and Energy Codes (as further amended in Section 18). citeturn17search0
- Building code
- Kansas City references the 2018 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, and Energy Codes (as further amended in Section 18). citeturn17search0
- Permit validity
- Permits are valid for the duration listed on the approval; amendments require additional fees and the permit remains on hold until the fees are paid. citeturn16view0
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners performing work themselves still submit permit applications and must comply with the same inspection schedule; exceptions for residential owner-occupied work are documented in Kansas City policy bulletins. citeturn16view0
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold a city business license (Contractor Licensing & Certification Requirements) and register trades in CompassKC before pulling permits. citeturn16view0
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: The Development Process Guide frames typical timelines (roughly six weeks for standard applications after pre‐application meeting). citeturn17search0
- 01 Set up a CompassKC account, select the correct permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, site, etc.), and upload project documents. citeturn16view0
- 02 Planning staff processes the submission, requests clarifications through CompassKC, and schedules plan review. citeturn16view0
- 03 Applicants receive electronic review comments and resubmit revisions as needed; no permit is released until all corrections are answered. citeturn16view0
- 04 Pay the calculated fee per Section 18 of the municipal code; CompassKC flags unpaid amounts and holds the permit. citeturn16view0
- 05 Once approved, inspectors assign inspection steps through CompassKC and the permit holder schedules each inspection with 24-hour notice. citeturn17search7
Typical processing time: The Development Process Guide frames typical timelines (roughly six weeks for standard applications after pre‐application meeting). citeturn17search0
Source: City Planning & Development Department, Permits Division. citeturn16view0 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Kansas City (Clay County portion) building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not publicly listed as a flat minimum; CompassKC pulls the lowest fee for the selected permit type. citeturn16view0
02
Plan check fee
Calculated by the downloadable fee calculator PDF; plan review is included in the cost of the permit. citeturn16view0
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based schedule with base fees for the first ,000 and per-,000 increments plus specialized fees (site disturbance, plan review, etc.). citeturn16view0
04
Reinspection fee
Issued per Section 18; CompassKC posts outstanding reinspection fees and a value is typical for each follow-up visit. citeturn16view0
Payments are made through CompassKC; plan releases are blocked until the fees are settled. citeturn16view0
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspectors are scheduled through CompassKC; call (816) 513-1500, option 1, only after a permit number is issued. citeturn16view0 ()
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday inspections; walk-in consultation/staff hours 8:30 AM–3:00 PM. citeturn16view0
Typical sequence: Foundation, framing, trades, insulation, and final inspections follow the CompassKC sequencing; trade inspections may be scheduled separately. citeturn16view0
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Kansas City (Clay County portion) permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO? ▸
Almost all new construction, additions, remodels, accessory structures, demolition, roofs, decks, pools, and trade work within the city or street right-of-way. citeturn16view0
02 How much does a building permit cost in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO? ▸
Building permit fees in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not publicly listed as a flat minimum; CompassKC pulls the lowest fee for the selected permit type. citeturn16view0. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based schedule with base fees for the first ,000 and per-,000 increments plus specialized fees (site disturbance, plan review, etc.). citeturn16view0. Plan check fee: Calculated by the downloadable fee calculator PDF; plan review is included in the cost of the permit. citeturn16view0.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO, follow these steps: 1. Set up a CompassKC account, select the correct permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, site, etc.), and upload project documents. citeturn16view0 2. Planning staff processes the submission, requests clarifications through CompassKC, and schedules plan review. citeturn16view0 3. Applicants receive electronic review comments and resubmit revisions as needed; no permit is released until all corrections are answered. citeturn16view0 4. Pay the calculated fee per Section 18 of the municipal code; CompassKC flags unpaid amounts and holds the permit. citeturn16view0 5. Once approved, inspectors assign inspection steps through CompassKC and the permit holder schedules each inspection with 24-hour notice. citeturn17search7
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO? ▸
Building permit processing times in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO typically run The Development Process Guide frames typical timelines (roughly six weeks for standard applications after pre‐application meeting). citeturn17search0. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO. The following work is generally exempt: See Building Permit Exempt Work bulletin for small fences, certain electrical fixes, portable heaters, etc. citeturn19search0. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Kansas City (Clay County portion), MO via: Inspectors are scheduled through CompassKC; call (816) 513-1500, option 1, only after a permit number is issued. citeturn16view0.
last verified April 2026
source City Planning & Development Department, Permits Division. citeturn16view0 ↗
entry id permits/missouri/clay/kansas-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City Planning & Development Department, Permits Division. citeturn16view0 before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.