Union, MO — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Union Building & Engineering Department. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Street address

10 E. Locust Street, Union, MO 63084. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Phone

(636) 583-1805. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

buildinginspector@unionmissouri.gov. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Coverage

Covers residential, commercial, and industrial work in the city limits; the department coordinates fire district plan review, water/sewer hookups, floodplain permits, and the 2021 I-C code suite listed in the New Home Booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Online portal

https://www.unionmissouri.gov/document_center/Building_Department/Building%20Permit.pdf for the building permit application and the New Home Booklet at the same directory. 【0†source】citeturn4view0

City of Union Document Center (Revize). 【0†source】citeturn4view0

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Union

All residential, commercial, or industrial projects, structural work, new decks, porches, sheds, garages, carports, swimming pools, and similar improvements must be reported to the Building Department (floodplain permit is also required if the site is in a floodplain). 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Scope of work

Permit?

No publicly posted exempt-work list is provided on the New Home Booklet or permit form; coordinate with the Building Department for clarification. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Exempt

Exempt No publicly posted exempt-work list is provided on the New Home Booklet or permit form; coordinate with the Building Department for clarification. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Required documents

When a permit is required: All residential, commercial, or industrial projects, structural work, new decks, porches, sheds, garages, carports, swimming pools, and similar improvements must be reported to the Building Department (floodplain permit is also required if the site is in a floodplain). 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Required documents: Plot plan, site plan, two sets of plans covering foundations, floors, walls, stairs, elevations, utilities, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and any floodplain information; the application also requires the estimated cost and contractor credentials. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Permit validity/expiration: Not publicly listed; confirm with the Building Department. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Owner-builder rules if available: All permit holders must ensure contractors and subcontractors hold a valid City of Union business license before work begins; the permit is the owner's responsibility. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Contractor license requirements: Contractors must have a City of Union business license prior to starting work, as noted in the booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Building code adopted: ICC International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Property Maintenance, and Energy Conservation Codes (all 2021) plus NEC 2020 and the 2021 Swimming Pool & Spa Code, as noted in the booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Building code: ICC International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Property Maintenance, and Energy Conservation Codes (all 2021) plus NEC 2020 and the 2021 Swimming Pool & Spa Code, as noted in the booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Permit validity: Not publicly listed; confirm with the Building Department. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Owner-builder: All permit holders must ensure contractors and subcontractors hold a valid City of Union business license before work begins; the permit is the owner's responsibility. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
Contractor requirements: Contractors must have a City of Union business license prior to starting work, as noted in the booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published; contact the Building Department for an update. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

01

Prepare a plot plan/site plan plus two sets of detailed drawings (foundation, floor, wall, stair, elevations, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing information) per the checklist in the New Home Booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
02

Fill out the building permit application with contractor/owner information, estimated construction cost, floodplain status, and water/sewer/meter details. 【0†source】citeturn4view0
03

Submit the plans/application, pay the applicable fees based on the 2021 BOCA schedule, and wait for permit issuance before starting work. 【0†source】citeturn3view0
04

Call (636) 583-1805 with at least 24 hours' notice to schedule inspections; post the permit on-site and ensure subcontractors are listed. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Typical processing time: Not published; contact the Building Department for an update. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Source: City of Union Building & Engineering Department. 【0†source】citeturn3view0 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Union building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

minimum per the listed formula section. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Plan check fee

Plan review fees are included in the formula (residential requires two sets of prints, commercial requires two sealed sets). 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Permit fee formula

New construction uses square footage x construction cost x multiplier; garage, remodel, and basement permits have their own square-foot formulas (lines 124-137). 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Reinspection fee

reinspection fee for failed inspections, pressure test failures, or missed approvals. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Fees must be paid in full before any inspections occur. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Call (636) 583-1805 with the permit number and inspection type; voicemail messages will be scheduled if no answer. 【0†source】citeturn3view0 ()

Inspection hours: Not published. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

Typical sequence: Setbacks/zoning verification, floodplain check, address assignment, footing and foundation, under-floor plumbing, water/sewer and electrical conduit, rough-in framing/MEP, fireplace, electric service, drywall, and final/occupancy. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Union permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Union, MO? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Union, MO? ▸

Building permit fees in Union, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is minimum per the listed formula section. 【0†source】citeturn3view0. Fees are calculated as: New construction uses square footage x construction cost x multiplier; garage, remodel, and basement permits have their own square-foot formulas (lines 124-137). 【0†source】citeturn3view0. Plan check fee: Plan review fees are included in the formula (residential requires two sets of prints, commercial requires two sealed sets). 【0†source】citeturn3view0.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Union, MO? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Union, MO, follow these steps: 1. Prepare a plot plan/site plan plus two sets of detailed drawings (foundation, floor, wall, stair, elevations, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing information) per the checklist in the New Home Booklet. 【0†source】citeturn3view0 2. Fill out the building permit application with contractor/owner information, estimated construction cost, floodplain status, and water/sewer/meter details. 【0†source】citeturn4view0 3. Submit the plans/application, pay the applicable fees based on the 2021 BOCA schedule, and wait for permit issuance before starting work. 【0†source】citeturn3view0 4. Call (636) 583-1805 with at least 24 hours' notice to schedule inspections; post the permit on-site and ensure subcontractors are listed. 【0†source】citeturn3view0

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Union, MO? ▸

Building permit processing times in Union, MO typically run Not published; contact the Building Department for an update. 【0†source】citeturn3view0. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Union, MO? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Union, MO. The following work is generally exempt: No publicly posted exempt-work list is provided on the New Home Booklet or permit form; coordinate with the Building Department for clarification. 【0†source】citeturn3view0. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Union, MO? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Union, MO via: Call (636) 583-1805 with the permit number and inspection type; voicemail messages will be scheduled if no answer. 【0†source】citeturn3view0.

last verified April 2026 source City of Union Building & Engineering Department. 【0†source】citeturn3view0 ↗ entry id permits/missouri/franklin/city-of-union

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Union Building & Engineering Department. 【0†source】citeturn3view0 before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Union

Other jurisdictions in Franklin County.