City Building Permits
Kansas City, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Kansas City, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies within Kansas City, Missouri city limits in Jackson County and other counties where KCMO extends
- Department
- City of Kansas City, Missouri City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division
- Address
- 414 E 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
- Phone
- 816-513-1500
- cdpermits@kcmo.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CompassKC • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Review the applicable information bulletin and development guide for the project type
- Create a CompassKC account and submit the application with all required plans and supporting documentation
- Route through zoning, plan review, and any required interdepartmental reviews
- Address review comments until plans are approved
- Pay permit and plan review fees in CompassKC
- Receive the issued permit and allow trade subcontractors to obtain sub-permits as needed
- Schedule inspections through CompassKC, by phone, or by email through final approval
Typical processing time: City states complete applications move under posted guideline timelines; exact time varies by permit type and completeness
Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division
General Requirements
Permits are required for most building, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, demolition, and related work done in KCMO
Required Documents
- When a permit is required: Permits are required for most building, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, demolition, and related work done in KCMO
- Required documents: Project-specific plans and forms under the applicable information bulletin, such as IB100 for one- and two-family residential work
- Permit validity/expiration: City states construction must begin within 180 days after issuance and at least one inspection must occur every 180 days or the permit expires
- Owner-builder rules if available: City information bulletins govern applicant eligibility; project-specific rules vary by permit type
- Contractor license requirements: Trade and specialty work requires the applicable licensed permit holder under city rules
- Building code adopted: KCMO public guidance references the KCMO Building and Rehabilitation Code and Chapter 18 local amendments; current adopted editions are administered through that code set
- Permit validity
- City states construction must begin within 180 days after issuance and at least one inspection must occur every 180 days or the permit expires
- Building code
- KCMO public guidance references the KCMO Building and Rehabilitation Code and Chapter 18 local amendments; current adopted editions are administered through that code set
- Owner-builder
- City information bulletins govern applicant eligibility; project-specific rules vary by permit type
- Contractor requirements
- Trade and specialty work requires the applicable licensed permit holder under city rules
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Use city fee calculator / schedule for current minimums by permit type
- Plan check fee
- Included through city fee schedule and estimator tools
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based for many building permits with separate calculators for permit, plan check, and site disturbance fees
- Reinspection fee
- Additional fees and extension charges may apply under city code and fee schedule
- Payment note
- Fees are paid through CompassKC before permit issuance
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Kansas City, Missouri City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CompassKC, phone at 816-513-1500, or email request ()
- Inspection hours
- Next-day cut-off is 4:00 pm; certain two-hour priority inspections can be called in until 1:00 pm
Typical inspection sequence: Follow applicable information bulletin; city notes required inspections vary by permit scope and department
Additional Resources
- Building code: KCMO public guidance references the KCMO Building and Rehabilitation Code and Chapter 18 local amendments; current adopted editions are administered through that code set
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- kcmo.gov
- kcmo.gov
- 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 Kansas City, Missouri City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas City Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Kansas City, MO?
- Permits are required for most building, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, demolition, and related work done in KCMO
- How much does a building permit cost in Kansas City, MO?
- The minimum permit fee is Use city fee calculator / schedule for current minimums by permit type. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for many building permits with separate calculators for permit, plan check, and site disturbance fees. Plan check fee: Included through city fee schedule and estimator tools.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Kansas City, MO?
- 1. Review the applicable information bulletin and development guide for the project type 2. Create a CompassKC account and submit the application with all required plans and supporting documentation 3. Route through zoning, plan review, and any required interdepartmental reviews 4. Address review comments until plans are approved 5. Pay permit and plan review fees in CompassKC 6. Receive the issued permit and allow trade subcontractors to obtain sub-permits as needed 7. Schedule inspections through CompassKC, by phone, or by email through final approval
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Kansas City, MO?
- Typical processing time is City states complete applications move under posted guideline timelines; exact time varies by permit type and completeness.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Kansas City, MO?
- The following work is generally exempt: City publishes a dedicated exempt-work page for building permit exemptions; Minor categories listed there should still be checked against trade-specific rules before work starts.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Kansas City, MO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CompassKC, phone at 816-513-1500, or email request.
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