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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for St. James
City permit application is used for new 1-2 family residential construction; city code also regulates building, electrical, and occupancy matters
The public code excerpt reviewed shows permit exemptions for:
One-story detached accessory sheds, playhouses, and similar uses at 36 square feet or less
Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade and not on an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary stage sets and scenery
Small prefabricated pools meeting the listed size and depth limits
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Certain window awnings
Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and low partitions
Flag poles
Replacement of siding, doors, and windows
Replacement of roof coverings that do not change the roof size or roof line
- Exempt The public code excerpt reviewed shows permit exemptions for:
- Exempt One-story detached accessory sheds, playhouses, and similar uses at 36 square feet or less
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade and not on an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Small prefabricated pools meeting the listed size and depth limits
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Certain window awnings
- Exempt Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and low partitions
- Exempt Flag poles
- Exempt Replacement of siding, doors, and windows
- Exempt Replacement of roof coverings that do not change the roof size or roof line
Required documents
- When a permit is required: City permit application is used for new 1-2 family residential construction; city code also regulates building, electrical, and occupancy matters
- Required documents: Sketch drawing, County GIS lot image, and sometimes engineered plans
- Permit validity/expiration: Not clearly stated on the public page reviewed
- Owner-builder rules if available: Not clearly stated on the public page reviewed
- Contractor license requirements: Public application does not show a city contractor license rule, but the city requires business license and workers compensation documentation for construction businesses
- Building code adopted: 2015 ICC Building Codes and 2014 NEC
- Building code
- 2015 ICC Building Codes and 2014 NEC
- Permit validity
- Not clearly stated on the public page reviewed
- Owner-builder
- Not clearly stated on the public page reviewed
- Contractor requirements
- Public application does not show a city contractor license rule, but the city requires business license and workers compensation documentation for construction businesses
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not stated on the public page reviewed
- 01 Complete the permit application
- 02 Attach a lot sketch from County GIS and any required engineered plans
- 03 Submit to the code official by email or other city-directed method
- 04 City review occurs under the adopted building and electrical codes
- 05 Pay permit fees in full
- 06 Permit is issued once all city requirements and utility-related items are satisfied
Typical processing time: Not stated on the public page reviewed
Source: Department of Building and Code Enforcement / Code Official ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
St. James building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not clearly stated in the public permit application reviewed
02
Plan check fee
Not clearly stated on the public page reviewed
03
Permit fee formula
Permit fee details were not clearly visible in the public permit PDF reviewed
04
Reinspection fee
Failure to comply may lead to a stop work order or fines, but a separate reinspection fee was not found in the public sources reviewed
City says permits must be paid in full before issuance
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Footing and foundation inspections must be scheduled 24 hours in advance ()
- Inspection hours
- City Hall hours are not fully shown in the permit PDF reviewed
Typical sequence: Footing/foundation first, then other inspections as needed before final approval
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about St. James permits
01 Do I need a building permit in St. James, MO? ▸
City permit application is used for new 1-2 family residential construction; city code also regulates building, electrical, and occupancy matters
02 How much does a building permit cost in St. James, MO? ▸
Building permit fees in St. James, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not clearly stated in the public permit application reviewed. Fees are calculated as: Permit fee details were not clearly visible in the public permit PDF reviewed. Plan check fee: Not clearly stated on the public page reviewed.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in St. James, MO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in St. James, MO, follow these steps: 1. Complete the permit application 2. Attach a lot sketch from County GIS and any required engineered plans 3. Submit to the code official by email or other city-directed method 4. City review occurs under the adopted building and electrical codes 5. Pay permit fees in full 6. Permit is issued once all city requirements and utility-related items are satisfied
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in St. James, MO? ▸
Building permit processing times in St. James, MO typically run Not stated on the public page reviewed. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in St. James, MO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in St. James, MO. The following work is generally exempt: The public code excerpt reviewed shows permit exemptions for:; One-story detached accessory sheds, playhouses, and similar uses at 36 square feet or less; Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade and not on an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary stage sets and scenery; Small prefabricated pools meeting the listed size and depth limits; Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Certain window awnings; Non-fixed movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and low partitions; Flag poles; Replacement of siding, doors, and windows; Replacement of roof coverings that do not change the roof size or roof line. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in St. James, MO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in St. James, MO via: Footing and foundation inspections must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
last verified April 2026
source Department of Building and Code Enforcement / Code Official ↗
entry id permits/missouri/phelps/st-james
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Building and Code Enforcement / Code Official before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.