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 only in the Kansas City limits portion of Platte County, not to the rest of Platte County
- Department
- City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division
- Address
- 414 E. 12th St., City Hall, 5th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64106
- Phone
- (816) 513-1500 option 1
- cdpermits@kcmo.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CompassKC • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Create or log into a CompassKC account
- Start the permit application through CompassKC and upload plans and supporting documents
- Complete departmental review and respond to correction comments
- Pay invoiced fees in CompassKC
- Permit is issued in CompassKC; inspections and record access continue through the same system
Typical processing time: Not uniformly published; zoning compliance letters are published at 15 business days, while permit timelines vary by scope and review complexity
Source: City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division
General Requirements
KCMO states permits are required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, changing occupancy, or installing or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems
Required Documents
- When a permit is required: KCMO states permits are required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, changing occupancy, or installing or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems
- Required documents: CompassKC application, plans, and project-specific support documents; a sealed land survey is required for new structures, additions including vertical additions, and exterior-envelope changes, subject to listed small residential exceptions
- Permit validity/expiration: Not clearly captured from the public permit page reviewed
- Owner-builder rules if available: Homeowners are expressly allowed as walk-in exceptions and may apply directly for homeowner work
- Contractor license requirements: KCMO requires contractor licensing for regulated construction-related trade work. Businesses must obtain business license, certificate of qualification where applicable, and contractor license through CompassKC
- Building code adopted: Kansas City Building and Rehabilitation Code based on the 2018 model code update effective June 28, 2020; 2021 IECC effective July 1, 2023 with local amendments
- Permit validity
- Not clearly captured from the public permit page reviewed
- Building code
- Kansas City Building and Rehabilitation Code based on the 2018 model code update effective June 28, 2020; 2021 IECC effective July 1, 2023 with local amendments
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners are expressly allowed as walk-in exceptions and may apply directly for homeowner work
- Contractor requirements
- KCMO requires contractor licensing for regulated construction-related trade work. Businesses must obtain business license, certificate of qualification where applicable, and contractor license through CompassKC
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Check current schedule
- Plan check fee
- Included in the Building and Development Fee Schedule
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed schedule by permit and review type
- Reinspection fee
- Included in the Building and Development Fee Schedule and inspection program
- Payment note
- Fees are invoiced and paid through CompassKC
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through CompassKC and the Inspections Division ()
- Inspection hours
- Walk-in permit hours were posted as 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday on the permit page notice; inspection windows depend on assigned inspection type
Typical inspection sequence: Varies by project; special inspections may also be required under the Building and Rehabilitation Code
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kansas City Building and Rehabilitation Code based on the 2018 model code update effective June 28, 2020; 2021 IECC effective July 1, 2023 with local amendments
- 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 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?
- KCMO states permits are required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, changing occupancy, or installing or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems
- How much does a building permit cost in Kansas City, MO?
- The minimum permit fee is Check current schedule. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule by permit and review type. Plan check fee: Included in the Building and Development Fee Schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Kansas City, MO?
- 1. Create or log into a CompassKC account 2. Start the permit application through CompassKC and upload plans and supporting documents 3. Complete departmental review and respond to correction comments 4. Pay invoiced fees in CompassKC 5. Permit is issued in CompassKC; inspections and record access continue through the same system
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Kansas City, MO?
- Typical processing time is Not uniformly published; zoning compliance letters are published at 15 business days, while permit timelines vary by scope and review complexity.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Kansas City, MO?
- The following work is generally exempt: KCMO publishes a separate exempt-work page rather than summarizing all exemptions on the permit page; Use the city's exempt-work page before relying on an exemption because KCMO treats most regulated construction work as permit-triggering.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Kansas City, MO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Through CompassKC and the Inspections Division.
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