Kansas City building permits
Building permits in Kansas City are issued by the City Planning and Development Department (building official: Director of City Planning and Development)1. You can apply and request inspections online through compasskc.kcmo.org2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Kansas City
- Kansas City building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Kansas City
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Kansas City
- Building without a permit in Kansas City
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Missouri rules that also apply in Kansas City
- Sources
Building department contacts
City Planning and Development Department (building official: Director of City Planning and Development)1
Building permits
- Apply online
- compasskc.kcmo.org2
- Phone
- (816) 513-15003
- [email protected]3
- Address
- 414 E. 12th St., City Hall, 15th floor, Kansas City, MO 641063
- Hours
- Monday-Friday (except holidays), 8:00 AM-5:00 PM3
- Inspections
- Request at least one working day ahead if the building official requires it; in writing or by telephone at the building official's option4
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: data.kcmo.org5.
Building codes in force in Kansas City
These are the model codes Kansas City enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Missouri building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | International Building Code (2018)6 | 20186 | – | Ordinance No. 220353 (Committee Substitute)6 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | International Residential Code (2018)7 | 20187 | – | Ordinance No. 220364 (Committee Substitute)7 |
| Energy code, residential | International Energy Conservation Code (2021)8 | 20218 | 7 | Ordinance No. 260144 (Committee Substitute)8 |
| Energy code, commercial | International Energy Conservation Code (2021)8 | 20218 | 7 | Ordinance No. 260144 (Committee Substitute)8 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | National Electrical Code (2017)1 | 20171 | – | Ordinance No. 200418 (Committee Substitute)9 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | International Fuel Gas Code (2018)1 | 20181 | – | Ordinance No. 200418 (Committee Substitute)9 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | International Mechanical Code (2018)1 | 20181 | – | Ordinance No. 200418 (Committee Substitute)9 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | Uniform Plumbing Code (2018)1 | 20181 | – | Ordinance No. 200418 (Committee Substitute)9 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | International Existing Building Code (2018)1 | 20181 | – | Ordinance No. 200418 (Committee Substitute)9 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2018 Edition of the International Fire Code10 | 201810 | – | Ordinance No. 19020210 |
Transition rules. 901.
Kansas City building permit fees
Fees come from the Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-20, Fees (as enacted by Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 220612)4.
How valuation is set. Total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued4.
Each line is worded as in Kansas City’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| One- and two-family detached dwelling permit fee, total valuation $0.00--$1,000.00 | Based on project valuation | $0.00--$1,000.00 … $52.004 |
| One- and two-family detached dwelling permit fee, total valuation $1,001.00--$2,000.00 | Based on project valuation | $1,001.00--$2,000.00 … $58.004 |
| One- and two-family detached dwelling permit fee, $2,001.00--$100,000.00: for the first $2,000.00 | Based on project valuation | For the first $2,000.00 … $58.004 |
| One- and two-family detached dwelling permit fee, $2,001.00--$100,000.00: each additional $1,000.00 or fraction | Based on project valuation | Plus, for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00 … $4.334 |
| One- and two-family detached dwelling permit fee, $100,001.00 and over: for the first $100,000.00 | Based on project valuation | For the first $100,000.00 … $483.004 |
| One- and two-family detached dwelling permit fee, $100,001.00 and over: each additional $1,000.00 or fraction | Based on project valuation | Plus, for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof … $1.414 |
| Demolition permit, one- and two-family dwellings and detached accessory buildings per building | Flat fee | buildings per building … $90.004 |
| Pre-demolition inspection fee, one and two family detached dwellings per building | Flat fee | One and two family detached dwellings per building: … $38.004 |
| Supplementary permit fee minimum | Minimum fee | The minimum supplemental permit fee assessed shall be $54.00.4 |
| Fast track permit fee | Expedited review | The fee for a fast track permit issued prior to approval of plans review shall be $ 80.00.4 |
| Scheduled express review fee | Expedited review | When scheduled express review is requested by the applicant, a fee of $ 30.00 for one- and two-family dwellings and a fee of $ 75.00 for all other structures shall be assessed.4 |
| Renewal of expired permit | – | The fee to renew an expired permit shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original construction documents for such work, and provided further that any suspension or abandonment of the work has not exceeded one year.4 |
| Reinspection fee | Re-inspection | When work for which an inspection is requested is not complete (not ready when inspector arrives) or when deficiencies identified on two previous inspection events have not been completed a fee of $ 75.00 shall be assessed and no further inspections shall be completed until such fee is paid.4 |
| Inspections outside of normal business hours | After-hours inspection | When the permit holder requests inspections outside of normal business hours, a fee of $ 60.00 per hour, to include travel time, with a minimum fee of $ 238.00 shall be assessed for such service.4 |
| Electrical service reconnect fee | Flat fee | When a request is made by a property owner for an inspection of an existing electrical service for the purpose of approving the electric utility connection, a fee of $ 54.00 shall be assessed.4 |
| Work started without permit | Work started without a permit | Where work for which any permit is required by this article is started prior to obtaining the permit, the fee specified for such permit shall be tripled.4 |
How to get a building permit in Kansas City
- File a written permit application on the building official's form1
- State the valuation of the work1
- Application and construction documents are reviewed; permit issued once compliant and fees paid1
- Request each required inspection when work is ready4
- Final inspection and approval4
- Certificate of occupancy before use/occupancy1
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- 180 days1
- Extensions
- Inspection within the 180-day period keeps the permit active; expired permit renewal at one-half the new-permit fee1
Inspections in Kansas City
Kansas City’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Footing or foundation inspection4
- Concrete slab or under-floor inspection4
- Prebackfill inspection4
- Rough-in inspection4
- Masonry throat inspection (masonry fireplaces)4
- Demolition (basement and sewer) inspection4
- Final inspection4
- How to schedule
- Request at least one working day ahead if the building official requires it; in writing or by telephone at the building official's option4
- Re-inspection fee
- When work for which an inspection is requested is not complete (not ready when inspector arrives) or when deficiencies identified on two previous inspection events have not been completed a fee of $ 75.00 shall be assessed and no further inspections shall be completed until such fee is paid.4
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of occupancy1
Building without a permit in Kansas City
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-20(e)(2) | Work requiring a permit started before the permit is obtained4 | 3 times4 | Special investigation before the after-the-fact permit is issued4 |
| Higher permit fee Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-20(e)(2) | Owner-occupant exception to the tripled fee4 | – | – |
| Criminal penalty Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-15(a) | Any conviction under Chapter 18 except the repeat-violation offenses in 18-15(b)1 | Fine of not more than $500.00, by imprisonment of not more than 180 days, or by both1 | – |
| Criminal penalty Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-15(b) | Failure to obtain a permit, or working without a permit (repeat-violation schedule)1 | Second conviction: $250.00 to $500.001 | – |
| Daily fine Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-13(b) | Each day a violation continues1 | Each day is a separate offense1 | – |
| Stop-work order Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-9(g) | Work pursued contrary to the Code of Ordinances or in an unsafe manner1 | Written stop work order1 | – |
| Permit revoked Kansas City, Mo., Code of Ordinances § 18-19(d)(1) | Permits issued in error, on incorrect information, or in violation of code1 | Suspension or revocation in writing1 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner electrical work
- Yes1
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes1
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Dwelling and accessory buildings must be occupied by the owner1
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes11
Missouri rules that also apply in Kansas City
- Contractor licensing in Missouri
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Missouri
- Private plan review and inspections in Missouri
Sources
- Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 200418, Compared Version (Chapter 18 Building and Rehabilitation Code)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted June 2020Checked November 7, 2026
- Permits - CPD Dataset (Open Data KC)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Open Data KCLast updated May 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- City Planning & Development DepartmentCity of Kansas City, MissouriChecked November 6, 2026
- Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 220612 (final Legistar version text)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted October 27, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- City Issued Permits (Open Data KC)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Open Data KCLast updated November 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 220353 (final Legistar version text)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted May 19, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 220364 (final Legistar version text)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted October 13, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 260144 (final Legistar version text)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted February 5, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Legistar matter 200418City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted June 2020Checked November 6, 2026
- Legistar matter 190202City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted July 7, 2019Checked November 6, 2026
- Information Bulletin No. 146: Homeowner's Exception to Licensing for Building Trades Permit IssuanceCity of Kansas City, Missouri, City Planning & Development DepartmentRevised August 29, 2023Checked November 6, 2026