Building permits in Kansas City, Missouri
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Kansas City, 1 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Kansas City
One thing Kansas City does not make you permit
Worth knowing before you call anyone. Most jurisdictions we cover require all of these.
- Fence Permit
No city permit is needed to build a residential fence. Approval is only needed if you want to exceed the height limits in Chapter 27, which is a special exception application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Kansas City, Missouri City Planning and Development Department, Development Management Division (construction permits are issued by the department's Permits Division on the 5th floor of City Hall)
- City Planning and Development Department, Permits Division, City Hall 5th floor, 414 E 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
- Phone: 816-513-1500
- Email: cdpermits@kcmo.org
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Kansas City
Kansas City runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in Kansas City
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Kansas City, 1 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | height of a platform or deck above grade at any point, where it is also not located over any basement or story below | A deck over the exemption is a building permit priced from the one- and two-family... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Not specified | Electrical permits for one- and two-family detached dwellings are priced from the same... |
| Fence Permit | No permit needed | Not specified | There is no fence permit and no fence permit fee. |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Not specified | Mechanical permits for one- and two-family detached dwellings run on the same valuation... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Not specified | A flat patio on existing grade is exempt and costs nothing. |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Not specified | Plumbing permits for one- and two-family detached dwellings use the Sec. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | water capacity of a prefabricated above ground pool accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling that is also less than 24 inches deep with its walls entirely above the adjacent grade | The pool building permit is priced from the one- and two-family valuation table in Sec. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | Not specified | An exempt reroof costs nothing. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | projected roof area of a one-story detached accessory building used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse, garage, carport or similar use | A shed that needs a permit is a general building permit priced from the one- and... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Each trade permit is priced from the one- and two-family valuation table in Sec. |
Planning a project in Kansas City?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project