Building Permits - Residential

With few exceptions, building permits are required for the projects listed below. Certain information must be electronically provided to Development Services to obtain a permit. The information needed varies depending on the type of project being constructed.

Other Projects - For projects that do not require plans, please fill out the Scope of Work application, and email it to devtech@cityofls.net. For more information contact devtech@cityofls.net, call 816.969.1200 or visit City Hall.


One and Two-Family Dwellings, Townhomes & Room Additions Over 600 Square Feet

  1. Applicant must submit the following items through the online portal by visiting devservices.cityofls.net:
    • One set of building drawings – sealed and signed by a Missouri registered design professional
    • One copy of the plot plan
    • One completed Residential Permit Application
    • One completed License Tax Application (if building a new one or two-family dwelling, or townhome)
  2. Upon receipt of these items, Development Services will perform a plan review and calculate the permit and license tax totals based on the information provided on the respective applications. If there are issues with the plans, the plans examiner will contact the permit applicant. A Plan Review Checklist is used in the review of each set of plans.
  3. The Plot Plan will be reviewed by Development Services. A Plot Plan Checklist is used in the review of each plot plan. Development Services will contact the surveyor for any corrections.
  4. Once the plot plan and house plans have been approved and all of the permit and license tax totals have been calculated, fees shall be paid online. Once fees are paid the permit will be issued to the applicant.
  5. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so compliance with the building code may be verified.

Please allow two (2) business days for each submittal/resubmittal to be reviewed. It may take more time if issues arise. Examples of issues that commonly cause time delays are:

  • incomplete applications
  • errors in the plot plan
  • issues with house plans.

Payment must be made online at the time the permit is issued. License tax and permit fees may be paid in one transaction. To check the status of a permit application visit devservices.cityofls.net or contact Development Services at 816.969.1200.

Please note a minimum of a Class "C" Contractor's license for the City of Lee's Summit is required to obtain a permit for construction of a new one or two-family dwelling, townhome or room addition. Effective January 1, 2010, all contractors must show proof of certification in order to obtain a business license. Homeowners may act as their own general contractor on a single-family home they will be residing in and must obtain a business license, but are not required to show proof of contractor certification.


Room Additions 600 Square Feet or Less

Permits are required for room additions to existing structures. To obtain a permit for a room addition, the following steps must be followed:

  1. Applicant submits the following items to Development Services by email to devtech@cityofls.net. 
    • Scope of Work permit application
    • Plot plan showing the location of the proposed addition, drawn to scale.
    • Building plan showing the use of each room in the addition, drawn to scale or dimensioned so square footage may be determined
  2. Upon receipt of these items, Development Services will have the plot plan reviewed for property line setback compliance.
  3. Once the plot plan is approved, Development Services will calculate the permit fees based on the information submitted and the permit will be issued online via email. The permit fee will be due at this time, which is payable online at devservices.cityofls.net.
  4. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so that compliance with the building code may be verified.

A minimum Class "C" Contractor's license is required to obtain a permit for a room addition. Homeowners may act as their own general contractor without having to show proof of certification.


Decks

Permits are required to build or replace/repair decks when the floor surface is more than 30” above the adjacent ground level. To obtain a permit for a deck, the following steps must be followed:

  1. Applicant submits the following items to Development Services by email to devtech@cityofls.net:
    •  Scope of Work permit application
    • Plot plan showing the location of the proposed deck, drawn to scale, showing dimensions of the deck, as well as the dimensions from the deck to the rear and side property lines. 
    • Building plan showing the construction details of the deck, drawn to scale or dimensioned so square footage may be determined.
  2. Upon receipt of these items, Development Services will have the plot plan reviewed for property line setback compliance.
  3. Once the plot plan is approved, Development Services will calculate the permit fees based on the information submitted and the permit will be issued via email. The permit fee will be due at this time, which is payable online at devservices.cityofls.net.  
  4. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so that compliance with the building code may be verified. 

Covered Decks and Patios

Permits are required to build or replace/repair covered decks and patios. To obtain a permit for a covered deck or patio, the following steps must be followed:

  1. Applicant submits the following items to Development Services by email to devtech@cityofls.net:
    • Scope of Work permit application
    • Plot plan showing the location of the proposed deck or patio, drawn to scale, showing dimensions of the deck/patio, as well as the dimensions from the deck/patio to the rear and side property lines. 
    • Building plan showing the construction details of the covered deck/patio, signed and sealed by a Missouri registered design professional, drawn to scale or dimensioned so square footage may be determined.
  2. Upon receipt of these items, Development Services will review for property line setback compliance. 
  3. Once the plot plan is approved, Development Services will calculate the permit fees based on the information submitted and the permit will be issued via email. The permit fee will be due at this time, which is payable online at devservices.cityofls.net.
  4. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so that compliance with the building code may be verified.

A minimum Class "C" Contractor's license is required if the covered deck is over 400 square feet. Homeowners acting as their own contractor are not required to show proof of contractor certification.


Basement Finishes

Permits are required to finish a basement. To obtain a permit for a basement finish, the following steps must be followed:

  1. Submit a Scope of Work permit application to devtech@cityofls.net
  2. Applicant must also submit a floor plan of the basement finish, including the layout of the space, use of each room, egress location(s), smoke and carbon monoxide detector(s), electrical panel, furnace and water heater locations. The plan must be drawn to scale with the square footage labeled.
  3. Upon receipt of the plans, Development Services will calculate the permit fees based on the information submitted and the permit will be issued via email. The permit fees will be due at this time, payable online. 
  4. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so that compliance with the building code may be verified.

Detached Accessory Structures (such as sheds and garages)

Permits are required for detached accessory structures over 120 square feet in floor area. To obtain a permit for a detached accessory structure, the following steps must be followed:

  1. Applicant submits the following items via email to  devtech@cityofls.net.
    • Scope of Work permit application
    • Plot plan showing the location of the proposed addition drawn to scale, dimensions of the structure, as well as the dimensions from the structure to the rear and side property lines.
    • Building plan showing the use of the structure, drawn to scale or dimensioned so square footage may be determined. If over 600 square feet, the drawings must be signed and sealed by a design professional registered in the state of Missouri.
  2. Upon receipt of these items, Development Services will have the plot plan reviewed for property line setback compliance.
  3. Once the plot plan is approved, Development Services will calculate the permit fees based on the information submitted and the permit will be issued via email. The permit fee will be due at the time of permit issuance and is payable online.
  4. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so that compliance with the building code may be verified. (structures over 120 square feet are also required to be on a permanent 12" deep footing).

Fences

Permits are not required for fences. Fences in residential zoning districts are limited to 6’ maximum height in the rear and side yards (behind the front face of the house) and 4' maximum height in the front yard. Residential fences may not be constructed with barbed wire and may not be electrified. The finished side of the fence must face outward toward adjoining properties or streets. Fences may be constructed to the property line. For restrictions on fencing in the front yard, contact Development Services at 816-969-1200.


Swimming Pools/Hot Tubs – Residential, Private

Permits are required for the installation of swimming pools, whether above ground or in ground. To obtain a permit for a swimming pool, submit the following items to devtech@cityofls.net.

  1. Scope of Work permit application
  2. Pool-hot tub-sauna fencing acknowledgment to be signed by the homeowner
  3. Submit a plot plan drawn to scale, showing the location and dimensions of the proposed pool, the dimensions from the pool to the house or covered deck, whichever is closer, as well as the dimensions from the pool to the rear and side property lines. The deck surrounding the pool, whether concrete or wood, must also be shown. The construction valuation (cost of labor and materials for the pool and installation) must be included as well.
  4. Upon receipt of this plot plan, Development Services staff will have the plot plan reviewed for property line setback compliance. For in-ground pools only, utility easement setback compliance must also be checked by Public Works. Above-ground pools can be reviewed in a few minutes and can be completed via email. In-ground pools generally take two full business days to review and are processed via email as well.
  5. Once the plot plan is approved, Development Services will calculate the permit fees and issue the permit. The permit fees will be due at this time and are payable online.
  6. Upon issuance of a building permit, certain inspections are required so that compliance with the building code may be verified. See below for more information.